The real danger facing citizens of the Kingdom of Thailand regarding land ownership does not come from foreigners wishing to own property for retirement purposes. It comes from corporate interests, both foreign and domestic, seeking large tracts of land for industrial and agricultural purposes; from developers of resorts and condominiums, and from those who would profit from these interests through corrupt means.
District land departments throughout Thailand are reportedly riddled with corruption.
Thousands of rai of land are stolen on an almost daily basis by the very people entrusted with its protection. Fearing no scrutiny, land officials are known to receive their bribe monies in public view.
Poor farmers in Isan will never be displaced by farangs dreaming of growing rice in their old age; rather it is the money lenders, middlemen and ''influential persons'' who regularly remove families from their land. This situation is an unmitigated disgrace.
If the government wishes to protect both public and private land for the benefit of the Thai people, I suggest a comprehensive effort be undertaken to establish the rule of law.
Restricting foreign ownership is just a smokescreen put up to cloak the machinations of those whose callous greed undermines this nation's greatness.
MICHAEL SETTER
Sattahip
This kind Thai Government corruption is a cancer that robs thousands, if not millions of Thai people the chance of leading a rewarding productive life.
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Bruce551
POST BAG Corruption eats the land
Published: 17/06/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
The real danger facing citizens of the Kingdom of Thailand regarding land ownership does not come from foreigners wishing to own property for retirement purposes. It comes from corporate interests, both foreign and domestic, seeking large tracts of land for industrial and agricultural purposes; from developers of resorts and condominiums, and from those who would profit from these interests through corrupt means.
District land departments throughout Thailand are reportedly riddled with corruption.
Thousands of rai of land are stolen on an almost daily basis by the very people entrusted with its protection. Fearing no scrutiny, land officials are known to receive their bribe monies in public view.
Poor farmers in Isan will never be displaced by farangs dreaming of growing rice in their old age; rather it is the money lenders, middlemen and ''influential persons'' who regularly remove families from their land. This situation is an unmitigated disgrace.
If the government wishes to protect both public and private land for the benefit of the Thai people, I suggest a comprehensive effort be undertaken to establish the rule of law.
Restricting foreign ownership is just a smokescreen put up to cloak the machinations of those whose callous greed undermines this nation's greatness.
MICHAEL SETTER
Sattahip
This kind Thai Government corruption is a cancer that robs thousands, if not millions of Thai people the chance of leading a rewarding productive life.
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