Unnecessary overlap
Re: "'Kai fak' bill approved", (BP, Sept 19).
The new kai fak bill will not provide major improvement to kai fak sellers. Most of the factors cited, such as the right of the seller to redeem within the period of the contract and the capping of interest rates at 15% are already covered by existing laws. To my knowledge, one of the changes will be that the actual termination date of the contract will be stated on the title deed, which will be a small improvement for sellers, since the date will be indisputably registered at the Land Department, rather than only being specified in a separate agreement.
I was recently at a Land Office in the Northeast where the head of the registration was delivering a lecture to those waiting to process transactions informing kai fak sellers of their rights and the pitfalls of kai fak contracts. I had the opportunity to talk to her afterwards and told her I was impressed by her lecture and the efforts she was making to educate kai fak sellers. She told me she gave the lecture every morning but felt frustrated because the farmers don't listen to her. They just want cash quickly and ask where to sign. Later they come and ask her to help them get their land back when it is already too late.
This new law, if it gets promulgated, will only scratch the surface of the problem of the rural population's addiction to high cost credit and, if there were a genuine attempt to make legal kai fak agreements harder for the buyers/lenders, that would only drive rural borrowers deeper into the clutches of loan sharks. The government really needs to address the root causes of rural indebtedness. Reforming the Agriculture Ministry so that it could provide meaningful assistance to help farmers increase their income and reforming the Education Ministry so that it could provide decent educations to their children in rural schools would be fine starting points.
George Morgan
Not a man of his word
In his attempt to create educational reform, how could Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin reconcile his "unaccountability" on the watchgate saga with his proposed "innovative self-assessment", to be conducted by the "head" of each institution in three main areas: classification, verification and concrete development plan?
It's just "surreal" for this public figure to play a leading role in our educational reform.
Yes, I'm talking about the pending "watchgate saga" of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, which Mr Teerakiat condemned while on "official visit" to London in February but backtracked and apologised for the following day. If it were in Japan or South Korea, the minister involved would have resigned forthwith.
If the "real" head of our educational system is still not "accountable" to his own words, how can Thailand proceed with educational reform? Instead, Mr Teerakiat must resign in the interest of the younger Thai generation and the country. He has no integrity, credibility and accountability left.
"Accountability" and "conflict of interest" should be capitalised and included in Thai educational reform.
CK
Why not feed birds?
I love feeding birds in the park. Everyone all over the world does. Unfortunately around Bangkok, I find these signs of not to feed birds.. I feel disappointed.
Kindly educate me and others likewise.
Bird lover
Pigeon police
I was so pleased the Bangkok Post ran another article on the pigeon problem in Wat Rakang.
There is another location where a guy puts bird food and rice next to the wat's crematorium, which results in what looks like 1,000 pigeons congregating on the pavement. Of course their droppings are landing on people and my house, which he lives in! I politely requested him to stop, but he refused and told me to call the police! Therefore, I have no option but to make an issue as they are a hazard for children and motorcyclists when they take off on a group as is typical when they hear a loud noise.
The Bangkok Post should highlight the issue, and I hope to see some action.
A concerned reader
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