ActionAid Thailand collaborated with other local and international organizations to present the campaign on Thai Social Forum with the slogan Another World is Possible at Thammasat University, Rangsit Branch from 21st to 23rd October 2006.
The main aim of the TSF 2006 was to develop closer relationship and understanding among the many diverse civil society networks that exist in Thailand - workers organizations; networks of rural farmers; urban squatter communities; networks on human rights consumer rights womens rights child rights migrant rights anti FTA HIV/AIDS GLBT, etc. This would be achieved through cross-sectional discussions on the common issues of concern such as Peace, Social Equality and Social Security, Opposing Free Market Policies such as FTAs, Strengthening of Peoples Movements and in particular The Thai Civil Society Agenda for Social and Political Reform.
More than 3,000 people attended to the campaign while more than 300 people participated in three classes to debate the forum for the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) prepared by ActionAid Thailand where is organizing tourism development (hotels, resorts, restaurants, food industry, vacation homes, second home, etc.) and infrastructure supporting coastal development.
However, the DASTA had affected to the local villagers who had been living on the island long before authorities declared the area a national park or tourism point. For example, Night Safari in Chiang Mai had affected the lives of the members of four communities and the DASTA does not provide the necessary information to the community members about what effects the project would have on them. The debate forum was gathering feedback from the members of several communities to identify the problems and to provide solutions for them.
TSF also held discussions the issue of youth activities under the Youth programme. Youth for change has collaborated with other organizations to expand and develop a youth networking system that would mobilize youth from various regions to develop their voice and power. The aim is to propose a social infrastructure to the government that would include educational development, child worker issues, media control, issues concerning marginalized groups, etc. The conclusions of the process will be presented to the governor in the form of a proposal for the constitution section in 2007.
Source: http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/27/politics/politics_30014760.php
Source: http://www.iamkohchang.com/News/problems.htm
Source: http://www.tsf2549.org
Source: http://www.ipsnews.org/news.asp?idnews=35117
