“Anutin” opens the ministry to talk to slum protesters in 4 regions to discuss solutions to the problems of land for farming and housing, emphasizing the aim to solve all suffering within the framework of the law. The protesters were satisfied and dispersed to return home.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, along with Deputy Minister of Interior Songsak Thongsri and Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration Orasith Sampantharat met with approximately 150 protesters from the 4 Regions Slum Network who had gathered on Atsadang Road in front of the Ministry of Interior to demand that government agencies resolve issues of housing rights and land use for communities on public land.
Mr. Anutin said during the meeting with the protesters that the land for farming issues and all the suffering of the people are issues that the government led by Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister, has the intention and determination to take care of the problems of t
he people for the best quality of life and the least suffering. After receiving information from the civil servants, he thinks that the issues raised by the protesters are solvable. And from discussions with all parties, everyone agrees that they will help solve the problems for the people. He asked the protesters to send representatives to discuss further.
‘When you arrive at my house, I come to meet you. I am concerned. Please send a representative to talk and then go home. Let us solve the problem to the satisfaction of our people and it is not against the law. Here, food and toilets are inconvenient. If you feel unwell, it will be bad. We will accept the offer, listen to the suffering and find a solution together,’ said Mr. Anutin.
After meeting with the protesters for about 15 minutes, Mr. Anutin proceeded as requested by the protesters to open a meeting room at the ministry for the protesters’ representatives to discuss various proposals with the representatives of the Ministry of Interior to find a s
olution to the problem that benefits the people under the framework of the law.
Then at 1:00 p.m., Mr. Anutin presided over a meeting between the executives of the Ministry of Interior and the protesters’ representatives. They listened to the reflections on various issues that the protesters’ representatives wanted the Ministry of Interior to help with. Mr. Anutin emphasized that they should believe that whatever the problem is or what will benefit the people, especially low-income earners and farmers, the elected government has no other way out except to help the people solve it. However, it must be based on principles that do not violate the law or the constitution. If they do not believe in this, it will be difficult to talk. If any issues are in the regulations of the Ministry of Interior, such as cases where old regulations are obstacles and can be improved by the authority of the Ministry of Interior and are under the law, they will be expedited.
From the discussion, the Ministry of Interior received
in principle that a committee will be set up between representatives of the affected people, the Ministry of Interior, the National Land Policy Committee (NLPC), and relevant agencies to discuss solving problems in various dimensions, with Mr. Anutin chairing and assigning Mr. Songsak to follow up on the progress. The first meeting of the operational level will be held on October 10, 2024. After that, the results will be presented for policy decisions to Mr. Anutin.
After the meeting ended at approximately 2:00 p.m., Mr. Anutin went to meet the protesters again and gave a summary of the discussion results. The protesters expressed their satisfaction and dispersed to return to their hometowns.
Source: Thai News Agency