New Mandala

Some comments in relation to my post of earlier today. Perhaps it is Tanya Pilbersek who is missing the point in her recent piece in the Sydney Morning Herald. I have no desire to enter into a debate about the merits or otherwise of holding elephants in captivity (perhaps the koalas on their way to Chiang Mai Zoo may want to comment – are there still plans for a wildlife restaurant there?), but the apocalyptic image she paints of Thailand cannot go unchallenged. Yes, there are real environmental and social problems in many parts of Thailand, as there are in Australia, but extreme references to rampant logging, poisonous rivers and impoverished farmers selling their daughters contribute nothing to informed debate about development challenges in our region. Like many countries Thailand has experience substantial deforestation in the past, but there is now an extensive protected area system in place.  Despite ongoing problems, forest protection in Thailand has proven relatively effective and there have even been reports of forest cover increases in recent years. Water quality is a problem in some areas but studies of major river systems regularly suggest contamination below acceptable limits. And, yes, child prostitution is certainly a problem but exaggerated and stereotypical images of poor villagers selling their children are hardly helpful.  And what about Ms Pilbersek’s claim that US$913 represents six years wages in Thailand? In the rural areas where I work, even the poorest landless labourers work for about US$2 per day. Most would regard US$913 as a modest income for only one year. Whatever may be argued about the environmental impacts of its economic growth, Thailand has made enormous gains in terms of poverty reduction. As a Member of Parliament I presume that Ms Pilbersek has access to research resources. Perhaps she should make use of them.