P-Move works to aid poor while trying to steer clear of politics

The P-Move began its mass rally outside Government House last Monday and vowed to continue it peacefully until people’s problems are addressed.

The P-Move is the latest umbrella group of poor farmers and underprivileged people from rural areas and cities, who have been affected by state projects and other government policy shifts. 

The main issues they are calling on to be addressed, can be grouped into 10 areas based on their networks: 

1)  The network of slum communities in four regions; 

2) The federation of northern farmers; 

3)  The network of land reforms for northeastern people; 

4)   The Assembly of the Poor for Pak Mool Dam; 

5)   The network of communities for social, political reform;

6)  The network for land reforms in the Banthad Mountains;

7)  The federation of southern farmers;

8)   The network of farmers under social contracts;

9)  The network of individual rights; and 

10) People affected by bio-mass power plants.

In the current climate of political discord, whenever a group holds a demonstration it is asked which political side it belongs to.

Paijit Silarak, a P-Move coordinator, said: “I admit that in the current political situation, this campaign is under a lot of strain and we really face big pressure. 

“But the people have to deal with so many tremendous problems, we feel it’s our duty to come out and campaign on their behalf. We have to demonstrate to the government that these groups and the plights that they face must be addressed – we are not a political movement looking to take one side or another.”

Paijit said P-Move initially planned to hold a rally in April, but Parliament was still in session and there were conflicts on a number of contentious political issues, including the amnesty bill and charter amendment bills. 

“We feared that our rally would have been linked to political conflicts, so we waited for the Parliament to rest first. But now, despite a pro-government rally against the Constitutional Court, we felt we could no longer postpone the event. Moreover, the rainy season is nearly upon us, which could make it rather difficult for us to demonstrate,” she said.

One part of the P-Move is the Assembly of the Poor – once a powerful civil group, although its strengths have been eroded by national political conflicts and its leaders have scattered to take opposing sides in political dissent.

When remaining members of the Assembly of the Poor held a rite to honour the passing of their leader Wanida Tantiwitthayapitak in late 2009, they had a chance to hold serious talks about forming a real people’s movement. They realised that problems people face had in fact worsened and so they reunited to form the P-Move. 

Now, P-Move founders and leaders are trying their best to keep it free from political conflict.

P-Move made its debut in early 2010 by holding a rally to demand assistance from the Abhisit Vejjajiva government.

“Several former Assembly of the Poor leaders, who used to fight alongside villagers and had good understanding of their needs, wanted to visit us to provide moral support after they left to join either the yellow-shirt or red-shirt movements. Unfortunately, we had to decline their offers for fear that they might taint our organisation with their views,” Paijit said.

She said the P-Move had to be careful when giving interviews to the media, since it often takes a political stance. She said the group tends to send its second-tier and third-tier leaders to give interviews, so as to avoid being perceived as politically biased.

Blue Sky and ASTV stations recently interviewed P-Move and the group sent its second- and third-tier representatives to answer questions. So far, the group has not been invited to talk on any TV channels campaigning for the red shirts, she noted.

“It’s very difficult – but also very important – that we portray ourselves as impartial. It’s something we are working on. However, we affirm that we don’t belong to any political faction. No matter which party becomes the government, we will hold demonstrations as long as our problems still have to be addressed,” Paijit said.

Recently, however, there has been significant progress in the government’s handling of issues P-Move members are facing. 

Working panels set up by the prime minister have reached several agreements with the group, but the agreements have not yet been submitted for Cabinet approval. As a result, villagers in several areas are still facing legal action. 

P-Move is now focusing efforts on pressuring the Cabinet to table critical issues of people need addressed.