Hunger strike will test corporate sincerity

Urban environmental and community destruction is rife, so it’s good to see people confronting those who cause it and enable it.
In the same Pathumwan locality as the one mentioned in the story, another residential group has informed the CEO of a US-based international hospitality corporation of its intention to mount a hunger strike in protest against the continued illegal operation of a central Bangkok luxury hotel. “[The protest] is designed to reflect the people’s utter disgust at the criminal levels of corruption and non-transparency” and the corporate silence of many years.
Though the protest is not due to commence for some time, this early announcement is intended to provide the company ample opportunity to demonstrate in a public way that its ethical online statements – regarding transparency, sustainability, corporate integrity, responsible business, global stewardship and human rights – are sincere and not simply shallow lies or worthless rhetoric.
Many Bangkok embassies have already been alerted to the dangers of this establishment. Gradually, the worldwide media will be invited to play a part, along with travel associations and the CEOs of other hospitality groups, to name but a few. Sadly, “hotel corruption” is becoming a serious global issue. Who is actually responsible for monitoring the rampant growth and “conduct unbecoming” of this industry and who is championing the rights of the travelling public and local communities affected by tourism? Nobody, it seems.
In this case, the choices are simple: profit or people first, transparency and corporate communication or death-by-hunger strike? The humanitarian credentials of the apparently ungoverned hospitality industry are to be tested to the limit.
John Shepherd