ThaiHealth ‘mourns ghosts’ to highlight perils faced by Thailand's youth
The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) used Halloween as an opportunity to “gather ghosts” and “mourn” the children and youth lost to addictions.
In a special event at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on Sunday, the foundation’s director Rungarun Limlahaphan said more and more youngsters in Thailand are getting addicted to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and gambling. She also said that Thailand also loses hundreds of children yearly to road accidents.
Rungarun, who oversees social and health risk issues for the foundation, said some 100,000 youngsters have dropped out of school in the country and at least 60 per cent of them have landed in detention centres.
“Hence it is time for all parties to tackle the risks faced by the young,” she added.
Bangkok deputy governor Sanon Wangsrangboon said adults were to blame for children having such easy access to booze, cigarettes and other vices. In a bid to combat this, he said, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration was looking into setting up areas where children can play safely.
Anulak Iamsri, who leads a network on mitigating risks among the young, said there are far too many temptations for the young in Thailand.
For instance, he said, plans to set up casinos and gambling websites as well as the legalisation of cannabis pose unnecessary risks for the young.
“The government should come up with clear regulations to protect children and youth from alcohol, narcotics, road accidents and gambling,” he said.
He suggested that the government set up a special committee that can focus on these issues and come up with solutions. He said that young people should be given opportunities to develop knowledge and life skills, while strict action should be taken against entertainment venues that violate the law by serving minors.
A former juvenile detainee, who only wanted to be known as Mr C, said his addiction to drugs and cigarettes had made him very aggressive. He also said he regrets introducing these vices to his friends, who are now unstable mentally.
As a youngster who has turned a new leaf, he advised his peers to stay away from drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, and instead opt for creative pastimes.
“I support cannabis for medical use, but am worried about what will happen if cannabis is used for recreation,” he said.
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