The struggle for democracy has intensified in Thailand as a coalition of academics, students, and others have recently joined together and ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Known as the "People's Alliance for Democracy" this coalition staged weekly demonstrations throughout the country calling for an end to corruption, cronyism, and democracy that is driven by the people.
One of the issues driving this coalition is the free trade agreement (FTA) currently being negotiated between Thailand and the United States. Thai organizations and people's movements are concerned that a free trade agreement with the US will drive more farmers off their land, decrease access that the poor have to life-saving medicines, and threaten people's sovereignty to food and natural resources.
In response to free trade and the corporate driven globalization supported by Thai elites, the poor are organizing to build their own alternatives. Farmers in the Assembly of the Poor in the northeast of Thailand have come together to build alternatives through organic farming and Fair Trade. Farmers have come together to build their own rice cooperatives where they avoid corrupt middlemen and mill their own rice and sell it domestically and internationally through the fair trade system.
Join ENGAGE and Global Exchange on this special Reality Tour while also enjoying the natural and cultural diversity of Thailand.
For information/registration, please contact:
Chris Westcott
Project Coordinator
ENGAGE
2017 Mission St., #305
San Francisco, CA 94110
415-255-9355
www.engagetheworld.org
chris@engagetheworld.org
Program Highlights:
- - Homestay and visit with fair trade rice farming communities in the northeast region of Thailand. Learn how you can support Fair Trade rice when you return to the US!
- - Partake in an international conference bringing together farmers, people with HIV, students, workers, and academics from Thailand and the US joining together in resistance to the Thai-US free trade agreement (FTA).
- - Exchange with organizations like Focus on the Global South working to show another world is possible.
- - Discuss with the network of people living with HIV about how the Thai-US FTA threatens access the poor have to life saving medicines.
- - Discuss with US Government officials and learn how US representatives view the Thai-US free trade agreement (FTA).
- - Cultural and historic sites and city tours.
Cost: 6-9 people = $1,820, 10-14 people = $1,360,15-20 people = $1,110
Price Includes:
- Double room accommodations in 3 star hotels (single rooms may be available for an additional $275), and 2 overnights in family homes.
- 2 meals per day
- All ground transporation
- Guides and translators, a qualified trip leader
- All program activities, entrance fees
- Donations, honoraria, and GX membership fee
- Reading materials
- *tips, one meal a day, and personal expenses are not included.
How to Register:
To secure your space on this trip, please submit your registration form and a deposit of $200 two months before departure. A late fee of $50 will be applied for late registration. Deposits are non-refundable but transferable for up to one year toward the cost of another tour. Payments by check, Mastercard or Visa are welcome.This trip will be as diverse as possible in terms of race, age and life experiences. We strongly urge people of color to apply. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for low-income applicants.
Make your reservation online now!
Contact Masumi with any questions about this trip,
or call toll-free
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