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View Full Version : Is overcharging farang illegal by international treaty?


doseiai
29-04-07, 06:44 AM
Most nations recognize International Treaties as the supreme law of the land. I would assume Thailand is no exception...but I need someone to verify this.

Thailand has signed and acceeded the following International Treaties:

1. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

In addition, Article 1, part 1 states "1. All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development."

2. International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination

Therefore, technically, it is ILLEGAL to charge different rates on the basis of white person and Thai, despite it happening all the time. However, it technically is not illegal on the basis of nationality, regardless of race, which could be an easy cop-out.

It could also be ILLEGAL to deny farang (& other foreigners) the right to many types of investment, such as home ownership, business quota, etc. under "ALL PEOPLE have the right...freely pursue economic development" clause. Nationality could not be used as an excuse in this case.

This brings an interesting point. Overcharging those in Pattani (&Yala, Narathiwat) because they cannot speak or refuse to speak Thai would be instant racial discrimination and forbidden by law, as nobody can claim discrimination based on nationality, as THEY ARE THAI NATIONALITY.

In addition, passage of Buddhism as the national religion could be seen as tantamount to racial discrimination and anti-self determination, counter to both treaties.

This is the basis for the Philippines granting the indigenous peoples of the South, who happen to be Muslim, self-determination...the proposal would allow an autonomous Muslim state self-governance in all areas except defence, foreign affairs, the monetary system and the postal system.

http://www.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUSSP302379._CH_.2400

As a signatory of the International Treaty, Thailand must also grant Pattani self-determination by its own law, though technically not necessarily independence. It must also punish racial discrimination.

Treaties:
http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/research/ratification-thailand.html

The Enforcer!
29-04-07, 10:39 AM
Therefore, technically, it is ILLEGAL to charge different rates on the basis of white person and Thai, despite it happening all the time.

It is also technically illegal for motorcyclists to ride on the pavement!

The Enforcer!

Marvin
05-05-07, 09:58 PM
It is also technically illegal for motorcyclists to ride on the pavement!

The Enforcer!

And for police officers on thir way home to go through red lights. And for the same police officers on their way to work to enter the expressway by way of the off ramp.