By Itsarin Tisantia
Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post
Authorities recently launched a campaign to reduce the number of children abandoned in Thailand.
Read the following story from the Bangkok Post to learn more about this project.
The Social Development and Human Security Ministry on February 11 kicked off a campaign intended to curb the problem of unwanted children being abandoned by their parents.
HUMAN RIGHTS
The main message to convey to the public, especially those with unwanted pregnancies, is an emphasis on the right of newborn babies to live, on the illegality of abandoning a child, and on channels for troubled parents to reach out for help from state agencies, Suwat Janitthikul, assistant to the minister of Social Development and Human Security said.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign denouncing child abandonment, Suwat said every child has the right to live. Those who abandon a child could face up to three years in jail and a fine of up to 6,000 baht.
HELP AVAILABLE
Suwat said that those who need help with unwanted pregnancies or raising children are encouraged to contact the ministry's One Stop Crisis Centre hotline No. 1300 for advice.
Despite the ministry's efforts to combat child abandonment, the number of abandoned children remains high, according to Napha Setthakorn, director-general of the Department of Children and Youth.
Between 2012 and 2015, 662 children were abandoned in Thailand, Napha said.
LOST AND FOUND
Napha said that the most common place where babies are abandoned is in hospitals. Public restrooms and sidewalks are also places where many abandoned babies and children have been found, she said.
Napha explained that when a child is found abandoned, the ministry usually tries to find the parents first. If the parents aren't found, the adoption process can begin for the child.
Exercises
Find vocabulary words used in the story that are synonyms of the following words.
1. footpath ……………….
2. leave ……………….
3. kids ……………….
4. fight ……………….
Vocabulary
- abandon (v): to leave somebody that you are responsible for with no intention of returning
curb (v): to control or limit something, especially something bad
emphasis (n): special importance that is given to something
denounce (v): to strongly criticise somebody or something that you think is wrong, illegal, etc.
