‘Gold card of justice’ for the poor
(BangkokPost.com) – Justice Minister Jaran Pakdithanakul revealed plans to ensure that the poor are better served by the justice system in the future.
The Justice Minister said plans to initiate the “gold member card” project was in the pipeline because “the Thai justice system today is way below acceptable standards, especially when it comes to solving crimes.”
“The poor who use their social status to seek justice must swear an oath to prove that they are poor otherwise so many people have to be questioned to confirm their social status before anything is done,” Mr Jaran explained.
“My intention is to make it easier for them to make their voices heard. For fairness in society,” he said.
His project is yet to take shape but he vows to push ahead with plans to complete it as soon as he can.
Bangkok Post Sept. 5, 2007
Apart from this assistance to the poor there should be a mandatory fees system for the lawyers. The thumb rule of 15 % of the case value is certainly too much for many people. Also there should be more realistic provisions for the reimbursement of the costs for defense.