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Date: 16th April 2001, The Nation

YOUTHS trying to make a difference claim that they are continually harassed by corrupt adults as they endeavour to fight for what they think is right in their regions.

Powerful officials and local administration officers apparently couldn't care less about age when it comes to exerting their might in forcing others to comply with their wishes.

When Orathai Sikhampa wished that teachers would change their attitudes, it was for a reason. Her teacher, filled with contempt for her efforts to fight the Gaeng Sua Ten dam project, continually belittled her in class in front of her friends. "She said I was stupid for fighting against the dam construction," Orathai said. The teacher continually made derogatory remarks, calling her and her friends "Yai Mob", or mob girl.

"I often stand up to her in class and argue that teachers are bureaucrats and do not dare to speak against authority. I tell them that I am just a student, and have every right to speak up," said Chatchai Tummo, who was ejected from class by the powerful, authoritarian teacher.

Her counterparts in Ubon Ratchatanee province had similar stories to tell about influential adults. Nueng, in a tangle with the Tambon Administration Organisation, found out that the roads being built did not meet standards. "Every year repairs need to be made," he said. Nueng said that the TAO was embezzling money from the budget which could have gone to making better roads.

He promptly asked his TAO why the roads were paved so poorly. The authorities reacted by sending over policemen to threaten him. "After that, I didn't know what to do. My parents told me not to argue with them, because it might spark violence," Nueng said.

Even the herculean power of the media has hurt these youths. In a shoot out incident involving youths from Jana Amphur, the media slammed activists who were against the Thai-Malaysian Pipeline Project for initiating the violence.

Jana Amphur youths at the anti-corruption network's camp claim that they shot back in self-defence after supporters of the project opened fire first. "I've suffered a lot from the media and don't want to say anything more," said one of the representatives.

He says that media distortion of the cause damaged public opinion about his anti-pipeline activities. "We are doing this as a peaceful protest to save our own village. Even with just a few factories, the water supplies have been severely polluted. What would a mega-project like the pipeline do to our tiny village?" he asked.

The youths were meeting at a camp held by the Anti-Corruption Network to discuss about ways to protect youth from corruption.

PARUEDEE NGUITRAGOOL, NATEE VICHITSORASATRA

The Nation