Nisarat Nanthawan Na
Ayuthaya from the Institute of Nutrition at Mahidol University gives a
talk on ‘What is Child Protection’ in a workshop to increase awareness
of the need for child protection.
Warunya Thongrod
Chonburi has become the latest Thai province to begin using the
UNICEF Thailand Child-Protection Monitoring System to identify children
needing special care and monitor welfare efforts.
Pattaya Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn chaired a March 11 training
session for the CPMS with representatives from 22 neighborhoods and
lecturers from Mahidol University’s nutrition program.
Attendees learned to analyze information collected by the CPMS in other
Thai provinces and participate in activities to teach them to use the
system to monitor children.
Participants also listened to lectures on the meaning of child
protection; negligence, torture and exploitation; and social
responsibility from a trio of Mahidol lecturers.
Launched in 2006 by UNICEF Thailand in the tsunami-hit provinces of
Phuket, Phangnga, Krabi, Ranong, Satun and Trang, the CPMS program
expanded to Suphanburi, Ubon Ratchathani and Songkla in 2008, and Chiang
Mai, Payao, Kanchanaburi and Suphanburi last year.
This year, the program begins in Chonburi, Udon Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut
Sakon and Chumporn. In Chonburi, four cities are targeted: Pattaya,
Surasak, Nonghong, and Wat Suwan.
The Ministry of Social Development has allocated 16.3 million baht to
all the programs, helping the public point out children requiring
protection and special care or children in risky family environments.
