Exploring the Lives of Marginalized Urban Poor: A Case Study of Poor Tenants in Bangkok’s Substandard Rental Housing Sector
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61462/cujss.v54i1.2556Keywords:
Marginalization, Urban Poor, Rental Tenants, Bangkok, PrecarityAbstract
This article is part of the research titled "Exploring the Lives of Marginalized Urban Poor: A Case Study of Poor Tenants in Bangkok’s Substandard Rental Housing Sector" commissioned by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation. The research aims to understand the challenges faced by Bangkok’s poor tenants, who have not received government assistance. Historically, these renters have been largely ignored on official records, have lacked direct support from the government and have not been the subject of systematic research. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has made their already precarious living conditions even worse. This study seeks to delve into the lives of poor tenants who rent homes or rooms within the Bangkok metropolitan area, with a specific emphasis on those with low rents. The research methodology includes literature review, documentary analysis, and interviews with government officials, NGOs, tenants, and landlords. The research findings reveal issues concerning housing instability and deficiency of appropriate policies and direct government actions. To address these concerns, the recommendation is for the government to enact a comprehensive draft of housing policies and to establish a ministry to directly oversee all aspects of housing affairs, and to also give local authorities more power to look after such rented housing.
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