On March 22, 2025, amidst the backdrop of economic struggle in Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, residents approached the legal council seeking assistance for predicaments that highlight troubling patterns of exploitation. With growing debts and financial entanglements, two women, Nang JanDee and Nang Jureerat, shared their stories at the meeting organized by the Council of Lawyers in Chiang Mai, asking for justice and support.
Nang JanDee, a 57-year-old local from Chiang Mai, approached Mr. Vichian Choopaitasong, the president of the council, during a session held at the Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization. Her plight reveals the terrifying aftermath of financial entrapment. Since 2009, she had been struggling with a debt of 30,000 baht connected to her husband’s financial dealings with a bank. Despite having sought no additional loans, she found herself coerced by bank officials into signing documents under the pretense of government assistance, which promised a 5,000 baht payout. Unfortunately, she never received this money and instead watched her debt balloon to a staggering 150,000 baht. This includes 29,067 baht in interest, a labyrinth of obligations she insists she never willingly entered into. The language barrier—her inability to read and write Thai—complicated the situation further, leading her to leave her thumbprint on documents without grasping their contents. This led to significant distress and misery in her life.
In her words, “I have never received the money described in the loan agreement. This entire situation has caused me immense suffering,” she lamented, her frustration palpable as she expressed the financial burden and psychological strain that accompanied her plight.
Meanwhile, Nang Jureerat, 48, from Mae Hong Son, articulated a similarly devastating experience. Having sold cattle for 50,000 baht in September 2018, she took the money to a bank, only to discover that her good intention had morphed into a case of mistaken debt. “I thought I was depositing my money, but it turned out to be a loan I never actually sought,” she explained, affirming her confusion over a process that should have been straightforward. Despite previously having taken loans from the bank, her efforts to clarify the situation met with resistance. Bank officials informed her that important documents had been destroyed, erasing any trace of her claims—a revelation that deepened her despair.
“I just want to know who can help me resolve this nightmare; I’m eating and sleeping poorly,” said Jureerat, her plea echoing the sentiments shared by many who attended the session.
In response to the complaints, Mr. Vichian assured the women and other attendees that the council would investigate their cases. “We will thoroughly look into all the facts involved. The council serves as a resource for the people, and we charge no fees for our services,” he promised, providing a glimmer of hope. He encouraged the residents to keep faith that they would receive justice and assistance throughout the legal process in navigating their trials.
The meeting invoked emotional displays from the participants, who expressed gratitude towards Mr. Vichian and his team. As a token of appreciation for the council’s commitment to help, local residents presented him with tribal garments, a heartfelt gesture that reflected mutual respect and support during these challenging times.
The unfolding crisis highlights a significant socio-economic issue within these provinces, where vulnerable populations often find themselves at the mercy of exploitative lending practices, compounded by a lack of financial literacy and language barriers. According to recent reports, the Council of Lawyers aims to extend its resources to help those trapped in such spirals of debt.
This situation underscores the crucial role the Council of Lawyers plays in advocating for the marginalized, ensuring they have a fighting chance to navigate legal complexities in their pursuit of justice.
As discussions around resolving such predicaments continue, the council's involvement signifies a necessary step towards rectifying not just individual injustices, but potentially addressing larger systemic issues that affect the financial well-being of many in these communities.
