"Voices of Thai Women'' is the first English newsletter of the Foundation for Women (FFW). The purpose of this newsletter is to provide information about activities of the FFW and to collect articles written about women in Thailand. FFW hopes that "Voices of Thai Women" will promote better understanding about the situation of Thai women among friends in other cultures and consolidate solidarity against exploitation of women in Thailand as well as in other countries.

The newsletter does not only voice problems of Thai women, but also reveals struggles and actions of women's organisations and concerned people in Thailand. It is time for friends overseas to have an insight of the struggle of Thai women and to renew their image of Thai women. It is longer than a decade that western media has portrayed women of Thailand as docile, subservient creatures craving only for material benefits and willing to serve men. With such a depiction of Thai women, Thailand became a sex haven for men whose status is allegedly at stake due to the emancipation of women at home.

Should we not enforce concerted actions based on mutual understanding and equality to prevent third world women from paying the price of the emancipation of western women?

Is it not yet a time for women of any world (first, second and third) to develop a strategy without barriers for the true emancipation of all women?

"Voices of Thai Women" hopes to appear on regular basis. However, it depends on many factors, namely resources and woman-power. Nonetheless, your comments and support are the great contribution for the next issue.

(FFW was set up in 1987as a legal for two projects: the Women's Information Centre and the Home for Battered Women.)

September, 1988 Foundation for Women, P.O. Box 7-47 Bangkok 10700, Thailand

Solidarity

Solidarity means
Learning from each other,
Understanding each other,
Working for each other
as we work to improve
our own struggle.
And above all,
It means working together
To build a better world
Where the earth's abundance
is cultivated,
Where oppression no longer exists,
Where people's needs are met.
Where living is a joy,
And where our diversity
is a constant source for celebration.