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Miracle Tourism Forum 2012 draws tourism professionals from around the region
Chiang Mai
Governor M.L. Panadda Diskul is joined on stage by Mae Hong Son Governor
Naruemol Plawat and Lamphun Deputy Governor Chumporn Saengmanee and the TAT
Deputy Governor for Marketing Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa as well as by the
heads of tourism business associations, the Chiang Mai Head of the TAT
Chalermsak Suranont and other noted guests to formally open the Forum.
By Shana Kongmun
The Miracle Tourism Forum 2012 was held
this past weekend at the Holiday Inn Hotel from May 26-29 and worked to
promote tourism in Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang and Mae Hong Son Provinces.
Chiang Mai Governor M.L. Panadda Diskul was joined by Mae Hong Son Governor
Naruemol Plawat and Lamphun Deputy Governor Chumporn
Saengmanee and the TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Mrs. Juthaporn
Rerngronasa as well as by the heads of tourism business associations for the
provinces involved. Area businesses joined the forum which was split up into
four sections covering each province and covered Culture, Cuisine, Nature,
Handicraft, Hospitality and value for money.
The Director of the Ministry of Tourism
and Sports Chiang Mai Provincial Office Churairat Preawprai noted that the
event highlights the strengths of the Northern Lanna culture and that it is
part of the government’s Miracle of Thailand Year promotion campaign.
The Vice President of the Association
of Thai Travel Agents Virat Chatturaputpitak said that the European economy
was hurting tourism to the North as well as the view that there was a loss
of cultural traditions. He added that the area needs to build quality
tourism in order to attract tourists and said that the ATTA has again
brought up the idea of a cable car being built to the top of Doi Suthep to
make it more accessible for tourists.
(Far right)
Honorary Consul to Bangladesh and MTF award winner Rachan Veerapan is joined
by other members of the forum at the start.
The opening
show was filled with Lanna culture and was both beautiful and entertaining.
Anchalee
Kalmapijit (2nd left), an MTF award winner and owner of the Elephant Life
Experience is joined by Siripanna Resort Managing Director (left) Supamit
Kitjapiphat, Resort Manager Manus Kaewpaeng and Dear Sarikbutr of Siripanna.
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Visakha Bucha Day festivities have begun
Buddhist
faithful around Thailand and the North gather to honor the Buddha’s birth,
death and enlightenment on Visakha Bucha Day, which falls on the Full Moon
in May or June. Here, Lampang residents and tourists make merit at Wat
Phrathat Lampang Luang. (File photo)
The Chiang Mai Municipality announced
the schedule for Visakha Bucha Day with festivities beginning
Tuesday, May 29 with the Opening Ceremony of Buddhism
Promotion Week. Thursday, May 31 from 8.30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. will see Dharma
talks and meditation of students at Buddha Satan...
The Municipality will
hold a Lantern Parade on Sunday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m. from the Governor’s
House on Nawarat Bridge to Wat Chedi Luang where participants will all be
dressed in white and the public is invited to dress in white as well. Sunday
night there will be a Lanna style parade to bring the lustral water
up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and the procession of the faithful begin
their 11 km walk up Doi Suthep. Most people will arrive around 1-3 a.m. to
walk three times around the temple. People will give alms to 225 monks at
6:30 a.m. at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. There will be a bathing ceremony with
Royally blessed lustral water of the Buddha images at 3 p.m.
Visakha Bucha Day falls
on Monday, June 4 and is one of the most venerated days in the Buddhist
calendar. The day celebrates the Buddha’s life, enlightenment and death and
finally, achieving final release from the circle of rebirth. It is a
national holiday and alcohol will not be sold or served around the country.
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Lucky license plates net 23 million baht in auction
Chiang Mai
Governor M. L. Panadda Diskul launched the auction of lucky license plates
at the Empress Hotel in May 26 and 27.
Nopniwat Krailerg
The Land Transport Office held an auction of new license plates on May 26
and 2 at the Empress Hotel, raising a total of 23,110,055 baht for the Road
Safety Fund that assists victims of road accidents.
The first day of the auction saw nearly 13 million baht in sales and the
second day over 10 million Baht. Many people participated in the auction
where a pharmacist from Prima Herb Co. paid 1.8 million baht for the lucky
9999 plate, the license plate honored by the Prime Minister that was
expected to bring in the most fetched 620,000 Baht.
EU launches Happen project
Activities organized for World Environment Day
Nopniwat Krailerg
Apiwat Kunarak, the Director of the
Regional 1 Environment Office, said that the office is organizing activities
for the annual World Environment Day 2012 to be held on June 4 and 5, 2012.
A public seminar will be held where participants will exchange experiences
in dealing with fires and smoke in a bid to help reduce the smog caused by
forest fires. Additionally, a walk will be held on Tuesday, June 5 a 9 a.m.
at Nawarat Bridge to the Train Station Park.
Apiwat
Kunarak discusses the upcoming launch of World Environment Day activities.
The HAPPEN Project or Holistic Approach
of Public Partnership for the Environment, funded by the European Union,
will be launched at JJ Market. With a budget of 490,000 EU the project will
take place in 5 districts in Chiang Mai from 2012 through 2105. The Muang
district, Hang Dong, Mae Rim, San Sai and Doi Saket will see about 700
people from local and government organizations as well as NGO’s, students
and members of the public.
It aims to improve environmental
management and resource efficiency as well as the skills of the local
communities involved and will include the participation of highland people
or hill tribes who were often accused of burning forests that cause the
choking haze that blankets Chiang Mai annually.
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Assistant Ministry of Industry inspects steel production standards
The
Assistant Minister of Industry Supab Kleekhajai inspected for substandard
steel construction products.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Assistant Minister of Industry Supab
Kleekhajai joined the management team of industry professionals from the
Thai Industrial Standards Institute Office to check hardware at the Tor
Kehaphan (2002) Co., Ltd to ensure that non-standard products are being
destroyed and to inspect current goods to make sure they are up to industry
standards, especially products related to the safety of consumers.
The Assistant Minister of Industry said
that substandard products had ot yet been and included rebar and steel
supports for structures. The government would not allow substandard building
materials to enter the market and pose hazards to the safety of consumers.
50 million baht budget for PAO elections
The
President of the Office of the Election Commission of Chiang Mai Provincial
Administration Organization (PAO) Phet Kanthadee reported on the budget for
the PAO elections to be held on June 23, 2012.
Nopniwat Krailerg
The President of the Office of the
Election Commission of Chiang Mai Provincial Administration Organization
(PAO) Phet Kanthadee said that the upcoming elections for PAO President and
members of the PAO Council that will be held in 25 districts on June 23,
2012 has been granted a budget of 50 million baht.
By law, the candidates for PAO
President cannot have more than 4.2 million baht in campaign financing while
the candidates for Council will receive no more than 100,000 baht.
There are currently four candidates for
PAO President; number one Boonlert Buranupakorn from the Pheu Thai Kunnatham
party, number two Dr. Thaworn Kiatchaiyakorn from the Pheu Thai Chiang Mai
party, number three Kwanchai Sakulthong, Independent, and number four
Kingkarn Na Chiang Mai also known as Jae Dang, from the Khon Chiang Mai
Pattana Chiang Mai party. There are a total 130 candidates for the PAO
Council of which only 20 are women. The Province has a voter population
between 1.2 and 1.6 million people.
"There is concern that there will be fraud in the election and that
the Election Commission may issue a yellow or red card after the election
which could lead to a new election. This would require an additional budget
of about 20-30 million baht
because of new ballots and elections.” Phet added that they will have
a media campaign to raise awareness on election fraud and encourage people
to not sell or buy votes.
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Lychee product rise in the north
Head of the
Chiang Mai Agriculture Office Sompol Saenkham reports on the lychee market
glut.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Despite the unseasonal weather earlier
in the season, lychee production is on the rise with the Head of the Chiang
Mai Agriculture Office Sompol Saenkham reporting that production in the four
Northern provinces of Chiang Mai Chiang Rai, Phayao and Nan up 79.53
percent. So far 2012 production has reached 62,000 tons, a vast increase
over the 25,488 tons produced in 2011.
Important growing areas such as Fang,
Chai Prakan, Mae Ai, Mae Taeng and Mae Rim in Chiang Mai have produced about
30,097 tons, up from last year by about 16,000 tons. The cold weather early
on resulted in the high production.
The market for lychees reaches its peak
from mid-May to mid-June which corresponds to peak season for fruit such as
rambutan, durian, and mangosteen from Eastern and Southern Thailand markets.
The Agriculture Office is working with local manufacturers to grow the
overseas market for processed fruit so that local farmers won’t be hit hard
by low prices from the large production of fruit this year.
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Lin Ping to celebrate her 3rd birthday
The Chiang
Mai Zoo has announced the upcoming birthday party to be held for the Zoo’s
most famous resident; Lin Ping who turns three this month. The party will be
held on Sunday, May 27 at the Panda Enclosure at the Chiang Mai Zoo
beginning at 9 a.m. when distinguished guests, sponsors and friends of the
Zoo will sing happy birthday to Lin Ping. Then at 10:30 a cake of fruit and
other foods the panda loves will be presented to Lin Ping at the Panda
Enclosure followed by a photo session (no flash). (File photo from Lin
Ping’s 20th month birthday party).
CMU Freshmen welcomed at the Train Station
Traditional greeting for newcomers
Incoming
freshmen students were welcomed at the Train Station in a long standing CMU
tradition.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Incoming Chiang Mai University freshmen were greeted at the Chiang Mai Train
Station on Thursday, May 24, 2012 by various student clubs from CMU in a
tradition that dates back almost 50 years.
CMU Vice President Asst. Prof. Amnaj Yoosuk said this tradition of welcoming
new students to CMU dates back more than48 years to the first class of new
students at CMU. It is a tradition that new students embark in Bangkok
together and travel by train to Chiang Mai to be greeted by students already
in Chiang Mai. Alcohol was banned from the “White Train” to prevent alcohol
related incidents among freshmen.
The tradition is aimed at building relationships among students and to make
the new students feel at home.
Municipality prunes trees around the city
The strong
winds and rains of the summer monsoon season have seen an increase of tree
branches breaking and falling on streets and cars creating hazardous driving
conditions. The Municipality started trimming and pruning off weak and too
heavy branches from trees on Friday May 25, 2012. Chiang Mai Mayor Tussanai
Buranupakorn joined in the tree trimming and added that the Municipality has
installed a direct line for those who have suffered damage or injury from
storms and natural disasters. The public can call 199 , 053-233444,
053-234193 24 hours a day.
Former PM Abhisit visits San Kamphaeng to campaign
Former
Prime Minister Abhisit and Democrat candidate for Constituency 3 seat
Kulyakorn campaign in San Kamphaeng District. Constituency 3 consists of Mae
On, San Kamphaeng and Doi Saket Districts.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Former Prime Minister and current leader of the Democrat Party Abhisit
Vejjajiva paid a visit to Chiang Mai’s San Kamphaeng District on Thursday,
May 24, 2012 to help Kulyakorn Jiamkitwattana campaign in a bid to win the
Constituency 3 seat for Member of Parliament recently vacated after Chinicha
Wongsawat was found guilty of filing false assets declarations and barred
her from politics for 5 years by the Election Commission.
The former Prime Minister met with people at the San Ton Dou Market before
visiting Bo Sang and Ton Pao where he was generally welcomed by locals.
A group of Red Shirts in the area that support the Pheu Thai candidate
followed the group around, shouting slogans and epithets but there were no
confrontations.
Abhisit Vejjajiva as leader of the Democrat Party said the party has sent
candidates to the elections this time and is demonstrating a willingness to
work with people. He said that the issues of the local people should not be
ignored and that rising prices should be addressed. He added that although
the Democrat candidate is considered the underdog, the 29 year old Kulyakorn
is a Chiang Mai native and lives and works locally. Kulyakorn works at a
local community radio station will face her political rival Kasem Nimmonrat,
48, a local politician and close aide to Yaowapa Wongsawat, mother of the
banned former MP Chinicha and wife of former Prime Minister Somchai
Wongsawat in the June 2 by elections.
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Registration for PAO elections begins
Thousands of Red Shirts support the candidates
Boonlert
Buranupakorn is greeted by supporters upon registering for the elections for
the office of the President of the PAO.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Thursday, May 24, 2012 saw the first day of registration for Chiang Mai
Provincial Administration Organization (PAO) Council members and President
with two main candidates, both Pheu Thai, registering for the seat of
President.
PAO President Boonlert Buranupakorn and head of the Pheu Thai Khunnatham
Party received number one on the ballot while Dr. Thaworn Kiatchaiyakorn,
former Senator of the Pheu Thai and member of the Pheu Thai Chiang Mai
Party, received number 2.
Thousands of red shirted supporters turned out to meet the canddiates at the
80th Anniversary of HM the King building near the Provincial City where
brother of ousted Prime Minister Payap Shinawatra, Chiang Mai Member of
Parliament Tassanee Buranupakorn and Chiang Mai Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn
joined K. Boonlert on stage to show their support. Thousands of supporters
thronged the stage, the majority of which had turned out to show their
support for Boonlert Buranupakorn.
Payap Shinawatra noted that while the Pheu Thai had not submitted a
candidate to the office and added that while both candidates are allowed to
use the Pheu Thai name, they are not related to the party. He said that he
simply came to congratulate his old friend; Boonlert Buranupakorn.
The President of the PAO will oversee 25 districts with more than 2,000
villages. Election Day is scheduled for June 23, 2012.
Payap
Shinawatra (4th right), MP Tassanee Buranupakorn (2nd left) and Mayor
Tussanai Buranupakorn (1st left) join Boonlert Buranupakorn and supporters
on stage to show their support for his candidacy.
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Yunnan government officials in Chiang Mai to expand relations
Mr. Kwang
Yong Ching will meet with the heads of relevant government agencies, and
representatives from Provincial offices from May 24-28, 2012.
The President of the Pu’er Municipal
Council of Yunnan in the People’s Republic of China traveled to Chiang Mai
on May 24 and will spend the next few days meeting with local government
officials.
Mr. Kwang Yong Ching will meet with the heads of relevant government
agencies, and representatives from Provincial offices including the
commercial office, the head of the Passport Office, the provincial Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, and the Culture Office. They will exchange ideas and
promote and expand economic relations, trade, investment and tourism between
the two cities.
The goal is to strengthen relations between Chinese business people and
private sector businesses in Chiang Mai as well as between government
officials. Pu’er in Yunnan is famous for its tea reputed to be the best in
the world. It is the largest city in Yunnan Province and shares many things
in common with Chiang Mai as it has a large hill tribe population and has
many agricultural crops.
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Chiang Rai couple arrested smuggling drugs
120,000
methamphetamine tablets, or Yaba, were discovered hidden under the passenger
seat of a Chiang Rai couple’s car at a police checkpoint in Lampang.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Police announced the arrest of a Chiang Rai couple after 120,000 Yaba
tablets were found hidden under the passenger seat of their car after they
were stopped at a police checkpoint in Ngao, Lampang.
National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Priewpan Damapong and Commissioner of Police
Region 5 Lt. Gen. Suthep Dejraksa announced the arrest at Police Region 5
station on May 25, 2012 where they displayed the car and the 120,000
methamphetamine tablets.
The accused, Hue Saeher, age 27 and Panida Saeher, age 21 both of Wiang
Kaen, Chiang Rai confessed to police that they had been hired to carry the
drugs to Bangkok and that this was their third such trip.
The National police Chief Pol. Gen. Priewpan Damapong said the groups
transporting drugs tend to avoid the main checkpoint so a second checkpoint
on a less busy road had been set up, leading to increased interception of
drugs.
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Walk up Doi Suthep for Visakha Bucha Day planned
The
organizing committee met to discuss the annual Walk Up Doi Suthep held on
the night before Visakha Bucha Day on June 3 and 4.
Nopniwat Krailerg
The organizing committee for the annual
“Walk up Doi Suthep” that takes place on Visakha Bucha Day met on May 21,
2012 at Wat Lok Molee to prepare for the event and announce the schedule.
Prathep Worasitthajarn, the Abbot of
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep noted that this holiday celebrates the anniversary
of Buddha attaining enlightenment 2,600 years ago. There will be ceremonies
every evening from May 29 to June 3, 2012 at Wat Chotikul Suwannaram (Wat
Mou Boon) near the Kruba Srivichai Monument.
Sunday night, June 3 there will be a
Lanna style parade to bring the holy water up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
and the procession of the faithful begin their 11 km walk up Doi Suthep.
Most people will arrive around 1-3 a.m. to walk three times around the
temple. Then at 6:30 a.m. people will give alms to 225 monks at Wat Phra
That Doi Suthep. There will be a bathing ceremony with Royal lustral water
of the Buddha images at 3 p.m.
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Prime Minister to visit Chiang Dao Royally sponsored reforestation projects
Maj. Gen.
Somsak Ninbunjerdkul, Commander of the Pha Muang Task Force announced the
May 24 visit of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
plans to visit the Chiang Dao reforestation projects under the Royal
sponsorship of HM the Queen on Thursday, May 24, Maj. Gen. Somsak
Ninbunjerdkul, Commander of the Pha Muang Task Force announced.
The Prime Minister will be joined by
the Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army Gen. Prayut Chan-O-Cha when
they visit the projects at Baan Na Wai in Tambon Muang Na in Chiang Dao
District.
The Army has created forest restoration
projects under the sponsorship of HM the Queen and in honor of her 80th
birthday on August 12, 2012 in the area upstream of the River Ping, Wang,
Yom and Nan.
There is a weir, 1,200 trees have been
planted, canals dredged to carry water and a dam to store 12,600 cu. m. of
water. Additionally there is an exhibition on conservation of natural
resources and a mobile medical unit.
The Prime Minister will provide
guidelines for the conservation of the environment and natural resources and
meet with local residents and members of the Youth Conservation who have
taken part in planting trees I the area.
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Chiang Mai Governor leads inspection of Central Prison
Chiang Mai
Governor M.L. Panadda Diskul and 600 corrections officers led an inspection
raid in the early morning hours of May 19, 2012 at the Central Prison.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Mai Governor M.L Panadda Diskul
was joined by 600 corrections officers in an inspection of Chiang Mai
Central Prison at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2012 in a search for
prohibited and illegal items.
22 porn magazines were found as well as
200 lighters that could be converted into explosives, 300 forks that could
be sharpened into weapons, playing cards used for gambling, rope, 3 syringes
and coffee and cigarettes. However, no drugs were found during the
inspection and o the 200 inmates, none tested positive for drugs in urine
tests.
Road drainage works begin
The Chiang
Mai Municipality has started road works to improve street drainage for the
upcoming rainy season. Repairs and replacement of drain covers began on
Patan Road on Tuesday May 22, 2012. Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn pointed out
that there were a lot of broken drain covers causing traffic accidents.
Closing off the drain covers is not the solution, he pointed out, but that
better quality improved covers need to be put in place, ones that will not
break down from heavy traffic. (Photo courtesy of Chiang Mai Municipality).
300 Rak Chiang Mai 51 members rally at Tha Pae Gate
Around 300
members of the Rak Chiang Mai 51 group rallied at Tha Pae Gate on Saturday,
May 19, 2012.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Around 300 members of the Rak Chiang
Mai 51 Red Shirt group met at the community radio station at Grand Warorot
Hotel behind Wat Phra Singh where they travelled by motorcycle, tuk tuk and
songthaew to the Democrat Party Headquarters on Huay Kaew Road where they
laid a wreath and burned an effigy in remembrance of the May 19 crackdown on
the Bangkok demonstrations in 2010.
Led by Krishna Prombungrum, the crowd
then moved to Waroros Market and down Tha Pae Road to Tha Pae Gate where the
leaders addressed the crowd and called for the punishment of former Prime
Minister Abhisit Vejajiva and former Deputy Prime Minister Suthep
Thaugsuban, they also asked that the government expedite the investigation
of the deaths that occurred during the crackdown.
Dengue fever education at local schools
The
Muncipality’s campaign to fight dengue fever kicked off at the Wichai
Wittaya School’s Science Department on May 22, 2012 where Mayor Tussanai
Buranupakorn joined the students to discuss methods to prevent the spread of
Dengue Fever by removing the mosquitoes breeding grounds. He pointed out
that this year there have already been 93 cases of Dengue in Chiang Mai and
about 1,000 cases in the past two years. An education campaign with
demonstrations, leaflets and prevention tips will be held at all the
Municipal schools in the coming weeks. (Photo courtesy of Chiang Mai
Municipalty).
City Pillar or Inthakin Festival opens
Chiang Mai
Governor M.L. hits the ceremonial gong to formally open the Inthakin
Fetival.
By Shana Kongmun
The Inthakin Festival 2012 opened on
Thursday, May 17, 2012 with a parade of the Buddha image from Wat Chedi
Luang, led by Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn, that then visited major temples
as well as 3 Kings Monument before winding its way back to Wat Chedi Luang
where Governor M.L. Panadda Diskul opened the festival in Thai and then
spoke in English to greet visitors to the festival and thanking them for
their support of Chiang Mai.
The Governor and Mayor then proceeded
to lay flowers as an alms giving before entering the shrine of the City
Pillar. They then proceeded to the main temple and joined in the Buddhist
ceremony led by the Abbot of Wat Chedi Luang.
This annual ceremony is held on the
13th day of the waning moon in the eighth Northern lunar moon and continues
until the second day of the waxing moon of the ninth month. This year it
runs from May 17 to May 24. May 19, 2012 is the actual Inthakin ceremony
where offerings are made and the festival ends on May 24, 2012 when the
Mayor will hold the Closing Ceremony and pray to the Buddha image and gives
food offerings to 108 monks.
The Inthakin was believed to be erected
long ago when a hermit advised the residents of the area to erect the pillar
to ward off demons and bring good fortune. Buddhist ceremonies are
integrated with the ancient ceremony. The ceremonies ensure the continued
long life of the Buddha while bathing the Buddha image will bring the rains
and good fortune.
The
Procession of the Buddha image was led by a parade on May 17, 2012.
The Governor
bathes the Buddha image at the ceremony.
The Buddha
image known as Phra Fon Saen Haa (the Five Hundred Thousand Raindrop Buddha)
is carried through the city streets.
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65 Rai returned to Mae Taeng farmers
Chiang Mai
Governor M.L. Panadda Diskul greets local hill tribe farmers at the land
grant ceremony.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Mai Governor M.L. Panadda Diskul
presided over the delivery of land documents to farmers in Baan Nong Phung
in Mae Taeng District on May 18, 2012.
The land had been taken out of
agricultural production for local farmers and allocated to foreign workers
for building residences in 2003. The locals petitioned the Agricultural Land
Reform Office to return the land to area farmers.
Under the King’s sufficiency economy
program, the land is being divided among the landless poor of the area, 2
rai per household.
Partial solar eclipse Monday morning
Annular
eclipse where the moon’s shadow partially covers the sun. (Photo courtesy of
NARIT)
The National Astronomical Research
Institute of Thailand invites people to join them to view the partial solar
eclipse that will be visible in Chiang Mai on Monday, May 21, 2012 and will
only be visible for 16 minutes from 5:50 a.m. to 6:06 a.m. The eclipse will
be seen in Asia, across the Pacific and North America. This is an annular
eclipse where the moon passes between the sun and the earth, casting a
shadow over the sun and leaving a fiery ring around the moon. This is the
first annular eclipse since 1994.
NARIT warns that because the sun will
be so close to the horizon that early in the morning it may only be
partially visible.
Chiang Mai to host Vegetarian conference
The South
East Asian Vegetarian conference will be held in Chiang Mai November 23-25,
2012.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Mai will host the South East
Asian Vegetarian Union for the first time the President of the Thailand
Vegetarian Association Chiang Mai Branch Dr. Nasaphon Phothivichit
recently reported. He said that the Confederation of South East Asian
Vegetarian Union (SEAVU) assigned the Thailand Vegetarian Association,
(TVA) to host the SEAVC 2012 meeting in Chiang Mai in November this year.
The South East Asian Vegetarian Union
(SEAVU) is a cooperation of private enterprises from four countries;
Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand with a plan to add other countries.
They hope to add such ASEAN members as Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and the
Philippines. The SEAVU was started in 2007 with a goal to strengthen
relations among members.
The meeting will be held from Nov
23-25, 2012 at the Win Place Hotel, Chiang Mai with the theme “Go Veg for a
better world.” They are promoting better diet and eating vegetarian for
better health across South East Asia.
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World “No Tobacco Day” at Tha Pae Gate on May 31
The Chiang
Mai Public Office is organizing “No Tobacco Day” events at Tha Pae Gate for
May 31 to honor World “No Tobacco Day”.
Nopniwat Krailerg
The Chief of the Chiang Mai Public
Health Office Dr. Wattana Kanchanakamol reported that World No Tobacco Day
to be held at Tha Pae Gate on May 31, 2012 will include public and private
schools in the parade and activities that will see students pledge to not
smoke.
The World Health Organization
designated May 31
of each year as World No Tobacco Day, this year the is Tobacco Industry
Interference. Activities will focus on creating awareness of the problems of
interference from the tobacco industry that impact society. The events will
advocate literacy in advertising and public policy regarding tobacco and its
promotion. A parade will end at Tha Pae Gate where various activities will
be held on May 31, 2012.
Chiang Mai prepares for dengue fever in the rainy season
Chiang Mai Mail online reporters
In preparation for the upcoming rainy
season Chiang Mai Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn announced plans to hold
education seminars on dengue fever for local residents and students at area
schools over the next two weeks. Education on dengue, mosquitoes and how to
prevent dengue by eliminating breeding grounds for the mosquitoes will be
provided as well as mosquito sprays and other preventative measures.
The first seminar will be held at
Wichai Wittaya Bilingual School on Tuesday, May 22 at 8 a.m. Then at Princes
Royal College on May 24 at 8 a.m. and finally on May 29 at Montfort College
at 8 a.m.
CMU Faculty of Medicine gets new robotic surgical arm
The new
robotic surgical arm has a 3 D camera and will reduce the risk of
complications during surgery.
Nopiwat Krailerg
Professor Dr. Bunnakit Lojanaphiwat, a
lecturer with the Department of Surgery, Urology of the Faculty of Medicine
at Chiang Mai University reported the launch of the latest technology in
surgery a robotic arm with a 3D camera that will allow for surgery to be ten
times more accurate. The arm can rotate freely and will allow for greater
freedom to explore via the camera. The arm can be used for those suffering
urintary tract problems, digestive system ailments, as well as gynecological
and cardiovascular patients.
He noted that the arm will reduce the
risk of complications during surgery and decrease the risk of infection
after surgery. The arm will reduce the time needed for surgery and thus
blood loss during surgery will be less.
The arm was imported from the United
States and is the first of its kind in the North and only one of four in
Thailand.
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Seminar on local education reform
Chiang Mai
Governor M.L. Panadda Diskul chaired the meeting on educational reform at
the Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel on May 11, 2012, he was joined by Chiang Mai
Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn and Department of Education officials.
The Chiang Mai Education office
together with the Province and Municipality held a seminar on local
education reform at the Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel on Friday, May 11, 2012.
The seminar was chaired by Governor M.L. Panadda Diskul.
Chiang Mai has been chosen to host regional meetings to receive comments on
the proposed reforms in Thai education for the next ten years. The current
government is working on proposals to reform education in Thailand and bring
it up to international standards nationwide. A series of seminars including
those in the forefront of education in the North will be held in Chiang Mai
to come up with proposals on necessary changes.
Gusty summer storm brings hail, strong winds
A sudden summer storm on May 15 at 5:30
p.m. brought hail to some parts of Chiang Mai and strong winds broke tree
branches damaging some homes, billboards and street lights. The strong winds
caused a small tree to break and fall on a pickup truck on Assadathorn road
but nobody was injured in the accident. The Thai Meteorology Department has
noted that a strong monsoon out of China will continue through the 19th,
bringing high temperatures during the day and strong gusty winds with
scattered rain and possible hail to the North.
Prime Minister celebrates 2,600 years of Buddha’s enlightenment
Buddhist
relics from Sri Lanka were carried by elephant back from the Three Kings
Monument to Wat Phra Singh.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
traveled to Chiang Mai to join in the ceremony of installing Buddhist relics
from Sri Lanka at Wat Phra Singh in honor of the 2,600th
anniversary of the Lord Buddha’s enlightenment on May 11, 2012 at 5 p.m.
The ceremony was organized by Chiang
Mai Province and the Sangha Council of Chiang Mai, the Foundation of the
Triple Gems under the Royal Patronage of HRH the Crown Prince and is being
held to celebrate the birth of Buddha and his enlightenment 2,600 years ago.
Additionally, it will honor HM the King’s 85th birthday, HM the
Queen’s 80th birthday and HRH the Crown Prince’s 60th
birthday.
The relics were carried by elephant
back from Three Kings Monument to Wat Phra Singh where the relics will be on
display for veneration from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for ten days.
Prime
Minister Yingluck Shinawatra lights a candle to venerate the relics, which
will be at Wat Phra Singh for ten days for the public to see and light
candles to.
Prime
Minister Yingluck Shinawatra presents offerings of flowers at the ceremony
that was held on May 11, 2012 at Wat Phra Singh.
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Chiang Mai prepares for dengue fever in the rainy season
The Mae Kha
Canal is filled with quick growing water hyacinth and other invasive pest
plants; the city has begun removing the plants.
Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn joined city
workers to inspect dredging of Mae Kha Canal near the dusit D2 Hotel on
Thursday, May 10, 2012. The Mae Kha Canal is overgrown with water hyacinth
and the city has been working to remove the plants and other growth impeding
the flow of water in the canal to prepare for the upcoming rainy season.
The Mayor said that the canal is very
important for the city as it catches water overflow from roads and if the
canal is not able to take up the overflow then drainage will be disrupted.
The city is in the process of removing massive amounts of the quick growing
and invasive water hyacinth and other pest plants. He said they hope to have
11 km fully dredged so that the water will be able to flow through quickly.
The city is working on fixing the sewers, cleaning out street drainage and
the Sri Donchai bridges.
He noted that the Mae Kha canal is the
second most important waterway after the Ping River which has also been
undergoing dredging and cleaning in preparation for the rainy season. He
concluded that while this will not solve the problem permanently in areas
that flood in heavy and persistent rains like last year but that it will
help to accelerate the flow of movement of water and that along with
installing water pumps that should help alleviate flooding.
Chiang Mai
Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn discusses the dredging plans.
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Flood protection projects being implemented
Inspector
General of the Prime Minister’s Office Chamroen Yuttithamsakul meets with
the Deputy Governor and Provincial officials to discuss the progress of
flood control projects.
Nopniwat Krailerg
The Inspector General of the Prime Minister’s Office Chamroen Yuttithamsakul
reported on May 11, 2012 that implementation of flood protection and
landslide warning projects was moving along with the 111 km dredging project
of the Ping River nearing 95 percent completion and the 61 km dredging of
the Mae Kuang River had been fully completed.
The landslide warning system has reached 87 percent completion and that city
flood warning systems were more than 80 percent complete. More than 200
million Baht of the 575 million Baht earmarked for flood control in Chiang
Mai has already been distributed and the government expects that the
projects will all be fully completed in time for the rainy season.
Chamroen noted that there had been a 600 million Baht budget nationwide for
300,000 projects across the country and that he had been tasked by the Prime
Minister’s Office to investigate their progress and to put pressure on the
responsible Provincial agencies to accelerate completion of the projects.
Timely completion of flood control projects will build confidence among both
Thai people and foreign investors.
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Governor checks consumer prices at Thanin Market
Governor
M.L. Panadda Diskul checks out prices on both fresh and cooked food at
Thanin Market on Thursday, May 11 2012.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Mai Governor M.L. Panadda Diskul toured Thanin Market on May 11, 2012
with Panjit Pitsawong, Head of the Chiang Mai Office of Commerce and staff
to check out prices of key consumer products in Chiang Mai upon reports of
price increases.
The Governor noted that the market was popular with the middle class,
including government officials, and with students, where a bag of
pre-prepared food is around 30-40 baht, which is still considered within the
normal price range. Most vendors say they have not put their prices up
despite the news in the media of rising consumer prices.
“The government has instructed officials to monitor price increases to
ensure that consumers are not being exploited. The state has established a
team to keep track of the various products in the markets every day and to
send the data back to the provincial office,” the Governor said. The
Governor noted that Thanin Market is quite well known for being a very good,
clean fresh market that follows hygiene regulations.
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Auspicious license plate number auction
The 301
lucky license plates to go up for auction on May 26 and 27, 2012.
Nopniwat Krailerg
The next auction of auspicious license plate numbers will be held at the
Empress Hotel on May 26 and May 27 with the auction expected to bring in at
least 25 million Baht for the road safety fund, according to Director of the
Chiang Mai Land Transport Office, Chanchai Keelapaeng.
The number of license plates to go on auction, 301 in total, was picked
during a ceremony of the Brahman Muni at Suthat Thepwararam Temple. The
license plate numbers will carry “Treasures of Lanna and the precious Nakorn
Ping”. The number 301 is considered propitious for fortune and careers.
The Director noted that the auction of lucky number plates has brought in
more than a hundred million Baht to the Road Safety fund over the years.
Official election results announced for City Council
Voters
gather at the Municipality in this file photo from Election Day.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Apichart Sukhagganond, the Chairman of
the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) announced the
official results for the May 3 City Council elections in Nakornping, Kawila,
Mengrai and Sriwichai sub districts.
The Chiang Mai Khunnatham Party won 18
seats to the Khon Muang Pattana Party’s 6 seats, all in the Sriwichai
Sub-District.
Municipal Council members from the
Nakornping Sub District are Pornrudee Putthisri, Pornpaka Takranta,
Akkaradej Udomsiridumrong, Krisada Saeteao, Dusit Buranapim and Surapol
Maneekat.
Area 2 Kawila Sub District winners are
Surapong Pongsumakorn, Yuthana Rangsiyanant, Thipaporn Chompurat, Wilaiporn
Putthisri, Daran Sireelert and Pojjana Srisilpnant.
The Council members from Mengrai Sub
District are Natkritra Puangtong, Arkom Kanthawong, Wichai Sirirat, Pisuth
Phisuthakul, Rachin Tantranont, and Napaporn Yamsiri.
Area 4, Sriwichai Sub District winners
from the Khon Muang Pattana Party are Thanadol Worawan, Punyada
Fungkittikul, Supapan Pawarana, Ratsarin Pinkunpiphat, Supansri Kanjanaket
and Kiattisak Kuiarpai.
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Consumer protection day in Chiang Mai
Deputy
Governor Worakarn Yokying joined students and community leaders in Thai
Consumer Protection Day.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Mai’s Deputy Governor Worakarn
Yokying presided over the opening of Thai Consumer Protection Day at the
Mercure Hotel on May 11, 2012. The Consumer Protection Agency and the Office
of Public Health organized the seminar to build awareness on the safeguards
of consumer protection in Thailand, including the establishment of an
independent organization to investigate consumer fraud, and to push for the
enforcement of legal measures to protect consumers in a serious manner.
The Deputy Governor said that the
Consumer Protection Agency was there to help consumers in all areas, from
cars to other areas and worked to prevent fraudulent practices, noting that
the buyer should not take advantage of the seller either.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony held today at Sanam Luang
The annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony at
Sanam Luang near the Grand Palace in Bangkok, and the accompanying
Cultivation Ceremony held at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha the day
before, are of great significance in Thailand. This year the ceremonies take
place on May 9 and 10.
Oxen are
guided by royal attendants during royal ploughing ceremonies in Bangkok. (AP
Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
During the ceremonies, appropriate
strains of different grains for cultivating crops are selected just prior to
the planting season, and rituals are performed to interpret the year’s
harvest. Grain selection is an important consideration when planting crops,
as the crops rely on soil, ample rainfall and other natural factors.
The Cultivation Ceremony is also
performed to help keep the different grains free from disease, producing a
bountiful harvest.
His Majesty the King, accompanied by
Her Majesty the Queen, has presided over the Cultivation Ceremony held at
the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the past but recently, HRH Crown Prince
Maha Vajiralongkorn has performed the ceremony.
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony signals
the beginning of the planting season in Thailand. Two well cared for oxen of
the same color pull an ancient plow, breaking the ground so that sacred
seeds may be planted. Two other oxen wait in reserve.
Two Brahman priests sprinkling sacred
water along the path lead the royal procession, with its nine-tiered royal
umbrella.
Two pairs of female guardians carry
grain in one gold and one silver container following behind the ploough,
seeding the tilled ground.
Three circuits tilling the earth around
Sanam Luang are completed and at the end the oxen are offered seven types of
foods to select from: rice grain, corn, peas, sesame, liqueur, water and
grass. Brahman priests then interpret their selection.
Following the ceremony, many people
collect the seeds from the ground to keep as sacred objects promising a
prosperous year, while others sow the ceremonial seeds mixed in with other
seeds to sanctify the season’s crop. Many farmers in several provinces will
sow their crops on this day as it is considered to be a most auspicious day.
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HRH Princess Soamsawali Opened The Royal Agricultural Hall of Kings
HRH Princess Soamsawali opens
the new Royal Agricultural Hall of Kings for Chiang Mai University on May 8,
2012.
Nopniwat Krailerg
HRH Princess Soamsawali presided over
the opening ceremony of the Royal Agricultural Hall of Kings at the Mae Hia
Demonstration and Training Center for the Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai
University on Tuesday, May 8, 2012.
The new Agriculture Hall was built to
exhibit the genius of Thai agriculture and to honor HM the King’s patronage
of agriculture. The Hall was built in honor of HM the King’s 85th
birthday, HM the Queen’s 80th birthday and HRH the Crown Prince’s
60th birthday.
HRH Princess Soamsawali then visited
the exhibition of the National Agricultural Fair 2012 which was organized by
the Ministry of Agriculture and CMU which is behind held until May 10 on
over 800 rai of land.
Registration begins for new MP elections
Chiang Mai Mail online reporters
Monday, May 7 marked the first day of
registration for the election of the Region 3 Member of Parliament. Region 3
encompasses Mae On, San Kamphaeng and Doi Saket Districts. The daughter of
former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, Chinicha was evicted from the seat
after the Election Commission found her guilty of filing false assets
declarations and barred her from politics for 5 years.
The only candidate to register on the
first day was Kamol Nimmolrat of the Pheu Thai Party. Registration will be
open until May 11, 2012 and new elections are scheduled for June 2, 2012.
After Chinicha was removed as Member of Parliament, the Election Commission
ruled that by elections must be held within 45 days.
Flash flood warnings across the North
Despite the respite from the heavy
rains of the past few days, the Thai Meteorological Department issued a
warning for flash floods from sporadic and isolated heavy showers around the
North in the next few days. The Department of Mineral Resources has warned
of landslides due to the heavy rains and Phrae has already seen a section of
the Den Chai-Lampang road in the Long District. 9 people were rescued from
Opkhan National Park after flash floods closed off the main exit.
Parts of the South have also been
issued warnings; the provinces include Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai,
Phayao, Nan, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Uttaradit, Ranong and Phang-nga.
Mayor visits city pawn shops
Chiang Mai Mayor Tussanai
Buranupakorn discusses the increased business at Municipality pawn shops as
parents ready for the coming school year.
Chiang Mai Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn
visited the Municipality’s three pawn shops on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 to
determine how many people were visiting the shops to take out loans for the
start of the school year. He was informed that the pawn shops had seen an
increase of people coming to the pawn shop for money with an average month
seeing 300 people per day and now increasing to over 400 per day. The
Municipality has three pawn shops set up around the city with a budget of 30
million Baht each up to a total of 100 million baht, and if demand outstrips
that budget a further 270 million Baht can be supplemented from the
municipality.
The mayor also said the pawn shop loans
at a fair rate and that it is better to use the pawn services here than to
borrow money outside the system with a loan shark who may charge high
interest rates.
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Thailand celebrates Wan Chatramongkhol (Coronation Day) May 5
The Chiang Mai Mail joins the
nation in celebrating Coronation Day on Saturday May 5, 2012. Monday, May 7
will be a public holiday to honor the day. (Photo courtesy of the Bureau of
the Royal Household)
Saturday, May 5 marks the 62nd
anniversary of the Coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the
Great. Since the day is celebrated as a national holiday, and = all
government offices and commercial banks close for the day, the holiday will
be held on Monday, May 7, 2012.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the
Great took a sacred oath upon ascending the throne to rule with
Righteousness, for the Benefit and Happiness of the Thai people, which He
has done magnificently, garnering tremendous respect from His people. HM
King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great is the longest reigning monarch in the
world. Long Live the King!
Chiang Mai
Governor M.L. Panadda Diskul led the celebrations honoring the Coronation
Day of HM the King at CMU Convention Hall on Saturday May 5, 2012. (Photo
courtesy of CityNow!)
Each year on the 5th of May, the
Kingdom of Thailand commemorates the day when, in 1950, the Coronation
Ceremony was held for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, the 9th
in the Chakri Dynasty (Rama IX).
HM the King, after studying in Europe,
returned to Thailand and was crowned King during an elaborate and highly
intricate ceremony that out lavished all previous coronations in Thailand.
A week prior to His being crowned King,
on April 28, 1950, H.M. King Bhumibol and Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitayakara
were married. Following the Coronation, HM the King returned to Switzerland
to continue studying.
The Coronation Ceremony reinforces the
stature of the Kings of Thailand. The first such elaborate ceremony was
performed when Pho Khun Phamuang succeeded Pho Khun Bangklangthao as the
ruling King of Muang Sukhothai. Phaya Lithai, a former leader in Sukhothai,
left a historical record in stone describing the coronation ceremony in
Sukhothai at Wat Srikhum.
The elaborate coronation ceremony of
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great included all the ancient
rituals required for assuming the full title and the nine-tiered umbrella.
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej then bestowed the honor posthumously on His
brother HM King Ananda Mahidol. HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s benevolent act
raised HM King Ananda Mahidol’s regal status from seven to a nine-tiered
umbrella.
The annual coronation ceremony is
currently a three-day affair, starting with a ritual “tham boon” ceremony on
May 3 to honor the King’s ancestors. Later on the first day, another
ceremony is performed, whereby flags of honor are issued to distinguish
various military units.
The following day, Buddhist ceremonies
continue with chanting rituals, prayers and Brahman priests announcing the
auspicious occasion forthcoming the next day (May 5).
On the 5th of May, His Majesty conducts
a merit making ceremony, presenting offerings to Buddhist monks, and leads a
“Wien Thien” ceremony, walking three times around sacred grounds at the
Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
In the evening the King conducts
another sacred ceremony: changing the yellow cloth on the Emerald Buddha,
the guardian symbol protecting the Thai people, which was transferred from
Thonburi to Wat Phra Kaew by Rama I.
Many rooms in the Royal Palace are
opened for public viewing on Coronation Day. Auspicious ceremonies are
performed and displays depicting Royal achievements are exhibited to
reconfirm the King’s stature.
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Supermoon this month
Comparisons of a regular moon
(top) and a supermoon (bottom) (Photo from Wikimedia.com)
Both a “supermoon” and a meteor shower
are expected to fill the night skies this month. The supermoon is the
biggest full moon, appearing 14 percent larger and 30% brighter than the
rest of the full moons during 2012. Also known as a perigee moon, it is
because the moon follows an elliptical orbit around the Earth and the
perigee leg is when the moon is 50,000 km closer to the Earth. The moon will
reach its closest point to the Earth this year on May 6, at 3:34 a.m. UT
when it will be 356,953 km from the Earth. While it won’t be at the absolute
perigee when the moon rises in Thailand it will still be large and bright.
Last year’s supermoon was last year in March when the moon was 400 km
closer. Perigee moons are actually pretty common and despite doom and gloom
predictions, so far, nothing much has happened except the sky is very
bright!
The Eta Aquarid meteor showers are
expected around the same time but the brightness of the moon may overpower
any meteors to spot. May 20 will see a partial or annular solar eclipse, the
sun will rise in Thailand only partially eclipsed while parts of North
America will see about 95 percent coverage.
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UNWTO meeting opens in Chiang Mai
Secretary General of the
United Nations World Tourism Organization addresses the seminar.
Nopniwat Krailerg
The United Nations World Tourism
Organization (UNWTO) met at the Le Meridien Hotel on May 3, 2012 for the 24th
joint meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific the
UNWTO Commission for South Asia at the Regional Conference on Green Tourism.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Tourism and Sports Chumphon Silpa-archa joined Secretary General of the
UNWTO Dr. Taleb Rifai, the Minister of Arts and Culture from the Maldives
Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor and Chiang Mai Governor M.L. Panadda Diskul at
the meeting which saw 153 participants from 23 countries.
Chiang Mai
Governor M.L. Panadda Diskul is seen here with the visiting speakers.
Minister Silpa-archa noted that tourism
in Thailand has been the first business to recover and grow rapidly after
the flood crisis of last year generating 700,000 million Baht in revenue per
year. The government is implementing forward looking policies to promote and
support travel in Thailand within 5 years as well as ensure security and
build confidence for tourists. Additionally, Thailand is working on
developing transportation links with their neighboring countries to help
ease travel in the region.
The Secretary General noted the UNWTO’s
satisfaction in Chiang Mai for the meeting, noting that not only is it a
safe destination but that it is center of Arts and Culture and has a growing
reputation for green tourism in the world.
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Chiang Mai’s creative design awarded
Award winners joined Creative
City Committee members, judges and the Mayor and Deputy Governor for a group
photo.
Shana Kongmun
Chiang Mai is renowned for its art and
culture, its history and beauty and, with the creative efforts of artists,
designers, architects and restaurants is earning a reputation for its
creative endeavours as well. The Creative City Committee assembled a group
of judges to award the best designs, the winners were revealed at the Chiang
Mai Design Awards on May 3, 2012.
Chiang Mai Deputy Governor Worakran
Yokying opened the ceremony
praising the creative works and the flourishing of art and culture in the
city and across the province. Chiang Mai Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn then
quickly handed out the awards in architecture, decorative items and crafts,
jewelry and fashion and new media. Notable winners include the unique and
green Panyaden School made out of rammed earth and adobe, EZA Design known
for their gorgeous timber bamboo furniture, the Royal Project Shop on
Suthep, Onyx Export for their fantastic water hyacinth furniture, new kid on
the block 137 Pillars House with its stunning new hotel and resort, Digital
Zoo and CMMap for their media work and Rubber Killer and Metal Work in
Fashion and Jewelry along with many other noteworthy businesses in Chiang
Mai, both Thai and foreign owned.
The Chiang Mai Design Awards is a non-profit endeavor that works to
recognize, support and promote innovative design in Chiang Mai and to bring
the designs of Chiang Mai to the world.
Panyaden
School won in the Architecture category for their flowing and natural green
campus made of rammed earth and recycled products.
Deputy
Governor Worakarn Yokying (far right) and Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn (2nd
left) join Creative City Committee members at the start of the award
program.
Manfred Ilg
of the new 137 Pillars House won in the Architecture Design award category.
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Police ready for school traffic jams
Pol. Col. Sitthichai
Tananchai, Chief of the Chiang Mai Traffic Police, reported on the plans for
the upcoming school year.
Nopniwat Krailerg
The Chief of the Chiang Mai Traffic
Police, Pol. Col. Sitthichai Tananchai , reported on police readiness to
deal with the influx of traffic in the city and traffic jams created by the
opening of schools on May 16, 2012. He noted that the number of parents
bringing their own children to school is quite high contributing to the
traffic and noted that Charoenphratet and Kaewnawarat Roads have a high
concentration of schools and will see heavy traffic at the beginning and end
of each school day. He said measures will be taken to ease the flow of
traffic in these areas as well as others.
He noted that the top 5 most congested
areas were the Sandek intersection of Charoen Prathet Road, the Rincome
intersection at Huay Kaew Road, the Nong Hoi intersection at Mahidol Road,
The streets in front of Princes Royal College, Dara Wittayalai School,
Sacred Heart School, and Varee School were also spots with heavy traffic
jams. He added that back up in one place affected other areas such as the
Airport, Ton Payom Market and the Kuang Singha intersection.
He said the traffic police will work to
facilitate the movement of traffic around school and that they plan to
enforce the laws against cars that park and block traffic as well as drive
down the wrong way on scheduled one way streets.
The police will coordinate with school
administrators to enable more parking at the schools for parents and to work
with traffic police who will direct traffic.
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Public Health Office checks medical warehouse for pseudoephedrine
Wattana Kanchanakamol, Chief
of Chiang Mai Public health Office and Staff check out the medicine
storehouse at Siam Chai Co., Ltd. on May 4, 2012.
Nopniwat Krailerg
The Chief of the Chiang Mai Public
Health Office Dr. Wattana Kanchanakamol and the Head of the Consumer
Protection Office visited a medical warehouse on Suriyawong Road on May 4,
2012 to inspect the contents and ensure that there was no pseudoephedrine
there.
The Ministry of Public Health announced
that any drugs containing pseudoephedrine would be restricted and that all
medicine containing it must be returned to the manufacturer before May 3,
2012. The inspection visit was to ensure that the announcement was being
followed by medical companies.
An audit of the company documents
showed that there were no cold medicines remaining containing a mixture of
pseudoephedrine and that the new cold formulas such as Sulidine CP and
Nasolin PL contained a different mixture of compounds; Chlorpheniramine
Maleate and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride.
Dr. Wattana Kanchanakamol said that
people who had cold medicine containing pseudoephedrine at home should
return them to the Public Health Office as the only licensed distributors
are now government hospitals although some private hospitals are licensed to
use the drug. The pharmacist is the only legal authority for this drug and
Dr. Wattana said that if people are unsure as to the contents of a cold
medicine to consult a pharmacist or hospital.
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San Sai Police crack down on drugs suspects
Police in San Sai crack down
on drug users and theft on May 1 and 2, 2012.
Nopniwat Krailerg
The Deputy Commissioner of Police
Region 5, Pol. Maj. Gen. Chamnan Ruadrew and San Sai police officers
announced the arrest of 12 people over May 1 and 2, 2012 in a major
crackdown on drug traffickers in San Sai.
The police set up a road blockade and
arrested 12 people with 2,166 methamphetamine pills or Yaba. The week also
saw the arrest of Maitri Sangmaneechan, age 42, with 8 motorcycles and a
handgun.
The Court also issued an arrest warrant
for Wichean Maneelam, age 22 of Ayutthaya, who has been accused of robbery
with a firearm at the SPA Computer Shop in San Sai.
Sixteen districts suffer from drought conditions
Komsan Suwanampha, Chief of
the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office reports on the drought
situation around Chiang Mai.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Sixteen districts in Chiang Mai
Province are experiencing drought conditions and the drought has affected
240,000 people, Komsan Suwanampha, Chief of the Disaster Prevention and
Mitigation Office for Chiang Mai reported recently.
Additionally over 38,000 rai of
farmland has been affected by the drought, with areas outside irrigation
areas seeing shortages of water for agriculture. Additionally, the intense
heat has caused major losses in lychee crops locally, with 70 % of the crop
expected to be lost this year.
So far the government has only been
able to provide drought assistance to people in Chom Thong, Mae Cham, Doi
Lor, San Kampaeng and Samoeng Districts. There have been 89 assistance
projects initiated with a total budget of 4.7 million baht.
22 districts have been hit hard by
damaging summer storms, with one death in Mae Cham in March from lightning.
More than 45,000 households have suffered damage from high winds and strong
storms. Additionally, Wiang Haeng and San Sai have had a very minor
earthquake in April of only 1.8 on the Richter scale.
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Seminar on the Lanna identity in the ASEAN Community
A conference on the
preservation of Chiang Mai’s Lanna identity in the upcoming ASEAN economic
integration.
Nopniwat Krailerg
The Chiang Mai Broadcasters and
Reporters Association held a seminar on the Lanna identity within the ASEAN
Community at Tha Pae Gate on April 28, 2012. Led by Permanent Secretary
Adisorn Kanmerdsiri, President of the Northern Thai Journalists Association
Insom Panyasopha and Panom Meesuk , President of The Association of the
Northern Tourism Federation, the seminar was held to exchange ideas on the
upcoming ASEAN integration in 2015 and its impact on Northern Thailand’s
Lanna culture and economy.
Adisorn Kamnerdsiri pointed out that
Thailand ranked 9 out of 10 member states as far as awareness and knowledge
of the upcoming integration. He noted that the three major issues concerning
the integration were security, economic and social stability. He expressed
concern that Chiang Mai retain its unique cultural identity and that people
must learn to adapt to the upcoming integration where rapid changes in
member nations are expected as they integrate.
He said that it was important that
Chiang Mai and Thailand’s culture won’t be swallowed up by trends, noting
the preponderance of trendy Japanese and Korean fashions.
Insom Panyasopha added that people will
need to learn at least three languages, especially English because of the
influx of people coming to work and study in the next three years. The
city’s major cultural attractions and organizations will have to work
together.
Panom Meesuk said that the enduring
cultural identity with Buddhism was key to Chiang Mai retaining its Lanna
identity and that the abbots and monks will play a key role in retaining and
recovering that identity.
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Renovation due for Kanchanapisek Park
The Chiang Mai Municipality
has plans to begin renovation on Kanchanapisek Park next to Suan Prung
Psychiatric Hospital. This small park is one of the valuable green spaces in
the city and Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn and Municipal officials visited the
park on April 25, 2012 to discuss plans to turn it into a pleasant park for
residents. (Photo courtesy of Chiang Mai Municipality).
Chiang Mai Governor visits Central Prison
Chiang Mai Governor M.L.
Panadda Diskul visited with prisoners at Chiang Mai’s Central Prison and
discussed the drug problem with the Commander there.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Mai Governor ML Panadda Diskul
visited the Chiang Mai Central Prison to meet and discuss the drug problem
present in many prisons in Thailand with the Commander of Chiang Mai Central
Prison Piroon Norkeaw on May 1, 2012.
The Commander said that the prison is
limited to 9 rai and has 2,000 male prisoners in a 5 storey building. There
has been overcrowding in the prison due to the measures to combat drugs. He
informed the governor that from October 2010 to April 2012 there has been 30
prisoners found with Yaba, one with marijuana, 9 alcohol related cases and
17 cases of people sniffing thinner in the prison.
Officers have permission to search the
cells and have found visiting relatives smuggling drugs in food and gifts
brought in to the prison.
Random urine tests from a selection of
high risk groups found that 351 prisoners out of 1,630 tested positive for
methamphetamine. Additionally 72 mobile phones were found after searching
prisoners. The Governor said that the prison needs to rigorously investigate
prisoners and visitors so as to bring these numbers down to zero, he added
that the fact the prison staff had allowed this much to be smuggled in was a
disgrace and that they needed to work to rebuild public trust. The Governor
added that the Chiang Mai Prison should become a standard for all other
prisons to follow” and that all measures should be implemented in both men
and women’s prisons.
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Monks caught gambling in Lamphun
The Abbots
of three separate temples, one in Chiang Mai and two in Lamphun, were
defrocked and arrested after being caught gambling in Lamphun.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Police Bureau Region 5 Police arrested
3 Buddhist monks and 8 people for gambling in a longan plantation in
Lamphun. The police found Phra Kru Kosolpariyat, the Abbot of Wat Tha Kham
in Mae Hia in Chiang Mai gambling with Phra Sawaeng Panyawilo, the Abbot Wat
Wang Sakaeng in Viang Nonglong District in Lamphun and Phra Kru Supoj
Siriwanno, the Abbot of Wat Pa Por in Pasang, Lamphun.
The three monks were defrocked by the
Deputy Abbot for Lamphun Province immediately and then taken to the police
station for prosecution. Also arrested was the organizer of the gambling
party, Nuan Kruapang, confessed to police that she hosted the gambling
sessions.
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