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Mass aerobics to honor HM the King
Supatatt Dangkrueng
Correctional institutions all over Thailand held mass
aerobic activities for prisoners to show respect to His Majesty the King.
Director of Chiang Mai Correctional Institute, Nawwarat Tanasrisutarat, said
this activity happened all over the country at 9.09 a.m. More than 2,200
prisoners carried out the mass aerobics for 60 minutes following the lead
set by the prison officials.
More
than 2,200 women housed at Chiang Mai Women’s Correctional Institute wore
yellow and followed prison officials’ steps in a mass aerobics exercise to
honor HM the King on His birthday.
The mass aerobics involved more than 250,000 female
prisoners in Thailand performing the aerobics to celebrate His Majesty the
King’s birthday, and they also made a promise together that they will not
be involved with drugs in the future.
Nawwarat stated that there were regular aerobics in the
Chiang Mai Correctional Institute, starting at 3 p.m. for about an hour
every day. It is deemed to be successful and the women enjoy the aerobics as
it is good healthy exercise.
The Chiang Mai Women’s Correctional Institute supports many activities
on many occasions such as the King and the Queen’s birthdays, Songkran
Festival, and the New Year Celebrations.
Nimmanhaeminda Street comes alive during 3rd Arts & Design Festival
This year’s Nimmanhaeminda Street Festival opened at 5
p.m. on the 5th of December, the King’s Birthday, with a huge crowd of
onlookers and a large number of VIPs in attendance. Juthamas Siriwan, the
governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, was kind enough to preside
over the opening ceremony.
The
festive spirit sparked over to everyone when the VIPs and guests lit their
candles and sang the King’s anthem.
The normally quiet street sprang to life when about 80
local artists, private citizens, galleries and studios provided a wide range
of high quality gifts, fabrics, paintings, household decorative items and
food, which are normally not available elsewhere in town.
One of
the beautiful dresses presented by an even more beautiful model.
The friendly and joyful atmosphere attracted foreign
tourists as well as locals who were on the lookout for Christmas presents
and any kind of knick-knack, which you never knew you needed until you saw
it on Nimmanhaeminda Street.
The entertainment program varied during the 4 days of the
fair and included fashion shows, children’s art, local & international
musicians, traditional music played by senior citizens, and stunning
performances by talented members of the Chiang Mai Ballet. Food stalls
serving snacks, refreshing drinks and tasty local dishes added to the bounty
of enjoyment.
This memorable Art & Design Promenade could take
place because of the truly enthusiastic support of local businesses,
sponsorship from ‘The Nation Group’, Thai Airways and the Tourism
Authority of Thailand (TAT) with the assistance of the tireless work by
staff at the Amari Rincome Hotel.
Everyone agreed that this Art & Design Promenade was one of the
highlights of the year, and all are looking forward for the next one in
2003.
Ex-governor appointed director general of disaster department
Kosin Kedthong, former governor of Chiang Mai Province,
has been promoted to director general of the Department of Public Disaster
and Relieve and Prevention Work, Ministry of Interior.
His friends and colleagues recently honored him at a
thank you party held recently at Khum Khantoke Restaurant for people who
supported the Quadrangle Expo 2002. Many local dignitaries were on hand to
congratulate the newly appointed director general, including Rachan
Veeraphan, the president of Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce and chairman of
the working committee for the Quadrangle Economic development plan,
representing 10 provincial chambers of commerce in the North.
Rachan Veeraphan (right), president of
Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the working committee for the
Quadrangle Economic development plan, presenting a bouquet of flowers to
congratulate former Chiang Mai governor Kosin Kedthong on his promotion to
director general of the Department of Public Disaster and Relieve and
Prevention Work, Ministry of Interior.
Local protest postpones wildlife sanctuary tax in Mae Hong Son
After a rumor that a protest was to be held in Ban Tham
Lod on December 4, the 200 baht entrance fee to the Pai Wildlife Sanctuary
was suspended, at least temporarily.
On the day the protest was scheduled to take place, the
director of the Pai Wildlife Sanctuary met with the governor of the Mae Hong
Son Province, local authorities of Soppong District and representatives of
the local people.
After an open discussion, the director of the wildlife
sanctuary, a very understanding person, decided to suspend the collecting of
a 200 baht entrance fee until a local proposal can be sent to the Royal
Forestry Department in Bangkok. This proposal could, if passed, lead to an
entrance pass to all wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks in the province
for a limited duration.
The Royal Forestry Department will still have to study
this proposition.
A positive answer also could be the beginning of a
nationwide solution to the 2 years old problem of the national parks
entrance fee.
Business development services for rural enterprises
The Institute for Small and Medium Enterprise Development
at Chiangmai University, in collaboration with Larenstein University of
Professional Education in the Netherlands, recently held courses on Business
Development Services for Rural Enterprises. The participants were alumni of
Larenstein University from 10 Asian countries: Philippines, China, Vietnam,
Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
For Larenstein University, an institution in the
Netherlands with international Bachelor and Master programs in a wide range
of agricultural and rural development disciplines, this was the 10th
refresher course conducted in different African and Asian countries. This
year Larenstein decided to conduct the course in Thailand as in the last ten
years the institution has had a substantial number of students from this
country. Moreover, initiatives in Thailand in the field of business
development services for rural enterprises are an interesting ground for the
contents of the course.
In the framework of the course, participants undertook
fieldwork in Lampang Province. After examination of five villages in the
province they collected information for the development of business ideas
that were discussed with local authorities during the course. The groups of
participants will also have twenty interviews with business development
services in the fields of food processing, ceramics, finance, training,
research and networking. They will present the findings in a small
conference at the end of the course as well as in a draft report to be
handed over to the Lampang authorities.
For further information please contact Mrs. Pornthip
Pieper, tel. (66-53) 942459, 942460, fax: (66-53) 892189.
Toyota upgrades local garage mechanics
Boxing Day present from Japan’s largest automakers
Toyota Motor Thailand Ltd., is holding a free Toyota
Mechanics Common Rail Orientation Program (M-COP) for mechanics working in
both private garages and government centers, on December 26 at the Chiang
Mai Orchid Hotel.
Paiboon Waikwamdee, deputy chief executive of Toyota
Motor Thailand Ltd., revealed, “Toyota has arranged this seminar to thank
Chiang Mai for its support of Toyota, and to introduce mechanics to the new
common rail technology which we use with our latest automobiles.”
Pattanadej Arsasappakij, a famous automobile technology
columnist will address the seminar, which will accept only 100 participants.
For further information, tel. 0-2651 9649-50 / 0-2651 8989 ext. 445.
Will Chiang Mai become an IT city?
Proposal put forward by ASOCIO
Phitsanu Thepthong
Chiang Mai could become an IT city in the near future,
according to the Asian-Oceania Computer Industry Organization at its recent
20th ASOCIO General Assembly & Symposium. The conference, held at the
Westin Riverside Plaza Hotel, aimed at promoting e-government as the main
theme, which it is thought could develop Chiang Mai as the IT city.
Boonrak Sarakanond, vice president of the Association of
Thai Computer Industry (ATCI), also a member of ASOCIO said this concept
would boost Chiang Mai as an IT city and could help attract both Thai and
foreign investment. “Chiang Mai is strategically located with convenient
transport links, and is very attractive for entrepreneurs from USA and Japan
... who are keen on software development here.
The recent meeting of regional IT ministers and ASOCIO
had participation from 13 IT ministers and representatives from this region,
as well as member countries of ASOCIO including Japan, Australia, Korea, and
Singapore.
APEC discussion slated for this month
Supatatt Dangkrueng
Thailand’s Ministry of Finance will host the 15th Asia
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) for the Financial Ministers’ Technical
Working Group Meeting December 16-18 at the Imperial Maeping Hotel in Chiang
Mai.
Topics to be discussed in Chiang Mai include focusing on
‘Local Link, Global Research - A New APEC Financial cooperation’ plus
‘Grass-Roots and SME Development’, ‘Regional Bond Market’ and
‘Free Trade Arrangement’.
It is hoped that the meeting in Chiang Mai will be
successful and its results will be the cornerstones of the 10th APEC Finance
Ministers’ Meeting next year, which is aimed at looking at the macro
economy and Asia-Pacific financial status, and to support trade and economic
cooperation.
All the members from 21 economic zones, including
Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia,
Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru,
Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, United States of America, Vietnam
and Thailand are represented.
Villages go on planting spree to celebrate HM the King’s birthday
Metinee Chaikuna
The Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization
arranged a ceremony of donating plants to local people in order to celebrate
the King’s 75th birthday. The ceremony was presided over by Pisit
Khetphasook, Chiang Mai governor.
Udonpan
Chantraviroj, chief executive of the Provincial Administration Organization,
performs a religious ceremony at the opening of the plants donation to
celebrate HM the King’s birthday.
760,000 sprouts were given to around 2,001 villages and organizations.
Monks from 22 districts and 2 sub-districts of Chiang Mai and 28 abbots were
invited to carry out the ordination ceremony for the plants.
Great prizes on offer at Winter Fair
Come one, come all, and help the Red Cross
Metinee Chaikuna
Many prizes have been donated by organizations in Chiang
Mai for the upcoming Winter Fair later this month. For the Provincial Red
Cross, the raffling of prizes represents a major fund raising effort and
visitors to the fair can try their luck at the Red Cross booth.
Samerkhae
Khetphasook, president of the Provincial Red Cross of Chiang Mai Chapter,
urges people to come on out for the Winter Fair later this month.
On December 9, Samerkhae Khetphasook, the wife of the
provincial governor and president of the Chiang Mai Chapter of the
Provincial Red Cross stated that the committee were already collecting
raffle prizes, but if there were not enough, the Red Cross would try to get
more. “Any prizes left over will be donated to poor children in our
province, anyway,” she said.
However, she asked that more people visit the Winter Fair
than last year, and to also support the Red Cross because all of the revenue
from selling these tickets would go towards charitable endeavors.
Mrs. Samerkhae said that one of the main activities of
the fair was the raffle ticket drawing in the Red Cross booth, but other
highlights of the fair were famous actors and actresses who had accepted to
join the fair activities and the beauty contest. Also, the governor would
encourage people involved in the “One Village - One Product” project to
put their products up for sale.
The Red Cross Fair will begin on December 27 near Chiang Mai city hall.
Herbs from the Royal Project Foundation on display
at Doi Kham Fair
The Royal Project Foundation presents the Doi Kham Fair
December 27-29 at the Chiang Mai University Art Museum, Nimmanhaemin Rd. The
fair is held annually to promote Royal Project Foundation products. This
year there will be an exhibition, a seminar titled “herbal plants from the
Royal Project area for trade”, and stalls where herbs and products of the
Royal Project Foundation will be on sale.
The Royal Project has been planting herbs since 1969, but
due to weather and soil conditions, not many plants can grow effectively in
Thailand. Eventually, plant experts brought in new kinds of plants from
other countries to try them in Thailand’s earth, and researched herb
production.
As the market for herbs expands, the project, too,
expands, offering more products, the profits of which then go to support
hill tribe agriculture. People working with the Royal Project Foundation’s
herbal plants project have been working on every aspect of the herbs:
research, production, marketing, and trading. The list of products made from
herbs is extensive, and includes cosmetics, medicines, aroma oil, and more.
There are over 220 different kinds of herbs being
gathered by hill tribe people as part of the project. 28 different kinds of
herbs are being used commercially. Products and byproducts made from these
herbs are being used by both the government and private companies, like
Chiang Mai University, Nguan Soon Company, Thai-Chinese Industry Company,
and Skyline Laboratory Ltd.
Letting children have fun at the Toys Library
A Toys Library has been opened for Chiang Mai children at
the Northern Child Development Center behind the Nakhon Ping Hospital. It is
supported by the Japanese Government and the Japan Small Scale-Grant
Assistance (SSGA). This library is designed to encourage childhood
development and be a learning source which can provide equipment to support
that aim.
The activities at the Toys Library include lending and
return service, instruction and demonstration of equipment and skill
testing.
The Toys Library not only supports the children, but also
helps the parents by selling the products made by those participating in the
vocational project of the center to increase local families’ incomes.
The Toys Library now has 63 members. Anyone can become a
subscriber by paying a 100 baht annual fee. The equipment provided includes
local natural product toys made from clay, bamboo, and coconut shell as well
as plastic and metal toys. The library is open daily from 9 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.
except weekends.
A future project is to hold training in the usage of toys
for child development. Interested people who want to subscribe for this
training or become a member can contact 0-5389-0238-44 ext. 3210.
The Northern Child Development Center Chiang Mai is
located at 196 Moo 4 Tambon Donkaew, Mae Rim district.
International Convention Center could be built in Chiang Mai
Needs government approval and a billion baht
Tourism and Sports Minister Sonthaya Khunpluem reports
that Chiang Mai has enough potential to site an International Convention
Center. He said that the project is currently under the consideration of the
cabinet but he is confident that Chiang Mai will get the nod.
Phuket is another province selected to have an
International Convention Center as well because both Phuket and Chiang Mai
have enough room capacity to hold a conference in their region.
The construction budget is estimated to be around one
billion baht, but the appropriation committees have yet to review the
architects’ model and construction plans.
The results are expected next month after the Ministry of
Sports and Tourism has proposed the project to the cabinet.
Conflicting reasons given for cosmetic surgery death
By Supatatt Dangkrueng and Metinee Chaikuna
The tragic story of Siriporn Muima, a 17-year-old
schoolgirl from Wattanothai Payap School in Chiang Mai, continues to unfold.
The young girl died while undergoing liposuction cosmetic surgery at the
Charlee Clinic on December 6 in Tambon Haiya, Muang District.
Charlee
Clinic has been closed by order of Sudarat Keyuraphan, the Minster of Public
Health.
Dr Charlee Kanchanarak, the owner of the plastic surgery
clinic where the death occurred, said the girl died of an allergy to the
anti-vomiting medication administered during anaesthesia.
However, the results of the autopsy at the Police
Hospital show that the girl died following bleeding in her lung, with fat
plugged in the vessels (embolism). It was assumed that the cause of the
emboli would be a mishap of the operation. The autopsy is continuing and
further tests are underway.
Parents Kamol and Mrs Bang-earn Muima revealed that their
daughter Siriporn, known as Nong Kung, was a beauty lover that always cared
for her appearance. It was her own decision to have an operation in the
clinic and this was done without the parent’s permission.
The clinic has been temporarily closed during an
investigation ordered by the Minister of Public Health, Sudarat Keyuraphan,
until the results of the examination by Medical Council are released.
While awaiting further examinations, the cremation has been postponed.
Pesticides may have killed peacocks in Nan
Mice plague measures backfire
Nuttanee Thaveephol
100 peacocks were found dead in a cornfield following the
use of pesticide treated grain. The poison was being used by the farmers to
get rid of mice which have been threatening local crops.
A student of Sa School, Wiang Sa District, in Nan
Province found more than 100 peacocks in the forest near Nan River in death
throes while he was rowing a boat along the river. After alighting from the
boat, he saw numerous dead peacocks in the cornfield and reported the fact
to school authorities.
It is assumed that the peacocks died because of the
poison which the farmers use to eliminate the mice, as the peacocks would
eat the corn seeds mixed with toxin. The local people have been asked to try
and get rid of the mice by more natural methods, as toxic chemical use will
eventually cause the extinction of the beautiful peacocks.
Following the discovery of the dead birds, the Sa School
cooperated with Sri Nan National Park to hold a Conservation Camp to
encourage maintenance of the last flock of peacocks in Nan and preserve
natural resources, fauna and flora.
King’s amnesty releases 300 prisoners
from Chiang Mai lock up
All promise to behave
The 8 northern provinces released convicts who had been
imprisoned for minor misdemeanors to present merit to His Majesty the King
on the occasion of his 75th anniversary. Standing in front of portraits of
His Majesty the King, the released prisoners promised to behave in the
future.
The ceremony to release the prisoners from Chiang Mai
Provincial Prison was held December 4 at Thapae Gate grounds, presided over
by Chiang Mai Governor Pisit Khetphasook.
Chiang Mai liberated about 300 prisoners after they
performed civic duties. Phayao released 22 prisoners, Mae Hong Son 17, Nan
20, Chiang Rai 8, Lampang 65, Lamphun 12 and 101 from Phrae.
Police officers will follow up and check on the
prisoners’ behavior after receiving their freedom. All the former convicts
have been instructed by monks and taught to appreciate His Majesty the
King’s mercy. Naturally all the prisoners are very happy and insist that
they will be new persons and will not commit further wrong-doings.
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