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Authorities pursuing 100 more
riverbank dispute cases
Owners being asked to demolish illegal constructions
Phisut Itsaracheewawat
Following the social order decrees from the Thaksin
Shinawatra government, 24 cases of riverbank encroachment are being heard in
the judicial system. These have covered mostly hotels, residences and
restaurants on both the riverbanks of the Mae Ping with most being sued for
invasion and misappropriation of public property and destroying the
river’s natural environment.
 Restaurants
along Mae Ping River are accused of invading public property and have been
asked to demolish them within 35 days.
The Regional Harbor Master’s Office in Chiang Mai is
trying to zone hotels, residences and restaurants on the Mae Ping River and
has issued orders to demolish unauthorized constructions within 35 days. The
24 cases currently due to appear before the judges are continuing, but there
are still an additional 100 cases still under police investigation, and
these are being processed at only 15 cases per month.
Atiruj Jamrune, a transportation specialist from the
Regional Harbor Master’s office, told Chiangmai Mail that there are
many constructions on public property, both intentionally and
unintentionally. “I don’t have any background information on these
constructions along the Mae Ping River so the best I can do right now is to
take photographic records to prove that they are invading public property,
so it will take a long time to finish all documentation procedures,” he
said.
Hotels, residences and restaurant owners are asked to
demolish their illegal constructions as well as maintain the environment
along the Mae Ping riverbanks. Hotel and restaurant owners as well as homes
in Pha Harm, Phatan and Wat Kate community are being asked to demolish their
invasive properties and maintain a clean environment on both sides of Mae
Ping River.
Sithipan Artit from Wat Kate community said after talking with the
regional harbor master on September 29, that they understand they are living
here illegally but they have been staying here for generations, so if the
harbor master wants them to move out, he should think about a satisfying
solution for everyone. “If they want us to move out, that is fine with us,
but if they cannot find a new place where we can stay, we will cling to this
place, and we are going to camp here,” he added.
Panda pandering continues
Welcome party for Chuang Chuang and Lhin Huy planned
Phisut Itsaracheewawat
Chiang Mai is ready for the two giant pandas from China,
scheduled to arrive in Thailand on October 12. Their seats have already been
booked on flight TG 619 to arrive at Chiang Mai International Airport. A
full security alert will mean that the pandas will be able to alight from
their first class seats and not worry about their honey pots. Smooth as
silk, will be the way, organizers assured Chiangmai Mail.
 (From
left) Mayor Boonlert Buranupakorn, Peng Ren Dong, consul general of the
people’s republic of China, Governor Suwat Tantipat, Chiang Mai MP
Boonsong Teriyapirom, Thanong Nathiphitak, director of Chiang Mai Zoo and
Ms. Prakaidao Horwatanakul, THAI upper north region sales manager are
heading up organizing the panda welcome party.
The welcome party will be led by Chiang Mai Governor
Suwat Tantipat and Chiang Mai Mayor Boonlert Buranupakorn, and this will be
followed by a parade to celebrate the arrival of the young couple.
Chuang Chuang is a three-year-old male who enjoys lying
around his bachelor pad, climbing trees and being fed. His hobbies include
stripping bamboo shoots and eating them.
Lhin Huy is a two-year-old female from the posh section
of the zoo. She enjoys singing and has always dreamed of becoming an
international star. Her hobbies include eating, sleeping, and eating.
The happy young couple met through an introduction
service and both were reported to be very happy on their first blind date.
Both are looking forward to settling into their new home in the Chiang Mai
Zoo precinct, the flight to Thailand being the first overseas trip for the
young couple.
In case you have missed the importance of a couple of
giant bears arriving, a full publicity campaign has been organized. “We
are preparing to set up billboards at the four corners of the city moat to
inform people about the coming of the pandas and invite them to join the
party. Many activities, such as a naming contest and/or a panda theme on the
weekly Sunday Walking Street will be held before the arrival of the duo,”
said the Chiang Mai governor.
Governor Suwat believes that having pandas in Chiang Mai
not only emphasizes the strong relationship between Thailand and China, but
it will also boost Chiang Mai tourism, since pandas are a nearly extinct
animal species and they are rarely seen outside China. Especially not flying
first class!
Peng Ren Dong, the new consul general of the People’s
Republic of China said at the weekly Chiang Mai conference, that this young
panda couple will be the last pair that the Chinese government will send to
a foreign country, and he believes that Chiang Mai will do its best to
provide these two sweet bears with a wonderful new home in the beautiful
environment at Chiang Mai Zoo.
Unfortunately, the people of Chiang Mai will probably not
catch a glimpse of the amazing pandas during the ticker-tape parade through
the city, since they need at least a month of adjusting themselves to the
new atmosphere and environment, and getting their new address registered
with the immigration authorities.
Thanong Nathiphitak, director of Chiang Mai Zoo, said
that the pandas will be ready for visits from the public around November 22
and there will be a little extra charge for entry, above the normal entrance
fee of 20 baht for adults and 5 baht for children. This should not be
considered double panda pricing, say officials.
China investing in Chiang Rai special economic zone
Medicinal drugs and herbs top the list
China will spend more than 400 million yuan (about 1,600
million baht) in northern Thailand for investment projects. 16 private
companies from Yunnan province in South China are busy with preparation in
trade and investment projects in the special Economic Zone in the North of
Thailand.
According to Chiang Rai Deputy Governor Sukitja
Karunanont, the main investment projects deal with Chinese drug and herb
companies from Yunnan.
He said that Thai and Chinese government policies have
allowed foreign investors with a stake of about 200,000 yuan, or a million
baht, to operate in Thailand. They will automatically receive permanent
residency and this is attracting many investors.
To establish industrial manufacturing in the special
Economic Zone is another initial plan that still needs two more years for
preparation; however, Chiang Rai province confirmed that the government
offices here are already planning to help facilitate and bring Chinese
investors to the north of Thailand.
The deputy governor of the Industrial Estate of Thailand
suggested that there are more than 20 special economic and industrial zones
nationwide, but the Chinese are most attracted to the northern zone.
“Chiang Rai has been waiting for this kind of opportunity for more than 10
years,” said Sukitja.
Chiang Mai Tourist Business Association looks at “Unseen in Thailand”
Took 4-wheel-drive convoy to see the unseen
Pichitpon Tongtuek
The Chiang Mai Tourist Business Association recently set
up their third “Unseen in Thailand” familiarization trip covering Chiang
Mai - Mae Chaem - Mae Hong Song - Pai - Chiang Mai.
 Boonlert
Perera, president of Chiang Mai Tourist Business Association presented a
warm welcome speech to the participants during lunch at a restaurant in Mae
Chaem.
Fifty-one people from city and country tour agencies
around Chiang Mai joined this trip. These included Sky Bird Holiday, The
Travel Team, Udomporn Tour, Go Chiang Mai Tour, Maeping Riverside Tour,
Empress Hotel, Royal Chiang Mai Golf Club and Sea World.
Using 4 wheel drive vehicles they went by convoy to
discover and explore a new route from Chiang Mai and back to Chiang Mai to
encompass all the interesting places on the route.
Boonlert Perera, president of the Chiang Mai Tourist
Business Association held a warm welcome speech for the participants during
lunch at Mae Cham and told them that it is the obligation and duty of
everybody in tourist related businesses to always supply the best standards,
know the newest routes and be ambassadors for northern people.
Spin doctors meeting puts CEO
system high on the agenda
Stresses the 6 strategies of public relations
Jintana Phanthufak, the director of Public Relations
Department, Region 3 Chiang Mai Office, chaired a meeting at City Hall to
explore the different ways individual PR staff will work for the CEO
systems, especially the CEO governor’s role. Increased mobility for Chiang
Mai province’s CEO was also discussed.
About 41 working committees attended this meeting, and
focused on the topic of spreading administration work away from the central
government towards provincial governors in the CEO system, with the concept
of providing solutions for the local population at the local level.
The meeting stressed the 6 strategies of public
relations: build and develop networks, connect to international networks,
plan public relations work, plan specific public relations in emergency
cases (damage control), set up committees to collect information and answer
people’s questions.
Phone wars continue
TT&T show the B. 2 per minute scheme
TT&T has launched their own discount telephone service
charges at 2 baht per minute nationwide, as distinct from the similar
services previously introduced by the Telephone Organization of Thailand.
This is being done through the strong network of TT&T with T-tel 1234
customers having this special promotion for a trial period of three months.
Prakit Wangphat, TT&T Upper Northern Region Director,
said that TT&T would offer the new calling rate with a maximum price of
2 baht per minute nationwide instead of the former rate of half a baht up to
8 baht per minute. “We expect this will attract people to use their home
phones to make long distance calls more often because of the advantage of
the clarity of signal,” he added.
To use the promotion, dial 1234 followed by area code and
the telephone number. This trial campaign will run from now until November
this year. For more formation, contact TT&T services or dial 1103.
Exports from the north need developing
DEP says exporters much reach international standards
Further development of Thai exports is needed to bring
them up to international standards, according to Jiraporn Tulayanon, the
Chiang Mai director of the Department of Export Promotion (DEP), Northern
Center.
Her remarks came after an exhibition of northern products
at the Thailand Health & Beauty Exhibition 2003, which the DEP organized
at Impact Arena, Muangthong Thani, in Bangkok.
20 booths were set up at the exhibition for products from
the North. These included products such as health foods, beauty products,
and packaging. Most of the Northern products focused on natural products and
this was a popular classification.
She added that after the exhibition, “We found that the
producers have been developing products to reach the needs of the market,
and the development of the packaging will increase the prices of the
products in terms of value-added goods.”
Chiang Rai province to host Mekong River Basin youth friendship
Student applicants must be fluent in English
Preparations are underway for the Youth Friendship Program
2003, with Chiang Rai Governor Narin Panitchakitch saying that the Office
for the Protection of Children, the Elderly, Disabled and the Disadvantaged,
Ministry of Social Development and Human Securities will hold the event
November 3-11.
The program is being organized to promote friendship,
understanding, and mutual cooperation among the youth of the Greater Mekong
Sub Region. The activities to be arranged from November 7-9 include a trip
starting in China and then passing through Burma, Laos and Thailand with a
short visit to Chiang Saen district of Chiang Rai province.
Successful candidates would be fluent in spoken English
and join with 10 other representatives from all six countries, Cambodia,
China, Burma, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand.
For more information, contact the Office in Chiang Rai on
Fangmin Rd, Nong Bua Daeng, Tambon Rimkok, Muang Chiang Rai (weekdays)
before the application deadline on November 3, 2003.
Take the phone touring says AIS and TAT
Supporting the Unseen Thailand tourism campaign
Rathakarn Chumpamant, marketing and sales manager for
Advanced Info Service’s (AIS) regional operations northern office said
that AIS and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) are running an
electronic photo image competition, proposing the public who use mobile
phones to submit their pictures of tourist spots taken by their mobile
phones in the country and then using the company MMS service to send the
photo in from their mobile phones.
Called the Unseen Thailand MMS Photo Contest, the prize
pool is more than half a million baht in cash and mobile phones. Suwit
Arayawilaiphong, director of the AIS Optional Services Department, advised
that the contest is divided into four categories representing the four
regions of the country - the North, Central, East and the South. Entries
will be accepted until October 31 this year, he said.
Krisanan Ngarmphatipong, AIS Marketing Department deputy
director, said that this photo contest is aimed at promoting the use of
technology in sending pictures of tourist spots via mobile phones through
the MMS system, as well as encouraging domestic travel to explore the
natural beauty of Thailand.
The winner from each region will receive 50,000 baht
cash, including a Nokia 6600 mobile phone worth 19,000 baht, while the
second prize will be 30,000 baht in cash, including the Nokia 3100 mobile
phone worth 8,500 baht.
All photos submitted for the contest from now to October
31 this year will be posted on the AIS web site at www.mobilelife.co.th or
by mobile phone wap site at wap.mobileLIFE.co.th
The winners will be announced on November 14. For more
information, contact the AIS Public Relations Office, telephone 02 -
299-5814.
Agriculture Economic Center proposed for Chiang Mai
400 rai earmarked for the project
Realizing the importance of agriculture to the economy of
the northern region, Chiang Mai Governor Suwat Tantipat announced that
provincial authorities are undertaking an economic center project to serve
as the central agricultural produce market in Chiang Mai.
The Provincial Authorities will use 400 rai of land in
constructing the buildings for the center, which will be designed to become
a link between local and international markets. This area of land is located
behind Chiang Mai City Hall. The land previously belonged to the military
but now can be appropriated for public use.
“This center will help Chiang Mai become the center for
cash crops, being of economic importance in the northern region. In the
center, there will be a market displaying agricultural products, with a
central meeting hall, international exhibition booths and an SME center
(Small and Medium Enterprises),” said the Chiang Mai governor.
The SME center, he said, will support and develop the
ability of entrepreneurs in the One Tambon One Product (OTOP) projects to
help them export their products overseas.
More discussions on public health
at the Thai-Burma border
Thailand and Burma each present their perspectives
The 3rd Thailand and Burma joint
conference on public health and cooperation was important enough for the
Minister of Public Health, Sudarat Kerayuphan, to fly up from Bangkok to
preside over the opening ceremony.
The two day meeting and exhibition was jointly organized
by the To Be Number One Club, and the Medical Faculty of the Rajabhat
Institute of Chiang Rai, and Chiang Rai Provincial Public Health Office.
Assist Prof Surapol Wiangnont, from the Rajabhat
Institute of Chiang Rai, said the meeting was held to exchange information
on continuing problems for the Thai-Burma border areas, with disease
epidemics, like AIDS, TB, elephantiasis, and drug addiction, being on the
agenda.
The Tambon Nanglae Administration Organization, in Muang
District of Chiang Rai province, also arranged activities concerned with
public health, including training courses for more than 120 volunteers,
joined by the Thai lowlanders, and hilltribe minority groups.
During the conference, both Thai and Burmese Public
Health Ministries arranged exhibitions on the public health situation in the
Thai-Burmese border areas, from their different perspectives. The Public
Health Ministry of Burma presented its exhibition in Burma first on
September 27 and then the Thai ministry presented its counterpart in
Thailand on September 28 at the Chiang Rai Sinthanee Complex building.
Mai Sai-Tachilek border checkpoint
to keep longer hours?
Will be good for trade says MP
Chiang Rai MPs are pushing the authorities to keep the Mae
Sai border checkpoint open until 8 p.m. to boost trade and tourism. This is
the gateway between the Mae Sai district and the Tachilek province of Burma.
According to Ithidej Kaewluang, a Chiang Rai Member of
Parliament for Zone 7, many groups are reviewing and looking at the
operating hours at the border checkpoint. At present, it is open from 6 a.m.
- 6 p.m.
During the past few months, during the drug offensive,
the negative news from the border resulted in declining trade, tourism and
visitors to the area, resulting in depressed economy in the region. However,
at present, the Thai-Burma relationship is going smoothly, and later this
year with the normal increase in tourism, it is expected that the economy
will pick up. This would be aided by longer operating hours at the border,
say the MP’s.
The PM’s meet the people program gets Chiang Mai response
People provide their opinions about happenings in Chiang Mai
After listening to “the minister meets the people” on
Saturday, September 27, the people in Chiang Mai province presented their
opinion through “the people’s voice” radio program.
The most popular topic was the problem of teenage gangs
at night; this provokes fear in the city dwellers, and has the potential to
reduce the numbers of tourists in Chiang Mai, too.
This problem is being linked to shops that sell alcohol
to teenagers, because these places are sources of temptation for young
people. Video game outlets are also being singled out, as they are making
students skip their classes to play the games and most of games are about
violence and fighting.
Another topic concerned increasing agriculture products
trade between Thailand and China. Some people agree but others do not,
because they are afraid that it would affect agriculture production in
Thailand because China could produce agricultural products more cheaply.
The people also praised the prime minister in that it
seems that he really does want to clean up corruption. Other topics included
the education system, the traffic system, the electricity problems and
support for OTOP products.
Chiang Mai to lead the way
in becoming even ‘greener’
Community parks get central government backing
Chiang Mai could become a pilot area for a government
sponsored “green project”, if organizers can receive support from the
local community.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is
looking for ways to increase environmental awareness, and is seeking public
opinion to create guidelines to go by to increase the number of green areas
in the country.
The ministry recently conducted a survey to gather public
opinion about how to increase the number of green areas in Thailand, as well
as how to make these green areas more sustainable.
This was the main theme of a recent Ministry of Natural
Resources and Environment seminar at the Empress Hotel in Chiang Mai.
Although no solutions were announced, Manit Siriwan, deputy secretary
general of the Office of Policy and Planning for Natural Resources and
Environment, said that Chiang Mai could become the “pilot area” for this
type of project, if organizers focus on inspiring local people in the
community to participate.
He said the government would support the project, as well
as support city development by increasing the number of parks and rest areas
for the local population.
The results of this seminar will be presented to the
prime minister in the near future with the hopes of developing the “green
area” concept for the entire country.
Toxic orange problems to be solved
Farmers to be stopped spraying together
The three major ministries of Public Health, Natural
Resources and Environment, and Agriculture and Cooperatives were ready to
help solve the problems caused by the spraying of chemical substances in
orange orchards in Fang, Mae Ai, and Chai Prakan districts.
Prapat Panyachatrak, minister of Natural Resources and
Environment, recently visited the problem areas in the districts to study
the use of toxic chemicals in orange orchards. Upon his return, he said that
the chemicals are dangerous to the public’s health and contaminate the
water table in the area.
Without being specific, Prapat revealed that some plans
are being mapped out to solve this critical issue. Following the conclusions
of the three ministries concerned, Public Health has taken responsibility
for the people’s health problems.
Agriculture and Cooperatives will carry out studies into
appropriate agriculture methods and ways to control insects and pests, while
the use of land, management of water sources, and invasion of the public
land would be controlled by the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment.
Illegal loggers found in Doi Luang National Park in Phayao
Poachers fled, but logs left as evidence
The 32nd Border Patrol Police (BPP) in Phayao province
has found evidence of illegal logging in the park at Tambon Mae Na Rue,
Muang district, Phayao province. Police confiscated 15 lots of krayaloei
trees in the haul, after the police had received a tip-off that loggers were
in the area, but the poachers disappeared.
The BPP team, led by Pol Col Amnuay Puaksanit, the
superintendent of the 32nd BPP Unit, together with the Park’s forestry
officers, checked the timber that the police had seized in the area of Doi
Luang National Park, north of Mae Na Rue dam.
The police said there were 15 logs of krayaloei trees 3-6
meters in length and 100-150 centimeters in diameter that had already been
cut. Police surmised that these would be sold for building scaffolding.
Police and forestry officers at Doi Luang National Park
used elephants to haul the logs out of the forest, which will be kept at
Muang Phayao district police station for future proceedings. Police admit
they know of the illegal logging, but it is very difficult to apprehend the
miscreants as the terrain is so difficult for them to effect a raid.
Phayao provincial police ranked in top 12
Drug suppression performance rated as 100%
Phayao provincial police commander and his colleagues were
lauded with an outstanding drug suppression award by National Police Bureau.
Police Maj. Gen. Rakchart Rajchakij, Phayao Provincial Police Commander,
said that during the five months of the War on Drug campaign from February
25 to June 30 this year, Phayao police had 100% success in the drug
suppression.
“Being ranked in a National Police Bureau Top 12 by the
National Police Bureau cannot be achieved without good cooperation and many
hard working police,” he said.
Although he was pleased with being in the top 12, Phayao
provincial police division cannot be careless about drug problem situations,
he added. “We have been keeping on watching the border area, especially at
Phu-sa sub-district, Chiang Kham district and the other 13 communities
located around Phayao municipal areas,” the Phayao Provincial Police
Commander stated.
If anyone has any information concerning drugs or people
considered to be dark influences, don’t hesitate to send information to
P.O. Box 123, Phayao or call 191, he added.
Entertainment outlets to be watched
(Wet) blanket rules to be applied
Phisut Itsaracheewawat
Chiang Mai Muang district officials and police are taking
actions to manage the mushrooming city entertainment outlets that are
currently making headaches for the Interior Ministry.
District Chief Officer Chumporn Saengmanee gathered 200
entertainment complex owners, restaurant owners, operators and staff, to
tell them they must conform to the social order plan or they would be shut
down.
The meeting mainly discussed the problems concerning the
2 a.m. closure, underage patrons, youth gangs and drug problem at
nightspots.
Chumporn said that he understood that Chiang Mai is a
popular tourist destination, so there might have been some leniency in the
past, but no more from now on. “Those who break the rules and regulations
will be prosecuted, facing punishment and closure of the business,” he
said.
He added that he would also begin taking action on
roadside stalls liquor, major congregating spots for students and youths,
which are often sites of teenage violence.
The meeting outcome appeared to be positive, gaining
promised cooperation from all business owners. “However, to make a society
better cannot be done by one side alone, mass cooperation is an important
key to solve our society problems,” he remarked.
Pol Lt Col Viroj Kesaporn, the public relations officer
of the Chiang Mai Provincial Police Division told reporters at the weekly
press conference at Chiang Mai City Hall that the closing time breaches,
youths aged under 18 years old and drugs are still the main problems
threatening Chiang Mai, and correction cannot be done by police alone, but
the Chiang Mai people themselves must become involved as well.
Revoked citizenship for Mai Ai
people still a vexed issue
Only 11 out of 1,243 reinstated
Mae Ai district officials claim to be speeding up
procedures to solve the problem of stateless people living on the highland
communities. This comes under the supervision of the Ministry of the
Interior.
Uthai Sorncheen, assistant district chief for
registration for the Mae Ai district, said that government policy is that
the officials will have to consider and review the status of those aliens
who entered to the country legally, those who were born outside Thailand,
and those who were born in the Thai kingdom, to ascertain if they should be
granted Thai citizenship.
In Mae Ai, there are nine minority groups who are issued
cards to show their national origins. These include those who hold blue
cards, including the former KMT soldiers or Chinese Haw immigrants, and Thai
Lue who hold an orange card; and Burmese immigrants hold the pink card.
Independent Chinese Haw and Burmese immigrants with Thai nationality are
also in large numbers, he said.
Following a public announcement last year, the names of
many of those people were taken off the housing document census; however,
these people could submit requests to prove their new nationality. So far,
only about 11 people out of 1,243 have been reinstated as having Thai
nationality, while the rest are being investigated to ensure they are not
involved in the drug trade or are threats to the national security.
There were grounds to believe that at least 200 villagers
who lost their citizenship along with 1,000 others when the Mae Ai district
office took their names off the citizenship register in February last year,
were really Thai. Their nationality was later verified by the Office of the
Human Rights Commission and Law Society of Thailand.
The verification was made on the history of each family
and verbal accounts given by village seniors. Revoking their citizenship had
badly affected the villagers and there should be no delay in reinstating
them. Many people who lost their nationality had been fired from their jobs
and could not apply for work because of apparent lack of citizenship.
Guyana Black Money Gang strikes again
The infamous Guyana Black Money gang was apprehended and
charged with defrauding tourists in Chiang Mai.
Following complaints from the victims, the tourist
police, led by Pol Maj Archayon Krithong, tourist police inspector
apprehended Ammet Mohammed, a native of Guyana, along with a Luis Mathana,
who was found to be already on the run, having escaped from previous arrest.
The two had swindled and cheated tourists in Chiang Mai,
claiming that they could double the tourists’ investments, but the suckers
would have to invest more than 5,000 US dollars to receive $10,000 dollars
in return.
The scam is an old one, in which the victims are told the
con men were in possession of a special chemical that removes ink from
banknotes, leaving them clean and new. They say that banks send the notes as
‘black money’ so they cannot be used, but the con men’s special
chemicals (and very expensive too) will remove the black ink. This they
prove by washing a black piece of paper, which turns into a banknote.
Police said at least four people, both foreign tourists
and Thais, were victims. After being apprehended the two gang members were
charged and jailed. They are currently trying to see if their magic chemical
dissolves iron bars.
AIDS incidence falling in Lamphun
Public Health officials stated that the number of AIDS
cases seem to be going down in Lamphun province. From 1988 to August 31,
2003, 7,143 cases were reported in this northern province and of that
number, 1,956 patients have died from the viral disease.
The age group most affected was in the 25-39 year bracket
and the virus was contacted mostly through sexual intercourse. The number of
children whose parents had died of AIDS was still significantly high, at
1,407 cases. Orphans of the AIDS phenomenon showed that there were 127 cases
infected with the disease.
Disease monitoring showed that the incidence in pregnant
women had also fallen, as well as the incidence with young Thai males under
21 years of age.
While it was reported that the numbers affected by the
disease seems to be reduced, there are still problem pocket areas in Lamphun
and amongst some youth groups.
Government officials added that the prevention campaign
promoting using condoms has been one of the factors involved in lowering the
numbers. “The campaign to use condoms should be continued for even more
effectiveness,” they added.
Eight teenage hoodlums arrested after knife orgy in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai police arrested eight teenagers for carrying
Sa Mu Rai (long blade knives) into a birthday party for a friend, and once
there, starting a fight. One report said that the police only noted their
names, took their photos and let them go.
Pol. Lt. Tewet Rakpracha from Chiang Rai police station
was informed that the teenagers were fighting with long bladed knives. When
his team arrived, there were 15-20 teenagers on motorcycles, waving the long
bladed knives. When they saw the police, they separated and the police could
only apprehend eight of them.
All of the detainees, who were only between 17-19 years
of age, said that they went to their friend’s birthday party, but a fracas
broke out so they returned to their dormitory to bring the knives to defend
themselves. The police did not believe them, maybe because they were all
drunk (the kids, not the police).
A reputable source said that in Chiang Rai during the
past 2 months, groups of teenagers have been fighting gang wars, with
innocent bystanders being hurt as well. The usual weapons were sharpened
steel knives.
However, the police said that now there are many police
patrols to take care of this problem, with surveillance in every street in
the city. Residents are asked to contact police if they see teenage gangs,
by telephoning 191 or 053 744265, 24 hours a day.
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