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Saraburi editor arrested
in biggest drug bust this year
Nopniwat Krailerg
The editor of the “Pa Loke” newspaper of Saraburi
province, Wichen Puapun, 49, and Sawat Sornsawan, 50, a resident of Chiang
Mai’s San Pathong have been arrested in possession of 480,000 ya ba
tablets.
The tablets were found in Wichen’s car while they were
driving along the Chiang Mai-Lampang Superhighway to Bangkok in Hang Chat
district, Lampang on November 6. The two men were sent to the Provincial
Police Bureau Region 5 for questioning.
Police learned there were another six dealers involved
when the two confessed they bought the drugs at Ban Pang Mai Daeng, in
tambon Keud Chang, Mae Taeng district, Chiang Mai.
The next day, the police looked for the other six at
tambon Toong Khao Puang, Chiang Dao district and arrested Arle Sinchawang,
23, a resident of Pai district, Mae Hong Son. The other five managed to
escape, but police did find 210,000 tablets inside a bucket buried in the
forest.
Arle said he and the other five who escaped had been
armed with two M-16s, an AK-47 and shotguns to defend themselves against the
police while transferring the drugs.
The three arrested men were taken to the Narcotics Suppression Bureau for
further criminal proceedings. This capture of 690,000 ya ba tablets is the
biggest drug bust in the North this year.
Call for new strategies to fight drug trafficking
Saksit
Meesubkwang
The Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has called on
all anti-drug networks to meet to devise new suppression strategies. Pittaya
Jinawat, director of the ONCB, made the call in preparation for the “Second
War on Drugs” on November 3 at the Tarin Hotel in Chiang Mai.
He addressed 100 participants from the Provincial Police
Bureau Region 5, Office of Primary School Education, student representatives
from both government and private universities, and non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) working with youths in slum communities and hill tribes.
Pittaya said that the NGOs had volunteered to work with the
ONCB in trying to prevent the proliferation of drugs in slums and hill tribe
communities. “Economic problems are behind hill tribes getting involved in the
drug cycle,” said Pittaya. Having worked with hill tribes for over 10 years,
he said that discouragement from non-productive farming and loss of investment
were major causes for their involvement in trafficking.
Pittaya said the government should make more money available
to improve the standard of living of hill tribes to keep them from being
involved in the drug trade.
He said that the “First War on Drugs” had helped reduce
the amount of drugs in hill tribe villages. The campaign had also led to many
properties being confiscated from drug dealers.
Monks and academics condemn use of Buddhist decor in hotels
Inappropriate Buddha images in hotels can cause offence
Nopniwat
Krailerg
Monks and some academics have condemned the use of Buddhist
decor in many hotels in Chiang Mai. They have petitioned Chiang Mai Governor
Suwat Tantipat and the National Buddhism Office to express their objections.
Some of the architecture and decor used in hotels might cause misunderstanding
in tourists, according to the petition.
The action was sparked by the seminar on “Moral Precepts in
Building Chiang Mai City” that was organized by Chiang Mai University’s
Social Research Institute and Art and Culture Office of Rajabhat Chiang Mai
University on October 30 at the Maha Chulalongkorn University at Wat Suan Dok.
Monks watch
video recordings showing temple-like decor claimed as being misused in many
hotels in Chiang Mai.
According to the seminar, the opposition was raised to the
use of Wihara pillars to decorate lobbies and use of Buddha image and tiered
umbrellas as decorations. Seminar participants also criticized hotels whose
decor simulated temples. Nagas and Singhas, which are also symbols of Buddhism,
are often used in places of accommodation and restaurants and are deemed
inappropriate and offensive by many followers of Buddhism.
Gerk Akkrachinores from Maha Chulalongkorn University said
that all decorations of Buddhism art and architecture might be eye-catching for
outsiders and tourists, but it was improper for Lanna people to use them.
Sarin Hinkong, a lecturer at the Maha Chulalongkorn
University, proposed further discussion on the improper uses of Buddhist
architecture and decoration at the monthly meeting of Chiang Mai monks held at
Wat Pra Singh on November 2. Over 150 senior monks took part and voiced strong
criticism.
Chamlong Kittisri, director of the National Buddhism Office,
said that he was informed about the conflict but had not yet inspected the
hotels. Chamlong admitted that the hotel industry made a significant
contribution towards solving unemployment, but the use of Buddhist architecture
and arts at these hotels needed to be inspected by specialist officials. He sent
a petition to Governor Suwat and the National Buddhism Office for further
inspection and discussion.
“Deciding whether Chiang Mai hotels have acted incorrectly
will take time,” said Chamlong.
The Act of Ancient Ruins (1992) covers only prohibition of reproduction of
ancient objects but not ancient places, so the Act could not be enforced on the
hotels, said Sahawat Naennar, director of the 8th Fine Arts Office, Chiang Mai.
Reproduction of Buddhist decoration on any buildings therefore had to be
considered on a matter of appropriateness only, said Sahawat.
The MICE Market
Chasing meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions
Reinhard Hohler
Did you know that the average meeting has 23
participants, the average congress has 122 participants, and the average
incentive has 58 participants?
Did you know that innovative hotels are organizing an
average of 24 events per year and event marketing is the newest trend in
hospitality and tourism?
Now general managers, sales directors and F&B
directors can learn the basics of marketing, organizing and delivering MICE
and Event “happenings” during a two day seminar of implementing
“Chasing MICE and Events” presented by Bert van Walbeek in Chiang Mai on
November 22-23, 2004.
In 10 separate modules, that involve interactive
communication, case studies, role playing and many handouts, this training
program will be executed in a combination of theoretical information and
realistic, market orientated feedback.
General managers, who are looking for new marketing
opportunities, sales directors and managers, who want to increase yields
through niche MICE marketing, F&B directors and managers, who want to
promote their services through Event Marketing can join this interesting
seminar.
Investment fee is 5,555 baht p.p. (excluding 7 percent
Vat) for full 2 day conference registration. Fee includes lunch (x2),
coffee/tea breaks (x4) and complete documentation/work book.
Conference Venue is Rydges Amora Tapae Chiang Mai Hotel,
both days from 9.00 a.m. - 5 p.m. For further information, contact Bert van
Walbeek by e-mail bert@twe-winningedge.comhttp://www.chiangmai-mail.com/
Thai Truck Center tackles
waste of fuel and money
Autsadaporn
Kamthai
Did you know that about 33 million trips are made around
Thailand by empty trucks every year? That is equivalent to almost half of
all the truck transport in the country, according to the director general
of the Land Transport Department.
 Piyapan
Champasut, director general of Land Transport Department.
In light of the high cost of the 1.5 billion liters of
fuel (about 22 billion baht) used by empty trucks on our roads, a “Thai
Truck Center” has now been established to reduce the waste of government
money and fuel, the director general, Piyapan Champasut, has announced.
The department arranged a seminar on “Reduction of
Fuel Waste from Empty Trucks” at the Empress Hotel, Chiang Mai on
November 9 to introduce the center and new measure to Chiang Mai people.
“It aims to reduce the occurrence of empty trucks by
40 percent within five years with the support of the Energy Policy and
Planning Office in the Ministry of Energy, which has allocated 9.8 million
baht to the department,” Piyapan said.
The coordination center of the project includes the
website www.thaitruckcenter.com and Bangkok-based call center 0-2272-5222.
“The center will benefit both customers and transport
companies because previously there were no centers to communicate and
exchange details of their needs,” said the director general.
The seminar was also held in other major centers to assist in co-ordinating
loads for return trips for the trucking companies.
PAO splashes out 216 million baht from special fund
Political interference intimated
Nopniwat
Krailerg
A proposal to spend over 216 million baht of the Chiang
Mai Provincial Administration Organization (PAO) special savings fund to
relieve flood-damaged areas in Mae Ai and Omkoi districts of Chiang Mai has
been given the green light.
 Thawatwong
Na Chiangmai, the president of Chiang Mai Provincial Organization
Administration (PAO), presides over its extraordinary assembly.
Thawatwong Na Chiangmai, president of the PAO, proposed
the capital expenditure, and 28 of the 41 members voted for the measure. The
PAO special fund now stands at 127 million baht.
The money will be spent to repair damaged bridges and
roads, especially in Omkoi that has been made a pilot district for the
government’s poverty eradication campaign.
Apart from helping rural areas, part of the funds will be
used to promote tourist attraction sites in Chiang Mai. Some of the money
will also be used boost PAO infrastructure, since it has been appointed to
administer and supervise more organizations, which requires more personnel,
equipment and hardware.
PAO members who voted against the budget allocation,
however, claimed lack of transparency. Narong Chunkaew, member for Mae Taeng
district, Zone 2, said the way 17 million baht was allocated to Phrao
district, 15 million baht to San Sai district and five million baht to Muang
district was “not transparent”.
Areas which received bigger budgets are said to be in a constituency where
the Democrat Party has run an intense campaign and the candidate for this
constituency zone is reported to be a relative of the PAO president.
Good news to warm
not just the heart
Saksit
Meesubkwang
The Chiang Mai provincial authorities are preparing the help
those facing the coming chilly weather. And if you can help, please do.
Wassana Wapinanond, chief of the Chiang Mai Provincial
Disaster Prevention Office, said the authorities are on the alert to especially
help villagers in the Upper North.
“From now until February next year, officials are prepared
to offer relief from the cold,” she said.
About 22 districts and two sub-districts in the province have
been identified to be provided with blankets and warm clothing. It is predicted
that people in Omkoi and Mae Chaem districts will be hardest hit by cold spells.
Wassana added that the Public Disaster Prevention and Relief
Department this year has allocated a 1.7 million baht to Chiang Mai province to
buy 11,000 blankets.
Officials are currently buying the blankets to hand out this
month to villagers needing them.
The public and private sectors as well as department store
are being asked to donate further blankets and warm clothes. “The appeal comes
with the cooperation of the Thai Red Cross Society, the Third Army Region and
ITV, which would like to donate the items,” she said.
Items may be dropped off at the Chiang Mai Provincial
Disaster Prevention Office during office hours.
Lanna OTOP products come out tops
Nopniwat
Krailerg
Almost 50 percent of Lanna One Tambon One Product (OTOP)
products have been given a five-star rating.
This year’s OTOP selection was made between November 4-8 at
the Chiang Mai Phucome Hotel, one of 17 venues countrywide designated by the
OTOP selection committee.
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Payap,
Phrae and Nan were grouped together.
Dr Pornchai Luengarpapong, chairman of the OTOP selection
committee, said that 4,404 products in six categories were entered in this
year’s selection.
1,969 items of all approved products scored more than 70
points, including 309 food products, 99 beverages, 459 clothes, 849 decorations,
218 arts and souvenirs and 35 herbs.
Dr Pornchai said that, in the Lanna cluster, Chiang Mai had the largest
number of OTOPs and the committee will help in promoting all products that have
earned five stars. All chosen OTOPs will be sent to the summit OTOP selection
that will be held in Bangkok.
Democrat Party campaigns in Chiang Mai for 2005 elections
Points to rising debt levels throughout the country
Saksit Meesubkwang
Campaigning for next year’s elections has started, with
the Democrat Party holding a rally at Chiang Mai University’s Art Museum
on November 4.
 Democrat
Party leader Banyat Bantadtan (right) shakes hands with Thawatwong Na
Chiangmai (second left), president of the Chiang Mai Provincial
Administration Organization (PAO).
Democrat Party members, including party leader Banyat
Bantadtan, deputy leaders Apisith Wetchachiwa and Kanyanee Sophonpanich,
party secretary Pradith Rattanaprasith, and party administrator Dr Surin
Pitsuwan, took part, with over 10,000 Chiang Mai residents attending the
rally.
The five policies of the Democrat Party were announced -
scholarships for students, employment opportunities after graduation,
eradicating both legal and illegal debts, a special allowance for over 60s
and free medical treatment.
Candidates for Chiang Mai constituency zones were
introduced including Dr Duentemduang Na Chiangmai (Zone 1), Jakkawarn
Wannawong (Zone 2), U-dom Worawal (Zone 3), Kingkarn Na Chaingmai (Zone 4),
Pongprayoon Rach-a-pai (Zone 5), Silpachai Kumchoo (Zone 6), Saneh Surin
(Zone 7), Supachai Nimmanhemin (Zone 8), and Prasith Wuttinamchai (Zone 10).
Deputy leader Apisit Wetchachiwa compared the Chuan and
Thaksin administrations to show that the former had not caused as much debt
among Thai people as Thaksin’s policies.
Before the Thaksin government, the average value of debt
of Thai people was only 65,000 baht per capita. After three years of the
Thaksin administration and his economic policy, however, that figure had
risen to 110,000 baht, according to Apisit. More government loans taken out
by the people had increased their debts.
Apisith also pointed out that economic growth has
benefited only a few companies that operate mobile phone and vehicle
businesses, not people at grassroots levels. He claimed that trade
agreements that Thaksin has signed with China and other trading partners on
behalf of the country only benefit satellite and mobile phone companies.
“Thai Rak Thai is a real mafia party that uses state
authority to force politicians to join it,” criticized Apisith. “This
goes against its policy of eradicating all influential or mafia persons from
the country.”
Apisith denounced PM Thaksin’s personal aircraft that
cost 2 billion baht, which was bought with Thai people’s taxes. “The
money could have been shared with local people and helped develop many rural
areas instead of being wasted,” said Apisith.
Other Democrat Party regional campaigns were staged in Lamphun, Lampang,
Chiang Rai, Phrae and Nan.
Concentrated crackdown on youth sex traffickers
Saksit
Meesubkwang
The World Vision Foundation of Thailand and other
non-governmental organizations as well as government agencies are working
together to assist youths under 18 experiencing sexual abuse in Chiang Mai.
 Jaruwan
Siri, coordinator of the World Vision Foundation of Thailand, announces the
launch of the Child Sex Tourism Prevention Project.
“World Vision has coordinated efforts with another 10 NGOs
to establish the ‘Child Sex Tourism Prevention Project’ to assist and rescue
youths under 18 from sex trafficking,” said the coordinator, Jaruwan Siri, at
a press conference in Chiang Mai on November 2. “Initially, it is being run in
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chonburi and Phuket and will expand to other cities to
combat the problem of child sex trade,” Jaruwan said.
The Social Development and Human Security Ministry, Tourism
and Sport Ministry and the Royal Thai Police are also involved in the project.
The primary aims of the project are to protect children from
being sexually abused by foreign tourists and to establish networks to work on
the issue and strictly enforce the law against pedophiles.
“The number of sexually abused children in Thailand has
gradually increased,” said Jaruwan. Some children have been tricked by offers
of selling garlands, but in fact they were sent out into the sex trade,
especially females, according to Jaruwan.
Chiang Mai Deputy Governor Kwanchai Wongnitikorn said that the project
corresponds with government policy to suppress international sex trafficking. He
asked all organizations to work strictly on the problem to achieve the goals.
“We don’t want any tourists looking for child sex workers in our province
any longer,” said Kwanchai.
Night Safari construction 70 percent complete
Nopniwat Krailerg
Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop and Plodprasob
Surassawadee, advisor to the prime minister and chairman of the Night Safari
Study and Working Committee, visited Chiang Mai’s Night Safari construction
site on November 7. Located in tambon Mae Hia, Muang district, the construction
is 70 percent complete.
The animal enclosure is set to be finished by next month and
some areas of the Night Safari will be opened to the public on April 13 next
year.
Deputy PM Suwat suggested to the Night Safari committee that
the entrance road was too narrow and an environmental impact study should be
conducted to guarantee there was no negative effect on the local people.
He also suggested the committee submit a proposal to the
cabinet to promote the Night Safari under the supervision of the Organization of
Special Area Development for Sustainable Tourism and propose a 300 million baht
budget for administration and management on animals and another 600 million baht
for construction of an elephant display zone.
Suwat also urged the committee to draw up a summary for
appropriate administration of the Night Safari.
The complete construction is expected to be completed within
next two years. A total of 1.1 billion baht has been spent on the Night Safari
project to promote it as a new form of eco-tourism.
Czech entry into EU good news for Thailand
Autsadaporn
Kamthai
The entry of the Czech Republic into the European Union could
provide great marketing channels for Thai entrepreneurs to other European
markets. So says Petr Kolar, deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Czech
Republic, explaining that exportation is crucial to strengthening
competitiveness of both countries.
He was speaking on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of
Czech-Thai diplomatic relations at a seminar entitled “New Opportunities for
Thai Businessmen in the Czech Republic after the entry into the European
Union”. It was held at the Sheraton Hotel and arranged jointly between the
embassy of the Czech Republic, the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce and Chiang Mai
Tourism Business Association.
“Subsequent to the Czech Republic entering the EU, the
Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade aims to draw more foreign investment to the
country,” said Stanis Lav, the ministry’s representative.
Thailand is the biggest trading partner of the Czech Republic
in Southeast Asia, and annual turnover of Czech-Thai trade is over 14 billion
baht.
Thai exports to the Czech Republic include auto and computer
parts, jewelry, fresh fruit and IT goods. Entry into the EU will benefit other
trade partners as its duty is decreased on goods like silk yarn, switch relays,
jewelry and furniture.
Main imports from the Czech Republic include machinery (metal
cutting and shaping machines), power equipment, defense systems, milk powder and
products, textile and leather machines, transport equipment (electric vehicles),
glass, crystal and beer.
“The Czech Republic has farsightedness in terms of trade,
and Chiang Mai has great potential that will lead to more trade between the two
countries,” said Chiang Mai Mayor Boonlert Buranupakorn.
Poultry runs cleaned to thwart return of bird flu
Autsadaporn
Kamthai
To prevent a recurrence of the bird flu epidemic, Chiang Mai
municipal officers and public health volunteers cleaned and disinfected all
poultry runs within the municipal areas on November 9.
Chiang Mai
Mayor Boonlert Buranupakorn (second right) talks to municipal officers before
they go out to clean poultry runs in Chiang Mai municipal areas.
In all, 1,201 poultry runs in Nakorn Ping, Sri Wichai, Meng
Rai and Kawila zones were cleaned.
“Though there have not been any reports of bird flu within
Chiang Mai municipal areas, the municipality has taken precautionary measures
since September,” Mayor Boonlert Buranupakorn said.
Almost 400 local residents have been trained as public health
volunteers to keep a watch for any sign of the epidemic, observe poultry and
report to the municipality.
“All poultry infected by bird flu would be destroyed in the municipal
incinerators,” the mayor said.
Expect beefed up security during Loy Krathong and New Year festivals
Saksit
Meesubkwang
The Provincial Police Bureau Region 5, led by Pol Lt Gen
Panupong Singhara Na Ayutthaya, has called on commanders of provincial police
divisions in the eight northern provinces to plan to ensure tourist security
during Loy Krathong and the New Year festivals.
Pol Lt Gen
Panupong Singhara Na Ayutthaya (second right), commissioner of the Provincial
Police Bureau Region 5 discusses safety precautions with officers and commanders
from eight northern provinces.
Pol Lt Gen Panupong said on November 4 that all police
commanders must institute 24 hour patrols at important tourist sites during the
festivals. Many visitors would arrive in Chiang Mai for these events and the
police have to also prepare measures to prevent traffic jams.
The Provincial Police Bureau Region 5 would study the
previous year’s operation to learn from mistakes and improve its working
system, said Pol Lt Gen Panupong.
He appealed to everyone to be careful when handling fireworks. Police will
keep a watch on festivities in order to prevent injuries to others.
Economy in the North improved up to September
Saksit
Meesubkwang and Autsadaporn Kamthai
The overall economic situation of the North in the period
between January and September has improved significantly, thanks to investments
by the private sector, especially in construction and exports.
 Warodom
Nuntanawongsa, manager of the Banknote Management Center, Chiang Mai, Bank of
Thailand (BoT).
Warodom Nuntanawongsa, manager of the Banknote Management
Center, Chiang Mai, Bank of Thailand announced this at a press conference on
November 1.
Investments of the private sector for approved projects
increased by 73.4 percent, a record improvement in the last four years. More
investment money has been put into the production of electronic parts,
agricultural products and vehicle parts in the North. However, there was a
slowing down noted due to the escalation of risk caused by an upsurge in the oil
price and decline of investors’ trust in the stability of global economy,”
said Warodom.
Between January and September, exports of electronics parts
and electrical appliances produced by the Northern Industrial Estate in Lamphun
increased by 34 percent. The exports resulted from increasing demand during the
first half of the year when the football European Cup and Olympics took place.
Service industry growth showed satisfactory levels because of
both governmental and non-governmental seminars that were held in the North,
intense competition of low-cost airlines and less anxiety from the SARS
epidemic, declared Warodom. Because of these factors, hotel room occupancy rose
by 45.5 percent, and the volume of tourists arriving at Chiang Mai International
Airport increased by 44.1 percent.
But the rising oil price and uncertainty in adjustment of the excise tax rate
and waiting for a new series of vehicles triggered a 13.9 percent drop in the
amount of vehicle registrations over the same period compared to last year, and
33.8 percent drop in motorcycle plate registrations. However, electricity
consumption of households in the North increased year-on-year by 2.4 percent.
Spotlight falls on gunmen, influential persons and corrupt police
Saksit
Meesubkwang
Gunmen for hire and other influential persons are being
hunted by the police ahead of the forthcoming elections next year, the
commissioner of the Provincial Police Bureau Region 5 has revealed.
 Pol
Lt Gen Panupong Singhara Na Ayutthaya, commissioner of the Provincial Police
Bureau Region 5.
Pol Lt Gen Panupong Singhara Na Ayutthaya said police have
studied the backgrounds and are keeping watch on gunmen and influential persons
in the region.
Police would be able to keep all of them under control to
prevent crime during election season, he said. Some had already been arrested
and incriminating evidence seized.
“A small number of them are still under suspicion and the
police have tried to move them out of the region,” said the commissioner. Some
of them are reported to have moved to Myanmar to escape police observation.
“All gunmen and influential persons will be charged if they
are found guilty of having committed any crimes,” Pol Lt Gen Panupong said.
Regarding corrupt police who assist politicians, Pol Lt Gen
Panupong said these would be removed to posts at the Provincial Police Bureau
Region 5. So far, this has already happened to three allegedly corrupt policemen
after petitions from the public were submitted. A committee will be formed to
investigate the accusations.
“Regional Election Centers and Provincial Election Centers in eight
northern provinces have been opened by the Provincial Police Bureau Region 5 to
receive petitions from the general public alleging police corruption,” the
commissioner added.
Chiang Man community
‘a model for others’
Autsadaporn
Kamthai
The Chiang Man community has been designated a pilot village
for the government’s new SML fund scheme.
It was the first community in the Chiang Mai municipal area
to gain government approval to receive SML funds of 250,000 baht to spend on
developing the community, according to Prakorn Buranuprakorn, chairman of the
Thai Rak Thai advisors in Chiang Mai.
“The community has great potential and good administration
systems,” Prakorn said. The SML funds will be used to increase the potential
of the community and for the construction of a community center.
Chiang Man is a medium sized community in tambon Sri Phoom.
Temple, households and schools are crucial factors for its administration. The
community has been a model for administrators from other provinces and
communities to study its internal administration system.
After Chiang Man, other communities will receive the
government’s SML funds. Small communities will get 200,000 baht, medium sized
ones 250,000 baht and large communities 300,000 baht.
The funds will be managed by the communities themselves.
While someone must benefit from the Thaksin largesse, it is hard to imagine that
250,000 baht will go far to build a community centre. Or perhaps it will be a
very small one?
Care and treatment for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PWHAs)
Health
Development Network (HDN)
On October 26, the Health and Development Networks (HDN)
hosted its monthly NGO forum in Chiang Mai to discuss the topic “A needs
assessment: what is good care for people living with HIV/AIDS?” This topic
arose from the September discussion of holistic health care for people living
with HIV/AIDS (PWHAs).
Three panelists discussed their perspectives based on their
background in psychology/emotional health, herbal medicine, as well as TB and
HIV/AIDS.
Sivalee Kasemsilpa, the first panelist specialized in
psychology and emotional health, raised the importance of understanding the
function of one’s mind and body. It was noted by the speaker that it is
important to keep our mind positive to keep from drowning.
People must understand that the source of happiness is caused
by external and internal factors, according to Sivalee. Experience, knowledge
and attitude shape how their mind will process and react to external and
internal factors. People can prevent these factors from affecting their mind by
(1) not approaching them (external); and (2) controlling how our mind will
process and react to them (external and internal). It is suggested that it is
crucial that people’s minds remain positive in order to lead them healthy
life.
The second panelist, Colonel Chainarong Na Chiangmai,
provided his perspectives as a practitioner of Thai traditional herbal medicine.
He discussed how treating the “mind and body” should be the priority in
caring for PWHAs. The theories of Thai holistic treatment argue that human body
is made up of earth, water, air, fire and metal. The climate and consumer
behavior of people are some factors that cause imbalance of these five elements.
So, it is possible to prevent opportunistic infection and help PWHA cope with
pain by addressing the imbalance along with the use of herbal supplements and
acupressure.
Through traditional holistic approach, he explained that
patients who were successfully treated for opportunistic infections maintained a
healthy lifestyle by observing their food intake and living in a clean
environment. Those who underwent treatment but succumbed to the opportunistic
infections were those who came at the final stages or did not maintain the
recommended healthy lifestyle.
The third panelist from the tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS
health sector, Sumalee Amarinsangpan, said that healthy individuals and PHWAs
both carry the risk of contracting various types of opportunistic infections
including TB. The probability of successfully treating such infections depends
on early detection and receiving continued treatment. PWHAs require longer
treatment and have higher risks of contracting and succumbing to opportunistic
infections due to a weaker immune system (i.e. low white blood cell count).
TB can arise in different parts of the body and is contagious
through respiratory and digestive system. The symptoms of TB range from coughing
heavily for more than two weeks with phlegm, coughing up blood, or running a
high fever. If these symptoms are identified, immediate medical check-up is
recommended and is covered by the national 30 baht Health Scheme.
It is important that patients with TB symptoms do not share
utensils, as well as close their mouth when coughing or sneezing in preventing
others from contracting TB. Since TB virus found in phlegm has a life expectancy
of three days after leaving the body, it is recommended to burn clothes of TB
patients instead of throwing them away. Patients should receive continued care
and live in clean and dry environment in order to be successfully treated. If
patients are not consistent in their drug intake, they risk the chance of
affecting others and will not be cured.
The discussion that followed the presentation of the
panelists mainly concerned addressing the problem of TB or HIV/AIDS infected
individuals being treated as pariah in the society.
Sansoen Duangdee, the moderator, concluded that infected
individuals should continue to lead a normal life. As long as they practice the
recommended preventive measures to not infect others, they can live normally
with their family and in the society.
Ex-student arrested for stealing to pay for gambling
Saksit
Meesubkwang
A former student has been arrested for stealing equipment
worth over a million baht from Mae Jo and Chiang Mai universities to pay for
football gambling debts.
Chakrit
Pikkhunee (left), a former student of Mae Jo University’s engineering faculty,
was arrested for theft. A press conference announcing this arrest was held by
Pol Lt Gen Panupong Singhara Na Ayuthaya (right), commissioner of the Provincial
Police Bureau Region 5.
Chakrit Pikkhunee, 23, a former student of Mae Jo
University’s engineering faculty, was arrested on November 6. Three computers,
a Honda Civic car, projector, university student’s uniform and equipment to
jimmy open doors were seized.
The two universities earlier had notified the police 20 items
of equipment costing about two million baht had been stolen.
Pol Lt Gen Panupong Singhara Na Ayuthaya, commissioner of the
Provincial Police Bureau Region 5, said that Chakrit was no longer a member of
the faculty but he still wore the university’s uniform to wander around the
campus. He allegedly stole from the university for over two years during
lunchtime or breaks.
Chakrit said that he sold the stolen equipment to a middleman
in Bangkok to pay for his football gambling habit. He would bet at least 15,000
baht on every important match, especially during the Premier League and the
German Bundesliga.
Pol Lt Gen Panupong said he believed there might be a gang
behind Chakrit. “It is incredible that he would perform this illegal job
alone,” he said.
Pol Lt Gen Panupong also said Chakrit’s behavior showed
that there were still many football gambling dens in Chiang Mai. He appealed to
the public and press to inform the police about the existence of any gambling
dens.
“If any police officers fail to act against gambling dens in their areas of
responsibility, they will be transferred - irrespective of their position,”
said the commissioner.
Student dies in freak accident
while playing basketball
Saksit
Meesubkwang
An 11-year-old Santi Suksa School student, Ratchanont Pratarn,
died of a brain haemorrhage after playing basketball with his school friends.
After hitting his head, he was sent to the school’s medical
care room for basic treatment, where a teacher gave him a pill to relieve his
pain. After that, he attended Muslim prayers as usual, but after 10 minutes he
complained of severe head pains and was sent to the Mother and Child Health
Hospital.
However, he died before arriving at the hospital, said Dr
Weerachai Jitrapiangkarnkar. He had stopped breathing on the way. Dr Weerachai
put the cause of death as a brain haemorrhage.
The boy’s parents, Winai, 35, and Malee Pratarn, 28,
expressed dissatisfaction with the school and teachers. Winai said that the
school lacked a safety system and neglected to observe his son’s symptoms
thoroughly.
“My son should have been sent to the hospital earlier,”
said Winai. He plans to send a petition to the Ministry of Education.
He also notified the police at Muang District police station.
The police will investigate the case but cannot apportion blame at this stage.
Sornchai Chokchaiwong, owner of Santi Suksa School, said that
he had to hear details of the incident from witnesses before he could comment,
as he was not present when the accident occurred.
“Nobody wished this tragic incident to occur and the school
will compensate the parents if there is any evidence to prove the school’s
negligence,” said Sornchai.
Monk arrested on charges of using and trafficking drugs
Some people have dirty habits
Nopniwat
Krailerg
A 33-year-old monk, Narin Tosedthee, known as “Narin To”,
was arrested on November 4 at Wat Ram Peung Tapotaram in tambon Suthep, Chiang
Mai in connection with using and trafficking drugs.
Pol Lt Maj Boonyawat Kerdklum, deputy commander of Phuping
police station, and other officers armed with a warrant searched the monk’s
room at the temple. They found 20,000 baht in cash, pornographic VCDs and
photographs, as well as condoms. Narin was made to undergo a urine test which
showed he had taken drugs.
The accused confessed to having bought the drugs from another
monk for his private use and to sell to other drug addicts. However, no drugs
were found at the scene.
Narin said the money had been donated and belonged to the
temple, so he handed it to the abbot, who thanked him and promptly asked him to
leave the monkhood.
Narin confessed that he took ya ba pills with another monk
named Somkit at his room the night before the arrest. He obtained 20 tablets
when he went out to study at Wat Pra Singh. He shared the ya ba with other
monks, he claimed, and sold the rest to some teenagers at 200 baht a tablet.
The police revealed they have secretly bought ya ba tablets
from Narin many times in an undercover operation and observed his behavior for
months. During this time, they have been investigating him to catch other monks
involved in the drug trade.
Public officials implicated in selling fake IDs
Nopniwat
Krailerg
Seven public officials in Mae Chaem district, including a
senior assistant district chief officer, have been fingered for producing fake
ID cards which they were selling at 200,000 baht each.
The seven consist of four government officials and three
residents, made up of administration officials in the census registrar section,
village headmen and middlemen in Chiang Mai.
They were implicated in producing counterfeit ID cards for
alien laborers and drug traffickers after a suspected Burmese drug trafficker
carrying a fake card with a Thai name was apprehended on Loi Kroh Road, Muang
district, Chiang Mai on October 9.
An investigation team under the supervision of Pol Col
Chamnarn Ruadrew, deputy commander of the Chiang Mai Provincial police station,
was appointed to investigate the case. It has now been referred to the Office of
National Counter Corruption Commission as four of the alleged wrongdoers are
government officials.
Police with an arrest warrant searched a room on Kotchasarn
Road for a young Burmese woman named Arporn Sey Sian, who was suspected to be a
marijuana trafficker and alien laborer carrying a fake ID card.
In the room, the police became suspicious when her Thai ID
card gave her age as 19 years although she appeared to be older, and because she
could not speak, read or write Thai.
It was later revealed that her real name was Pan, 23 years
old, and she is a Thai Yai with Burmese nationality who entered Thailand
illegally through Mae Hong Son province and worked there for two years.
She previously worked at a beer bar on Loi Kroh Road eight
years ago and has a New Zealand husband who visits her occasionally.
Pan confessed that officials in Mae Chaem district earlier
this year produced her fake ID, for which she paid 200,000. She also confessed
that the marijuana was bought from a man in tambon Mae Ta Man, Mae Chaem
district. She sold it in portions to foreigners on Loi Kroh Road for between
150-500 baht.
After the arrest, the police discovered that a gang had hired
village middlemen to trick house owners into signing child admission documents.
After this the ID was made up to have the aliens’ photos and bogus Thai names.
A news source said that the gang had done this several times,
cashing in large amounts of money. Most fake ID buyers are rich drug
traffickers.
Chiang Mai Governor Suwat Tantipat said that he had set up a
committee to examine the evidence and strictly enforce the law in every
district. If public officers were found to have taken part in this illegal
activity, they would face criminal charges as it dealt with the government’s
reputation and national security.
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