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Police ready with security for peak season
Nopniwat Krailerg
Provincial Police Bureau Region 5 is preparing to take
charge of all security arrangements during the coming tourism season.
This
will be one of the sights on Saturday at the Meditation Center Sansai,
nearby Maejo University. The festivities will start as soon as the sun sets,
and it is advisable that all those interested should be at the location
ahead of time. Parking can be difficult. For more information about the
upcoming Loy Krathong “Yee Peng” activities in and around Chiang Mai,
please turn to page 3.
Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Panupong Singhara na Ayuthaya
said that the next few weeks will be a particularly active time during the
season, with Loy Krathong and the New Year festival along with various local
activities within the eight Northern provinces. Many visitors will come
simply because of the cool weather, and the scenic beauty of the region with
its mists and winter colors.
Loy Krathong takes place November 9-17, with many
activities around Thapae Gate and the Chiang Mai Municipality office area. A
large number of Thai and foreign visitors is expected, and the provincial
police will be there to take care of security and other community services.
BAAC makes special provision
for farmers who suffered flooding
Preeyanoot Jittawong
Special provision has been made by the Bank of
Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives for farmers who suffered in the
recent flooding.
(From
left) Choochoke Thongtaluang, head of Chiang Mai Provincial Public
Relation Office and Boonlert Teuanyeonyong, director of Bank for
Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives Chiang Mai office jointly give
information in a press conference.
Boonlert Teuanyeonyong, director of the bank’s
Chiang Mai office, together with Choochoke Thongtaluang, head of the
Chiang Mai Provincial Public Relations Office, held a briefing on
November 4 to announce that at the second trimester from April 1 to
September 30, the bank had 120,096 household clients and authorized 3,833
million baht of debt.
Because of the floods, agriculturists whose farms were
damaged by more than 50 percent have had their loans rescheduled for one
year and interest will be waived for three years. Further loans have also
been authorized.
The director said that the bank is able to provide
training in easy accounting methods so that households and agriculturists
can record their daily income and outgoings, and enjoy better management
of their finances to enable them to save more.
He added that by depositing money at the Bank for
Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, individuals are doing more
than saving for themselves, they are also helping other agriculturists.
For more information call 0 5341 6995-6 or any branch of the bank.
Communities on full alert for signs of bird flu
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Mai Mayor Boonlert Buranupakorn said the
municipality in cooperation with Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Office
is carrying out rigorous checks to see if there is any indication of the
bird flu virus in the province.
 Chiang
Mai mayor Boonlert Buranupakorn.
Officers have been traveling throughout the municipality
area and almost a thousand community leaders and volunteers from 80
communities have been working together to check for signs of the virus.
There is also an educational program for residents telling them how to spot
symptoms in winged livestock, and to report on bird and fowl deaths to
relevant municipal officials in their area. An extensive program of
antiseptic spraying is being carried out in livestock areas.
The mayor added that there are four areas registered to check winged
livestock, namely Kawila, Nakorn Ping, Meng Rai and Sri Wichai.
Incoming crews at Chiang Saen Port are checked for avian flu
Chiangmai Mail Reporters
Instrumentation has been installed at Chiang Saen Port to
check the health of cargo crews arriving on vessels from China, as part of
the region’s fight against the spread of avian flu.
Tinnakorn Jaikhamkrua, of the public health office
control point at the port, said the equipment came into use on November 2.
Amongst other checks it reads body temperature. Almost 100 crew members from
a total of 10 cargo ships were checked, and all proved to be healthy.
Chiang Rai Provincial Livestock Office has meanwhile
disclosed that dead chickens in several areas of Chiang Rai and Thoeng were
checked out for avian flu but were found to have died from unrelated causes.
Mae Maw tin mine wins award for best management
Chiangmai
Mail Reporter
Mae Maw tin mine has received an award from the
Department of Primary Industries and Mines for best management and
business standards.
Anusorn Nuangponmak, director general of the
department, presented awards to the best mines in the country. Out of a
total of 1,304 mines, 32 were selected for awards.
Mae Maw’s planning and administration manager
Chooyode Sutharatanachaiporn received the award on behalf of the mine.
Anusorn said that to run a business and reach good
standards required good management at all levels, including safety,
hygiene, administration, management, environment, manufacturing
technology and participation with government and community.
Chooyode said that Mae Maw tin mine had received ISO
14001 certification in 2000.
Mae Hong Son says 80,000 are
at risk from cold weather through lack of blankets and coats
Chiangmai Mail Reporters
Mae Hong Son Governor Direk Konkleeb has cautioned people
to be careful of the changeable weather. The low atmospheric pressure from
China will cover the North of Thailand and temperatures will decrease
sharply, becoming very cold in the hilly areas. Blankets and coats should be
prepared and kept ready.
A survey by the Office of Disaster Prevention and
Mitigation has revealed that almost 80,000 people in seven districts of Mae
Hong Son are at particular risk from the cold weather.
The survey has logged the numbers in details. The total
is 72,052 people. By district these are 4,610 people in Muang, 3,752 in Sop
Moei, 6,548 in Khun Yuam, 10,671 in Mae Sa Riang, 11,950 in Mae La Noi,
3,587 in Pang Ma Pha, and 30,938 in Pai. Almost all are elderly and people
who have low incomes. It is predicted that at least 90,000 blankets and
coats will be needed to meet needs.
Eight Northern governors to Japan to learn expo management
Nopniwat Krailerg
Eight Northern provincial governors are preparing for a
visit to Japan where they will study the art of world class expo
organization and management.
Napasit Jakpitak, director of the College of Arts, Media
and Technology at Chiang Mai University, who is also responsible for
upgrading handicrafts related tourism in Northern Thailand, said that a firm
strategy had been provided for eight Northern provinces.
Work has already begun, and Sukin Wongsa, the president
of NOHMEX, will report on progress to Deputy Prime Minister Somkid
Jatusripitak.
The next plan is to take the eight governors to visit
Nakoyama, Japan where they will be joined on the trip by the director of the
Northern Economy and Social Development Council.
Another part of the strategy for the eight provinces will
see planners visiting Ubut, in Bali, one of the world’s leading handicraft
cities. They will learn how to manage community and business affairs there,
and then will continue on to Hong Kong, one of the best known international
exhibition centers.
All the planning is being done with the World Craft Expo
2009 in mind, and the faculties of engineering, business administration and
economics at Chiang Mai University will jointly consider the standards of
the expo.
International Education Week November 14-18
Mike Hock
IC-ACE will host a series of programs during
International Education Week 2005.
November 16 and 17, 2005: IC-ACE’s “road trip”
outreach program to leading schools/colleges in northern provinces of
Thailand. The highlight will be presentations by a senior official from
California State University-East Bay to announce a Direct Admit and
Scholarship Program for undergraduates, as well as two generous TESOL
Certificate Scholarships for English-language teachers.
November 18, 2005: IC-ACE’s third annual U.S. Education
Expo, “Ed-eXpo USA 2005”, will be held at International Center and
American Corner of Chiang Mai University. US Consul General Bea Camp will be
Honorary Patron of the event.
Ed-eXpo USA 2005 is free to public, and will include
* The US Consul General’s Challenge Trophy: innovative,
exciting contests of English language, US culture and education Leading high
schools in northern Thailand will compete against defending champions,
Prince Royal’s College of Chiang Mai, for the trophy and a bounty of
prizes;
* “Meet the Visa Officer”: Consular Officer of the US
Consulate General-Chiang Mai will conduct a public workshop to update and
provide guidance on US student visa applications.
* Scholarship Workshops
* US Education Panel Talk: Cal State-East Bay and
University of San Francisco will speak on distinctive advantages of US
public and private college education.
* Door gifts for all visitors, with Raffle Draws for
attractive prizes, including IC-ACE scholarships for Test Prep (TOEFL,
TOEIC, GRE, GMAT, and SAT), Global English Certificates, SmoothTalk, and
Teen-Trendy-Talk courses.
New public park opens in center of Lamphun
Chiangmai Mail Reporters
Muang Lamphun municipality opened a new public park in
the center of the city, with a ceremony presided over by Deputy Governor
Chalermchai Worawutputipong.
Chalermchai said that developments and traffic in the
city had increased and as a result there has been an increase in pollution
levels which affects the health of residents. Lamphun province considers
pollution control and environmental protection to be one of its most
important responsibilities, and this has led to the creation of Kunatham
Public Park. The park is a new green lung for Lamphun, and a resting place,
exercise area and a place for families to spend time together. It features
fountains, underwater lights, elephant sculptures, and a playground.
Prapat Poojareun, of Muang Lamphun municipality, said
that a survey amongst residents had revealed the majority wanted to see
their historic city have a beautiful environment and to enhance its
reputation as a center for art and culture. This is very much in line with
other projects in the Mekong River basin where the emphasis is being placed
on heritage, the environment and nature conservation.
The Ministry of Interior allocated a special budget of 30
million baht to the municipality for Mahawan Gate and related improvements
to the surrounding area. Overall, the works include improvements to Mahawan
Gate, two bridges crossing the Lamphun canal, four gates to the city, the
scenery around the canal, and the public park. So far, almost 12 million
baht has been spent.
FTA causes trouble for Thai farmers, says respected agricultural specialist
Warning on loss of intellectual property
Saksit Meesubkwang
Dr Thawat Thapingkang, an agriculture lecturer and
consultant, has claimed that since the Thai government proclaimed a Free
Trade Area (FTA) with China two years ago, the affect on Thai farmers has
been a negative one.
 Dr
Thawat Thapingkang, agriculture lecturer and private consultant describing
how the FTA can cause trouble for Thai farmers.
There are now more goods being imported from China along
the border in areas such as Chiang Saen, Mae Sai and Chiang Rai. These have
low capital costs while the products from Thai farmers are higher because of
the high cost of equipment and fertilizers, most of which is imported.
Chinese products have therefore gained advantages over Thai agricultural
products.
Dr Thawat added that another failing is that the
government does not pay much attention to Thai agriculture, especially in
that it does little to support professional agriculture academies that would
help produce products of good quality.
Thai farmers are now influenced by foreign companies and
this has resulted in many Thai products and plants being registered for
copyright under the name of foreign companies. A survey has discovered that
there are 800 companies registered for agricultural products and most of
these companies are owned by Koreans, Japanese and Taiwanese. The Thai
government should not ignore this issue and should do something before all
Thai agricultural product copyrights belong to other countries.
Dr Ah-nus Tancho, coordinator of the Northern natural agriculture
network, said that initially farmers distributed agricultural products to
department stores but later some government officials in association with
private companies fixed agricultural product standards and hired specialty
farmers to produce the product to send to department stores, consequently
causing problems for other farmers.
Giant beer advertisement brings no cheer to residents
Saksit Meesubkwang
Residents up in arms over the erection of a giant advertising
hoarding have been backed by Tambon Chang Puek Mayor Tassanee Buranupakorn.
Tassanee said that the huge sign in front of Wat Jet Yod on
the Chiang Mai-Lampang Superhighway in Muang, Chiang Mai hides the view of Wat
Phra Thad Doi Suthep.
Tambon Chang Puek municipality had demanded that erection of
the hoarding be stopped but the contractor had finished the construction work
and already had an advertisement for a beer brand on display. In the view of
residents this was not appropriate, said Tassanee.
The mayor said the hoarding was the responsibility of 96
Advertising Co, and that Densak Thongsang, who lives in Bangkok, had applied for
the construction permit on August 4 this year at Chang Puek municipality. The
process had therefore been legally approved. Subsequently it appeared the
construction was larger than the initial agreement that had stipulated only 32
meters high and 16 meters wide. The municipality tried to stop construction but
the company continued building the sign.
On October 6 the municipality asked Chang Puek Police to
intervene but the advertising company ignored directives to cease and on October
28 an advertisement for a beer brand appeared.
The advertisement displays a picture of the King and
therefore the municipality has appealed to Muang Chiang Mai district office to
check if it is appropriate. Meanwhile, 96 Advertising Co has challenged the
municipality to sue the company, and says if it loses the case the company will
remove the hoarding. The mayor said she will continue with the legal process.
Tradition a focus during the Yee Peng celebrations
Staff Reporters
Tourism Authority of Thailand Northern Office Region 1 and
Chiang Mai municipality are to jointly organize Chiang Mai’s Yee Peng
activities during November 11 to 17 at the public park next to the governor’s
residence.
November 12 will feature a country music show performed by
the Ja Nok Rong School band from Phitsanulok, former winners of the national
award from the Ching Cha Sawan show hosted by Channel 9.
November 13 will see a traditional Lanna music performance,
Salor Sor Seung, by Panutat “Kru Add” Aphichanathong and the singer M
Attapol, winner of The Star singing contest.
On November 15-17 there will be an opportunity to enjoy a
reminiscence of the Lanna way of life, a recreation of Lanna traditions such as
decorating arbors, making elaborate lanterns, cooking Thai sweetmeats, and
making a krathong from banana leaves and a wax candle. All these are indigenous
to the Northern part of Thailand.
The activities focus on tracing traditions back to the
ancient Yee Peng festival at the Three Kings Monument ground. Yee Peng lanterns
will be placed along the Chang Klan Road. A light and sound presentation will
take place at the floating stage in the Mae Ping River in front of Chiang Mai
municipality office. A Miss Noppamas contest will be staged at Thapae Gate while
small and giant krathongs will be paraded along Thapae Road.
Chiang Mai Yee Peng Festival Schedule
November 9-17
- Official Opening Ceremony of Chiang Mai Yee
Peng Festival at Thapae Gate Nov. 15
- Miss Yee Peng contest 16th-17th
- Traditional Loy Krathong activity in front of governor’s
residence 11th-14th
- Krathong floating, Lanna style 15th-17th
- Front gate of 13 temples on Rachadamnern-Thapae Road at all
time decorated 15th-17th
- Walking street displayed with Lanna and local handicrafts
on Rachadamnern Road 9th-15th
- Small Krathong parade contest at Thapae Gate on the 16th
- Giant Krathong parade contest on the 17th
- Local Lanna-Japanese folk performance at Chiang Mai
municipality office 15th-17th
- Beauty Kids Yee Peng Contest on the 15th
- Floating Krathong Contest 16th-17th
- Handmade Krathong (banana leafs and flowers) contest on the
16th
- Rites Honorary and pay respect to White Pagoda (Wat Sri
Kong Pier) on the 16th
- Hot Air Balloon Contest on the 16th
- Water Sports (bamboo rafting, diving and enameled bowl
rafting Competition) on the 16th
- Fireworks for Buddha Bucha 15th-17th
- Release Krathong along the river as line 15th-17th
- Light & Sound Events on the Ping River 15th-17th
- Legend of Loy Krathong Festival at the Three Kings Monument
9th-17th
- Lanna Dhamma Preaching of Mahachat Wat Lok Mo Lee 13th-14th
- Folk Art of 6 Ethnic Races, Maze, Beauty Kids contest and
Preaching Mahachat at Wat Jed Lin 15th-17th
- Legend of Yee Peng Lantern as admiration for King at Wat
Inthakin 13th-17th
- Sirimangkala Yee Peng Preservation Ceremony at Chiang Mai
Buddhism Place 15th-17th
- The regional Art & Culture Exhibition at Chiang Mai University Art
Museum 11th-20th
A short discourse on Loy Krathong meanings and traditions
According to the history written by King
Mongkut in 1863, the Loy Krathong festival has its roots in ancient Brahmin
culture, going back some 700 years. The spirits of the river were given
offerings which were sailed in the river in small boats (krathongs) and in this
way the owner of the krathong would gain absolution. This was a Brahmin belief.
The small boats fashioned by the beautiful and talented Nang
Noppamas, the daughter of a Brahmin priest and wife of King Phra Ruang, were
notable for their construction and beauty. It was this king who then dedicated
the krathong to the memory of the Buddha, and decreed that the event would be
called Loy Krathong and that it should become an annual celebration to
commemorate the skill and beauty of his consort. In this way he lifted it out of
Brahmin culture and installed it into the accepted Buddhist way of life. This is
the reason that the krathongs now carry three incense sticks representing the
Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
During the Loy Krathong Festival, people decorate their
krathong with flowers, joss sticks and candles which will then sail away, taking
with them bad health, bad luck and unhappiness.
Lanterns are well-known symbols in the Loy Krathong Festival, too, being used
to decorate houses and temples in worship of the guardian spirits. There are
four kinds of lantern used in the festival: the hand-held rabbit lantern, the
hot air balloon lantern (kom loy), the hanging lantern for religious worship,
and the spin lantern installed at the temples. The belief in lanterns is that
the lights inside compare with the wisdom the people will gain in the next life.
CBN Siam announces new TV program “One Cubed”
Karen Thompson
CBN Siam is happy to announce the arrival of a new music
video program for teens and young adults called “One Cubed”. The program is
produced in Chiang Mai and features music videos from around the world. Hosted
by popular Thai-Italian actress Karen Klongtruadroke, the program will premiere
on UBC’s Chic Channel (#20) on Saturday November 19 at 5 p.m.
Host Karen
Klongtruadroke on the set.
What makes this program different from many others is that
the music videos highlight strong positive values that give encouragement and
hope to young people growing up in a troubled world. One Cubed airs with local
hosts in many countries in Asia, Africa, North and South America and Europe. The
name stands for “One World, One Hope, One Music.”
Host Karen Klongtruadroke is probably best known by Thai
audiences for her starring role in the movie, Dek Say Play. She has also acted
in other movies and television programs in addition to modeling and singing.
In addition to the weekly airtime on Saturdays, One Cubed
will re-air on the Chic Channel on Mondays at 2.30 p.m., Wednesdays at 10.30
a.m., and Fridays at 7.30 a.m. For information about One Cubed around the world,
log onto our website at: www.1cubed.com.
The Chiangmai based CBN Siam also produces two other programs
that can be seen nationwide in Thailand on free-to-air TV: From Heart To Heart
airs every Sunday morning at 6. a.m. on iTV. Kids Only airs each Wednesday
afternoon at 5.30 p.m. on Channel 11.
For more information about One Cubed or other CBN Siam programs, contact
Senior Producer Somporn Moolsan at 053-262-940 or email som porn13@hotmail.com.
Walking and safety food streets recall an earlier era
Chiangmai Mail
Reporter
Lampang’s walking and safety food streets made their debut
on November 5, with a decor that evoked an earlier era.
Nakorn Lampang municipality organized Kad Kongta walking
street on Talad Jeen Road and Kad Him Wang safety food street on a route beside
the Wang River near Wat Koh, in a move to promote tourism and to boost the local
economy. Residents at Talad Jeen decorated their households with lanterns and
mementos of times gone by. Some of the older houses even invited visitors to
view inside.
Local products were on display, and there were street
performances. Residents and tourists alike enjoyed the event, which will
continue. Kad Kongta walking street opens every Saturday and Sunday from 6.00 to
10.00 pm while Kad Him Wang safety food street opens daily during the same time.
Mae Sai to open electronic passport center
Nopniwat Krailerg
Applications are now being invited for vehicle owners to bid
for lucky-number license plates, with the auction to be held on November 26 and
27 at the Empress Hotel in Chiang Mai.
Autsathai Rattanadilok na Phuket, head of Chiang Mai
provincial transport office, said that the Department of Land Transport is
allowing each province to organize license plate auctions to raise revenue that
would then be used for road safety budgets.
The previous auction for Kor Yor license plates received
total revenue of 22,835,000 baht. Piyaphan Champasut, director general of the
Department of Land Transport has announced that revenue from private car license
plate bids throughout the country has resulted in a total 684 million baht going
towards road safety as of September.
Up for the highest bidder this month are Kor Ror license
plates with the numbers 1111, 2222, 3333, 4444, 5555, 6666, 7777, 8888 and 9999,
including 1, 2, 11, 22, 33, 8899 and 8989 together with 123, 345, 1000, 2000,
1122, 1234 and 5678 plus 9669, 9090 and 9696.
Autsathai said that Kor Ror means “accomplishment and
riches”. These license plates will increase in value in the future, and can be
handed down to descendants.
To apply for the tender or to find out more call Chiang Mai
provincial transport office during weekdays on 0 5327 7842.
Mobile survey for travel agents looks to expand tourism sites
Nopniwat Krailerg
Mae Sai district will next month open an electronic passport
center for tourists who wish to visit Tachilek district in Burma.
Somwang Rungtrakoolchai, Mae Sai district chief officer, said
that during the holidays and festival periods in particular, many tourists
travel to Mae Sai and then cross over the border.
There normally can be between 1,200 and 1,500 people
presenting their passports at the border crossing, but during a holiday period
this can double. This causes delays in service and lack of time for officials to
pay full attention to individual cases.
Mae Sai district had therefore requested a budget of 2
million baht from the Ministry of Interior to set up the electronic passport
center. This will serve tourists by using 11 computers connected with the
individual register network of the Department of Local Administration, at the
Ministry of Interior. The center will be ready for service in the beginning of
December, in good time for the winter tourism season.
Chinese minister visits Chiang Mai as guest of governor
Chiangmai Mail Reporters
Chinese Minister Liu Yunshan visited Chiang Mai as a guest of
the governor, traveling to Wat Phra Thad Doi Suthep and taking in many of the
city’s sights during his stay here.
Governor Suwat Tantipat hosted a Lanna style dinner for the
minister and his entourage at Khum Kan Tok, where the Chinese delegation enjoyed
the cultural performance. The party, which stayed at the Sheraton Hotel, also
visited an elephant camp, and the wood handicraft center at Baan Tawai village.
Minister Liu then left for Cambodia.
The minister and his party had previously been in Chiang Rai,
and had inspected the Doi Tung Development Project and Golden Triangle Opium
Hall. They had met with MR Disanada Disakul, head of the Doi Tung Development
Project, who had guided them around the Doi Tung Royal Villa, Princess Mother
Commemorative Hall, and Mae Fah Luang Garden.
Liu Yunshan had asked about the project’s background, and
was briefed on Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Boromarajajonani’s concerns about the
environment and the hill tribe people’s way of life. Her Royal Highness the
Princess Mother had helped them to turn away from growing opium and to grow
other crops instead.
Ministry hunts for Thai woman missing for 27 years
Rumored she is in North Korea
Nopniwat Krailerg
Ministry of Foreign Affairs officers have visited the home of
a Chiang Mai woman who it is believed was kidnapped 27 years ago and taken to
North Korea.
Kiattikhun Chatprasert, deputy director of the ministry’s
department of information, together with district chief officer Suchai Jongrak,
traveled to the house of Anocha Panjoi at Nong Sae village, Tambon Huay Sai, in
San Kamphaeng district. Anocha went missing in Macau in 1978 and has not been
seen since. The officials were there to obtain information from Sukham Panjoi,
Anocha’s elder brother.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said it will coordinate
with North Korea in the search for Anocha. Her relatives still desperately want
to know what happened to her, 27 years after she left home to go and work in
Macau, where she vanished so mysteriously.
Recently, there has been news from a former American soldier
who had deserted and stayed in North Korea. He said that he knew a woman named
Anocha Panjoi, who had been married to his friend, also an American soldier who
deserted.
Police bang on with crackdown on the firecrackers
Nopniwat Krailerg and
Saksit Meesubkwang
Police are checking shops in the lead-up to Loy Krathong to
see that regulations on the sale of fireworks are not infringed, following the
number of injuries that occur during the festival period each year.
Police
officers investigate Somboon firework shop.
Chiang Mai municipality has announced that those who sell
fireworks without authorization will be liable for penalties of up to six months
imprisonment and a fine not exceeding 10,000 baht.
 Police
officers seized gunpowder and firecracker ingredients.
Police investigated the Somboon fireworks shop on Tha Sa Toy
Road on November 2, where they found imported fireworks along with almost 40
kilograms of gunpowder and equipment for making very large fireworks. The
evidence was impounded until the owner can produce the necessary authorization.
If he cannot, he will be prosecuted.
Pol Col Chamnan Ruadreuw, Chiang Mai Provincial Police deputy commander, said
that officers have surveyed premises in San Sai and Muang District and arrested
the owners of five shops who do not have a fireworks sales permit. He said the
crackdown will continue until the Loy Krathong festival is over, because
firecrackers are dangerous to tourist and residents.
Former jockey sacked for glue sniffing drowns
Nopniwat Krailerg
A former jockey who became addicted to glue sniffing drowned
when he fell into a canal after becoming disoriented after using an inhalant.
Marine
officers and rescue team retrieve the man’s body from the canal.
The report that a man had drowned in the canal next to the
Chinese graveyard at Singh Monument was given to Chang Puek Police Station.
Together with Chiang Mai municipality marine officers, they investigated the
scene.
On the canal bank they found a can of glue. The body was
quickly retrieved and was identified as Worakan Chaipanut, 27, living in San Pa
Tong. He used to be a jockey at the military race track in Tambon Nong Haw, but
the army discovered he was addicted and he was retired from his position.
On the day of his death, Worakan wandered along to rest at a building in the
Chinese graveyard. He took inhalant on the canal bank, fell in and was drowned.
His body was sent to Maharaj Hospital and his relatives contacted to collect his
body.
Depressed grocery store owner commits suicide
Nopniwat Krailerg and
Saksit Meesubkwang
An elderly man who suffered from palsy and who had become
seriously depressed shot himself at his Muang Mai Market home.
Police
officers checking the second floor of the building.
Chang Puek police and the Ruam Jai Rescue Foundation were
called out on November 8 to the address on Muang Samut Road Soi 2. The property
is a two-story building, the first floor being a grocery and the second floor a
residence. The officers found the body of the grocery store owner, 72-year-old
Kamon Luangtrakoon, on the second floor. He had shot himself in the stomach with
a Smith and Wesson .38 revolver. The gun lay beside his body with five bullets
left in the chamber.
The dead man’s son, Prinya, 29, said that no one had realized the sound was
a gunshot, thinking at first it was a firecracker. It was a little later that
Prinya had found the body. He told the officers that his father had become very
depressed as he suffered from palsy. He had recently undergone treatment at
Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. After that it had appeared his father’s
condition had improved because everyone at home had helped him to do physical
therapy, but to no avail.
Reporters threatened by Lampang garbage pit operators
Petition is presented to governor who promises full support to media
Nopniwat Krailerg
Lampang journalists say they are being threatened following
reports they have published on problems with a local garbage pit.
On November 3, Chatree Yodsomsaen, president of Nakorn
Lampang journalist club, presented a petition to Lampang Governor Amornthad
Niratisayakul on behalf of the media complaining reporters have been intimidated
and requesting that action be taken against those making the threats.
News stories have been appearing regarding the social and
environmental problems continually afflicting residents near the garbage pit.
The press says that organizations or persons concerned with the pit have issued
the threats and that if the situation is ignored there are fears for the safety
of the reporters. There is also the possibility that operators of other garbage
disposal areas could be encouraged by media silence and feel they could get away
with similar actions.
The media would like all police stations to check local
politicians or even former local politicians and others who are involved with
garbage pit benefits. Furthermore, a seminar concerning garbage pits in Lampang
should be organized to deal with this problem in a constructive manner.
The governor accepted the petition presented by a delegation
of almost 20 reporters and said that he will do what the media requests. He
encouraged the press to continue reporting news and to advise him of any further
threats. The province has prosecuted garbage pit operators on eight previous
occasions for infringements and would continue to watch the situation closely.
Burmese tribesman caught smuggling 10,000 speed pills
Not ‘speedy’ enough!
Chiangmai Mail Reporters
A 34-year old Tai tribesman from Burma was arrested
by Mae Hong Son Provincial Police, acting in cooperation with ONCB
Northern Region, when he attempted to transfer 10,000 amphetamine pills
to undercover officers acting as drug purchasers.
The man, named as Teng (family name unknown), told
police that he had studied in Pang Mapha for two years and always
traveled between Mae Hong Son and Burma. He had twice transferred drugs,
he said. The first time he was hired for 30,000 baht to courier ya ba to
Wat Papao in Chiang Mai. This time he received 10,000 baht to transfer
the drugs from a city in Burma to hand to the purchasers who proved to
be undercover officers.
Teng, who was arrested at Baan Napa Pak-Baan Huay
Makeua Som Road in Muang, Mae Hong Son, said that two other drug dealers
named Jai and Han had already fled to Burma. There were Thais also
involved but Teng said he was not prepared to divulge their names.
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