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Chiang Mai’s Mayor announces a “Polite and Safe Songkran”
“A peaceful, non-violent, non-alcoholic festival”
CMM Reporters
At a press conference at Wat Phra Singh last Wednesday, the Mayor of
Chiang Mai, Dr Duentemduang na Chiengmai, announced her plans for a polite
and safe Songkran. Attended by officials from the Tourism Authority of
Thailand and representatives of the local police force, she asked the local
media to pass on her hopes of a “peaceful, non-violent, non-alcoholic and
Happy Water Thai New Year”. To this end, the authorities have set up 20
‘polite zones’ around the moat where people can enjoy the festivities in the
traditional manner. These zones will be manned by Thai and foreign
volunteers in order to assist tourists and the general public at large.
Chiang Mai municipality cares for domestic animals
City vets were busy all day vaccinating and
spaying dogs and cats
Saksit Meesubkwang
Following reports that there was a spread of diseases relating to
animals such as dogs, cats and rabbits in our city, the Chiang Mai Livestock
Office launched a campaign not only to rid the city of stray animals but
also to protect them from contracting rabies and other communicable
diseases.
Last week a team of veterinarians from the office set up a mobile
veterinarian clinic at Sala Wat Suan Dok, in Chiang Mai where citizens could
bring their beloved pets to be vaccinated against rabies and also have them
spayed if they so wished.
Mayor Dr Duentemduang conducts a
pre-Songkran inspection of the moat area
Newly introduced disinfected water to be chlorinated
Dr Duentemduang, Mayor of
Chiang Mai,
inspects the pre-Songkran work at the moat.
Saksit Meesubkwang
On April 1, the Mayor of Chiang Mai, Dr Duentemduang na Chiengmai,
and her administrators inspected work in progress along the moat in the Khu
Mong area of the city. The moat has been cleaned and dredged, and a new
footpath has been laid. Although the construction work is not yet complete,
it has now been suspended in order not to cause inconvenience to residents’
and tourists’ celebrations of the Songkran Festival in the area. The project
is due for completion at the end of June, but the city’s Irrigation
Department has now filled the moat with disinfected water, which will also
be chlorinated in order to make it safe for those who wish to play and swim
in it during the festival.
NGOs call for “international best practice” during new war on drugs
Fears that new policy will result in extra-judicial killings
CMM Reporters
At a regular monthly meeting of NGOs held in Chiang Mai late last
month, representatives of northern region civil society pressed the
government to abide by international best practice and human rights
guidelines in the recently announced new “war on drugs” scheduled to begin
on April 2. In February, the Minister of the Interior, Chalerm Yubamrung,
had caused concern with his statement that, “If drug dealers do not wish to
die, they should change their ways. Whilst I am Interior Minister, drug
suppression strategies will follow those used during former PM Thaksin
Shinawatra’s time in office. If this leads to the deaths of 3,000-4,000
criminals, then so be it. As to those of you in the opposition party, I will
say that you care more about human rights than the drug problems in
Thailand”. When Thaksin’s policy was launched in 2003, it resulted in over
2,800 extra-judicial killings of suspected drugs users, and was heavily
criticised by local and international media and society.
Concern amongst civil society representatives focuses on fears that the new
initiative will drive drug users underground, away from the reach of
services that can save their lives. HIV prevention and treatment may be
compromised, as the fear of mistreatment will prevent injecting users from
accessing essential harm reduction services, resulting in the loss of
innocent lives and the spread of the virus. Karyn Kaplan, campaign director
of the Thai AIDS Treatment Action Group is particularly worried, and states,
“Drug suppression is nothing new; it has been happening for decades, but is
now being taken up by increasing numbers of NGOs and user organisations.
Without proper monitoring by such organisations, the government’s initiative
may not be able to solve the problem. Incidence of HIV in injecting drug
users represents 50% of the total; yet, although the NGO efforts in this
field are being recognised even outside Thailand, the Thai government seems
to be ignoring the problem”.
Another speaker, Sakda Puekchai, chairperson of the Thai Drug User Network
of Thailand, stated that, “The current narcotic control policy makes the
future look gloomy. Even although many organisations are now becoming
informed and involved, I am not sure whether the results will be positive or
negative.” Sakda added that research should be undertaken to fully
understand the needs of drug users. “The community of drug users needs to be
effectively engaged in addressing the problem of drug use. The authorities
need to get exposed to facts told directly by drug users. At the moment, the
voices of affected drug users are not heard, and they have no role in making
the policy.”
Wiwat Tami, coordinator of the Network for Health of Ethnic Groups on
Highlands, highlighted that the Thai government drug policies were informed
by stereotypical views held of certain groups within Thai society. For
instance, Thai ethnic groups are perceived to be potential drug dealers and
therefore a threat to national security. As a result, during the previous
“war on drugs” in 2003, ethnic people were specifically targeted and many
innocent people were implicated and even killed. “The war on drugs caused a
lot social disruption within the ethnic communities... Many families were
affected, children were orphaned and some women were widowed,” said Wiwat.
“Widowed women were forced into risky transactional sex in an effort to
raise resources to support their families.”
Civil society representatives agreed that much more work needed to be done
to ensure that more information is collected among the affected groups. The
response to the resumption of the war on drugs needed to be locally
motivated, and that an appropriate response to the drug problem required a
multi-sectoral, integrated and comprehensive approach that respected
fundamental human rights within the scope of international law.
New HomePro store
opens in Hang Dong
Easier access for local expat residents
Tess Itura
Those of us who are already familiar with HomePro, (who isn’t!), and
who live in the Hang Dong area of the city, might be pleased to know that a
new branch of the expat-oriented store opened last Saturday on the Big C
complex on Hang Dong Road. The original store on the Superhighway must,
surely, be well appreciated in the expat community by now as a result of its
lady manager’s policy of excellent and friendly customer service and
encouragement of her staff in learning English, thus giving HomePro a
distinct advantage over other such stores in Chiang Mai.
 The
Governor of Chiang Mai, Wibun Sa-nguanphong, together with the President of
the HomePro group, Kunnawat Thumpokul, the Senior Vice President of the
HomePro group, Weerapun Ungsumalee, and officials of the company, at the
opening of the new HomePro superstore in Hang Dong.
The opening of the new store proceeded with much ceremony and some delicious
catering, attended by a good number of mostly Thai invited guests, the usual
clump of media representatives, and a few expats. The Senior Vice President
of the HomePro group, Weerapun Ungsumalee, gave the initial speech, followed
by a speech in welcome to the new store by the Governor of Chiang Mai,
Wiboon Sa-nguanphong. After the Governor had performed the ribbon-cutting
ceremony, donations of newly renovated suites of children’s restrooms were
given to the directors of four schools in the area by the President of the
HomePro group, Kunnawat Thumpokul. After the much appreciated presentation,
everyone followed the Chiang Mai Governor and the company’s executives into
the new store to admire the layout and presentation of everything from
beautifully designed furniture to nuts and bolts!
Myanmar gas pipeline leak not affecting Thai power supplies
Repairs to be completed within 5 days
The Ministry of Energy has insisted that a leakage in the natural gas
pipeline from Myanmar’s Yetagun gas field will not affect the Thai
public’s electricity bills, confirming that Thailand’s energy giant PTT
will postpone the shutdown of Myanmar’s gas pipeline and has reserved
fuel oil supplies from Malaysia to cover the emergency. Energy Minister
Poonpirom Liptapanlop said that although the Yetagun gas field in the
Gulf of Martaban and the Arthit gas field in the Gulf of Thailand have
problems, there will be no shortage of electricity.
Referring to the higher production costs incurred by using fuel oil to
replace natural gas, she said that consumers will not suffer as
insurance will protect the gas fields’ operating company, and the still
strengthening baht will help reduce such costs. Malaysia’s Petronas,
operator of the Yetagun gas field, informed PTT that repairs to the gas
pipeline will be completed within five days. PTT has been importing
reserve fuel oil from Malaysia at the rate of 10 million litres per day,
and has announced postponement of the pipeline’s maintenance shutdown
scheduled for April 11-20.
Daily gas imports into Thailand total 1,160 million cubic feet from the
Yetagun gas field and 700 million cubic feet from the Yanada gas field.
The supply from the Yetagun gas field was suspended on April 2 due to
two pipeline leakages. (TNA)
Thailand, Laos to tighten
border security
More, and more vigilant, army and police
Thailand and Laos agreed last Monday to increase border security by
enhancing the numbers and vigilance of both military personnel and
border police, with a view to stemming the flow of illicit drugs and the
trade in endangered species. Despite this intention, the two sides did
not endorse encroachment by military personnel or police forces of
either side.
The move was announced after the 16th Joint Border Committee meeting,
which took place as part of the Greater Mekong Sub-region leaders’
summit, by Thai Prime Minister and Defence Minister Samak Sundaravej,
who presided over the meeting together with Lao Defence Minister Lt Gen
Duangchay Phichit. Also in attendance at the talks were Thailand’s
Military Supreme Commander and secretary-general of the National
Security Council, together with senior officials of other relevant
agencies.
In addition to the above, both sides agreed to regulate border
activities to facilitate tourists wishing to cross the border, and to
resolve problems of dual citizenship.
In response to the question of 7,800 Hmong immigrants living in refugee
camps in Thailand, Prime Minister Samak said the government was ready to
repatriate the people, provided they volunteered. Lao Defence Minister
Duangchay said Laos was prepared to receive them after proper procedural
verification that they were genuinely Lao nationals. However, there may
be problems with the UN’s Refugee committee over this issue. (TNA)
Northern Meteorological Department warns of more storms during April
Depression from China covering north and north east
CMM Reporters
In a recent announcement, the Northern Metrological Department
issued warnings of more summer storms to come. The warning stated that
depressions are sweeping in from China over the north and the northeast,
resulting in cloudy skies and light rain in 60 % of affected areas.
Parts of the north are experiencing hot weather and extreme humidity
which may result in summer storms during April bringing rain, heavy
winds and hailstones. Buildings and crops may be damaged as a result.
Residents and farmers in the north are asked to secure their homes and
store all items that may be carried off by high winds. Also recommended
is the removal of branches from trees located near power cables, the
protection of fruit trees against damage from high winds and the
tightening of up billboards. To protect against lightening strikes
during storms, it is suggested that metal jewelry should not be worn,
mobile phones should not be used in the open, and stand-alone buildings
or trees should not be used as shelter.
The public is asked to take care and can call 053 277 919, 053 922 365
and 053 281 271 or go to http://www.cmmet. tmd.go.th/ for 24 hour
weather updates. The main site is in Thai; the weather forecast page is
in English.
Drought in Chiang Rai province
intensifies as Mekong waters recede
68,000 rai of agricultural land now affected
The drought in Thailand’s northernmost province of Chiang Rai is
reaching crisis point as the Mekong River waters continue to recede, and
is severely impacting boat tour operations on the river. Songchai
Suksomjai has reported that Mekong tour operators in Chiang Rai’s
Chiangsan district are concerned that the water transport business is
being severely affected by the river’s receding waters.
Tour operators have attempted to counter the problem by reducing the
number of passengers in order to cut each boat’s load from 35-40 persons
per trip to 20-25, giving the craft a shallower draft which enables it
to cruise in shallower waters. However, fewer paying passengers at a
time when fuel prices are rising means that the tour companies are
losing profit. As a result, they are asking for government aid in
cutting gasoline prices in order to reduce their costs.
In a related development, the Chiang Rai drought has gradually expanded
so that it now affects almost 314,000 families in 18 districts.
Residents and farmers are now being hard hit by water shortages and
drought affecting their crops. More than 68,000 rai of agricultural land
has been damaged by the drought, causing the provincial authorities to
declare all 18 districts of Chiang Rai as a drought-ravaged area.
(TNA)
British man dies after night out with friends
Illness combined with excess alcohol may have caused death
Saksit Meesubkwang
A British man was found dead by police on March 31 in a room at a
recently constructed but unoccupied guesthouse in Muang district. Mark
Elliott, 34, and his girlfriend Claire Duire, 24, had arrived in
Thailand on March 19 with the intention of touring the Kingdom during
their vacation. On their arrival in Chiang Mai, they had rented a room
at a guesthouse in the Wat Pra Singh area. On the evening of March 30,
they had visited the Night Market, after which Elliot had arranged to
meet some of his friends at a bar. Later, the group had been joined by
Duire.
Claire Durie speaking to police after her
partner’s death.
After continuing to drink until the early hours of the morning, the
couple had attempted to find their way back to their guesthouse, but had
lost their way. A security guard at a nearby newly constructed building,
seeing that Elliot was too drunk to walk, had suggested that they spent
the night in one of the finished rooms, and asked a man at the scene to
help him assist the couple to the room. The following day, at 1 pm,
Duire had woken up, only to find Elliot dead beside her on the floor.
Police were called, together with a doctor from the nearby Maharaj
hospital, who estimated that Elliot’s death had occurred some 5 hours
previously. Later, Diure told police that Elliot had suffered since
childhood from an illness which required regular medication, and had,
since their arrival in Chiang Mai, already visited Chiang Mai Ram
hospital once. A doctor has since confirmed that Elliot’s heavy drinking
on the last night of his life could have caused a relapse resulting in
terminal shock.
Thai Airways flight to Mae Hong Son delayed at both ends
Storms, high winds and smoke from wildfires
wrecks schedule
Khajohn Boonpath
A Thai airlines flight from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son carrying
60 passengers, half of whom were foreign tourists, was recently grounded
at its destination for more than two hours due to poor weather
conditions in Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. On March 30, TG 194, due to
depart from CNX at 10:10 am, according to the airline’s recently reduced
schedule, had already been delayed for nearly three hours because of
strong winds and smoke from wildfires west of the city, which had caused
visibility on the runway to drop to around 1,000 metres. After landing
late at Mae Hong Son, heavy rain and more smoke from wildfires prevented
its return to Chiang Mai for almost three hours. By the time the return
flight had landed, visibility at CNX had improved to around 3,000
metres, still less than normal, but adequate for a safe landing.
To take account of fluctuating weather conditions and reduced demand,
Thai Airways had already reduced the number of daily flights from Chiang
Mai to Mae Hong Son from three to two, as reported in this newspaper’s
March 18 issue, together with the new timetable.
Thaksin begins merit-making
tour of northern Thailand
“No politics, just a social contribution”
On Thursday, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Thursday began
what he called a “merit-making” tour to his key rural stronghold,
Northern Thailand, but refused to make any comment on politics. It was
Thaksin’s first trip outside Bangkok since the end of his self-imposed
exile in Britain after he was toppled in a military coup in September
2006. Speaking before boarding a Thai Airways International
Bangkok-Chiang Rai flight, he said that he wanted to visit the region
only to perform Buddhist merit-making ceremonies, and would continue on
to Cambodia during April 5-6 to play golf with Cambodian Prime Minister
Hun Sen. “The Cambodian premier invited me as an acquaintance. He was
afraid that I might be lonely after losing my job,” he joked, adding
that he would return in order to welcome and assist the owner of a major
foreign steel company who has shown interest in investing in Thailand.
The ex-premier avoided making any comments on politics, saying only that
he wanted to make a social contribution to the country. (TNA)
Saraphi district lung cancer sickness and death highest in Thailand
CMU research indicated Radon gas,
smoke dust and toxic fumes as cause
Saksit Meesubkwang
The results of a research project carried out by the Faculty of
Medical Science at Chiang Mai University have shown that residents in
Saraphi district have the highest number of lung cancer deaths and
sickness in the whole country. Taking a figure of 100,000, 09% were
suffering from the disease, and 04% had died from it, figures which are
5 times higher then in the rest of Thailand. The location and topography
of the area makes it vulnerable to the release from under the ground of
the gas Radon, a known carcinogen; smoke from burning, toxic fumes and
minuscule dust particles are exacerbating the problem. Solutions include
the raising of properties to improve ventilation, the repair of any
cracks in walls in an effort to prevent penetration of the gas, and the
planting of numerous trees which will help to absorb the gas and dust.
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