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Electric vehicle transport
at CMU is clean, green and safe
Aim is also to raise environmental awareness
Saksit Meesubkwang
Public transport in the education year 2008 around Chiang Mai
University’s extensive campus will be by electric vehicles; a clean, green,
efficient, safe and economical solution in full accord with current
environmental policy, according to the deputy president of CMU’s Physical
and Environmental Management System, Dr. Ekachai Sang-In.
The system should help to reduce car usage on the campus, with its attendant
parking, traffic management, environmental and accident problems, and should
also raise environmental awareness amongst students, staff and visitors. CMU
has 32 electric vehicles in service, which can run for a distance of 8 km
without recharging. A 7 day non-stop service is provided, running from 7 am
until 9 pm, with 450 scheduled journeys on weekdays and 230 on weekends.
Paintings by Maesa Camp elephants presented to China
Sporting subjects, Chinese history and the Great Wall
Members of the Thai-Chinese Association smile
for a souvenir shot.
Saksit Meesubkwang
A recent visit to China by the President of the Thailand Chinese
Association, Korn Thappalangsi, and the assistant MD of Maesa Elephant Camp,
Peechaya Kulmapijit, was undertaken in order to cement relationships between
the Thai-Chinese lineage and China itself, and to congratulate China for
becoming host of the Olympic Games.
During the visit, paintings of various sporting subjects, including
weightlifting, swimming and archery, by the elephants at Maesa Camp were
presented to the Chinese authorities. Also presented were elephant paintings
of notable occasions in Chinese history and of the Great Wall of China. All
of the paintings will be exhibited on the opening day of the 2008 Olympic
Games in Beijing.
Peechaya stated that the presentation the paintings was a way to cement
relationships between the “brother and sister” countries, and mentioned that
China and Thailand have historically maintained a long relationship. China
has consulates or embassies in large towns throughout Thailand, and there
are Thai-Chinese peoples throughout the Kingdom; bringing positive results
for both investments and business.
Annual Charity Mae Jo-Sansai
“Walk-Run” attracts 4000 competitors
“Hard work never killed anybody”
Friday June 6 was this year’s date for the annual Mae Jo
to Sansai Walk-Run Traditional Project, aimed at raising funds for the Prof.
Dr. Wipat Bunsri Wangsai Foundation, which awards scholarships to deserving
students at Mae Jo University.
Organised by the Foundation together with Mae Jo University and its Alumni
Association, this year’s run attracted over 4,000 participants, made up from
new students of the university and Alumni members from all over Thailand.
Bangkhen Gate was the starting point; the Sansai district office was the
destination, at which, as well as along the route, local Sansai residents
had generously provided much-needed food and drink for the runners and
walkers! After they had all arrived, Uthai Luechai, the Sansai district
chief, gave a speech of welcome and thanks for their participation in an
activity which annually created warmth and a sense of unity in both the Mae
Jo and Sansai communities.
The Run-Walk was founded at the time of Prof. Dr. Wipat’s directorship of
the Mae Jo Agricultural College, and was intended as a “trial” for new
students because, according to Wipat, “agriculturists should be healthy and
respond to the motto - hard work never killed anybody!” The winner of the
Public Men’s Trophy was Poolsawat Leewayodsingkhon, with a time of 39.51
minutes; the Public Women’s Trophy was won by Urai Suteerana, whose time was
43.30 minutes. Paibun Leewayodsingkhon won the New Students’ Men’s Trophy
with a time of 39.51 minutes; the New Students’ Women’s Trophy was taken by
Lemuoey Laocha, whose time was 48.44 minutes. In the Walking section, the
male winner was Dr. Amnuay Yotsuk with 36 minutes, and the female winner as
Suwada Niyomkul with a time of 36.50 minutes.
99 gamblers arrested during
first five days of Euro 2008
Surge in electricity consumption due to live broadcasting
According to police in Bangkok, 100 gamblers were arrested during the first
five days of Euro 2008. The live broadcasting of the games apparently caused
a surge in electricity consumption, but posts no threat to the power supply,
according to officials.
Royal Thai Police deputy spokesman, Pol. Maj-Gen. Ruengsak Charit-ake,
reported the nationwide statistics on football gambling suppression from
June 7-11, saying that eight bookmakers, 99 gamblers and three betting
collectors were arrested, with betting sheets valued at 87,870 baht and
around 16,000 baht in cash. In addition, he urged the Crime Suppression
Department and the Information and Communication Technology Ministry’s
“cyber inspector” to work together to keep a close watch on online gambling
and to introduce measures leading to its prevention at this time.
Apichart Diloksophon, deputy governor of systems control for the Electricity
Generating Authority of Thailand, said electricity usage had increased by
0.6 million units per day since Euro 2008 started on June 7, but assured
consumers that the increased demand would not overload the system as demand
is low late at night when the Euro matches are broadcast. EGAT will increase
its production throughout the rest of the month to cope with the increase,
which has been shown to be dependent on the popularity of competing teams.
During the opening match between Switzerland and the Czech Republic,
electricity consumption rose by 200 megawatts and peaked during the match
between Holland and Italy, increasing by 300 megawatts. (TNA)
Waree Chiang Mai School
students tops at sports!
University entrance and swimming medals
At the end of last month, a selection procedure took place at Chiang Mai
University Camp involving secondary school class 5 students from 17 school
zones in the north of Thailand who wished to study for a Batchelor’s Degree
at CMU faculties, including Engineering and Communication, Science,
Agriculture and Education.
As well as considering students’ academic achievements at their present
schools, their performances at a special “Youthful Preservation of Energy
for the Look Chang, 3rd generation” event at the CMU Camp involving sporting
and other events was also taken into consideration.
Amongst the students selected was Cholthicha Pechranasangkul, from Waree
Chiang Mai School’s class 6 a, who received two gold medals in activities,
and will go on to study for her Batchelor’s Degree at CMU’s Faculty of
Communications.
Waree School students also scored many successes at another event, the 2nd
Swimming Games held at the end of May by the Phrae Administrative
Organisation, winning 22 medals and gaining the Best Athlete trophy.
Arrest warrant for top government official revoked on appeal
Defamation charge denied
The Ayudhya Appeal Court on Thursday revoked an arrest warrant issued
for Sunai Manomai-udom, secretary-general of the Office for Prevention
and Suppression of Corruption by Government Officials, which had earlier
been issued against Sunai for his failure to acknowledge a defamation
charge filed by ex PM Thaksin’s lawyers. The charge had been approved by
the Lower Court.
Sunai had been accused of defaming the ex-premier whilst holding the top
post at the Department of Special Investigation. Previously, his lawyer
had sought a Lower Court order to withdraw the arrest warrant, but had
failed. The subsequent petition to the Appeals Court was brought on the
grounds that Sunai, as a responsible citizen, had neither reason nor
intent to leave the country.
Meanwhile, Sunai pledged his innocence and vowed to continue fighting
against what he called an “illegitimate action” to the end. At a press
conference held later Thursday afternoon to clarify the allegations, he
stated that he did not report to the police immediately after the arrest
warrant was received because he believed that the warrant was improperly
issued. (TNA)
Thailand - land of investment
Conference sets out investment opportunities in North
The conference was hosted by Satit
Chanjavanakul (left)
pictured with local Chiang Mai dignitaries.
Last Thursday, over 500 local people, Thai and foreigners alike,
attended a conference organised by the Thailand Board of Investment, and
held at the Shangri-La Hotel. Entitled ‘Thailand Investment Year 2008 -
2009, the conference was simultaneously translated into English and
Japanese for those who could not speak Thai. Delegates included
representatives from almost all the Consular offices in Chiang Mai,
local business entrepreneurs, and members of the public with an interest
in the future of Chiang Mai and Thailand as a whole.
Satit Chanjavanakul, the secretary general of the Thailand Board of
Investment, performed the opening ceremony and gave a speech of welcome,
followed by a brief outline of available investment opportunities in
Thailand presented by Sudjit Inthaiwong. Under the heading of ‘Roadmap
to Investment Year’, Dr. Pornamatee Vimolsin, a senior advisor to the
Policy and Planning of National Economic and Social Development Board
gave a briefing on ‘Infrastructure development of the GMIS group and
investment in the Northern Region’. This was followed by ‘Roadmap to
Green Factory’, given by Rachada Singalavanija, the director general of
the Department of Industrial Work. There were also talks on ‘Workers’
readiness in the Northern Region’ and ‘Investment opportunities in the
Northern Region from the private sector perspective’.
Fashion show and Ballet
launch watch display
Corum Basel timepieces at Robinsons
The Corum “Classic Tourbillon Billionaire”.
Following their successful preview in Bangkok, Corum Basel’s new range
of watches launched at the recent Baselworld international watch and
jewelry trade fair was on display at Robinsons Airport Plaza until June
11. Dr. Chao Duangduan na Chiengmai was the guest of honour at the
launch event on May 30, which featured a fashion show with celebrity
models including Mom Luang Preeyapun, the director of the Chiang Mai
Ballet Academy. During the launch, over 80 VIP guests were treated to a
dazzling ballet performance by students of the Academy. Watches featured
in the display include Corum’s Classic Tourbillon Billionaire, priced at
40,060,000 baht and their Golden Tourbillon Panoramique, slightly more
affordable at 6,300,000 baht!
Garlic growers’ protest forces Mae Hong Son city to virtual standstill
Panic buying of fuel as tankers blocked
Kajohn Boonpath
Garlic growers in Mae Hong Son caused chaos on the roads and
around the town hall last week as they protested in a bid to force the
government to pay a fair price as previously agreed for their produce. A
group of protestors blockaded the entrance to the town hall, forcing
employees to climb over walls to get to work, whilst another group
blocked the main access road to the city, causing traffic chaos and
impeding the delivery from Chiang Mai province of essentials including
foodstuffs and fuel. Threats were made to block Mae Hong Son’s airport
should the growers’ demands not be met. In spite of a strong police
presence, the leader of the protestors, Niran Chankaen, stated that the
protests would continue indefinitely.
Rumours of a shortage of fuel due to protestors’ blocking tanker trucks
from entering the city resulted in a rush on gas stations by concerned
motorists, causing reserve stocks of fuel to drop by more than 5,000
litres in 3 hours. The reserve stockpile of 10,000 litres was estimated
to be able to last for 1 day, causing more panic buying and stockpiling
by motorists. Two tankers were sent from Mae Hong Son to Chiang Mai for
emergency supplies; these were also blocked on their return.
As a result of the protestors’ actions, the local PPP Member of
Parliament, Adul Wanchaitanawong, has assured the growers that the
government will operate according to their demands, and that the matter
will be settled shortly.
Former minister reports to police to acknowledge charges
Accusations of lese-majeste based on speech given last August
Jakrapob Penkair, the former minister attached to the Prime Minister’s
office who was recently accused of lese-majeste, reported last week to
the Crime Suppression Division in order to acknowledge the charge
against him. Jakrapob met with the chief of the CSD, Pol. Lt.-Gen.
Somyot Pumpunmung, and insisted on his innocence, saying that the
accusation was the result of political motivation, and vowing to fight
the case in court to prove his innocence. He also said he had prepared
documents to present to police in his defence, including a translation
of his speech given last August.
Jakrapob is accused of challenging the high institution in a speech he
gave at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand in August last year
about the 2006 coup, which toppled the then-premier Thaksin Shinawatra
and brought in a military government. Under heavy political pressure,
Jakrapob last month announced his resignation, saying that he wanted to
relieve pressure on the ruling People Power Party and its Prime Minister
Samak Sundaravej.
Gen. Somyot stated that Jakrapob was released after acknowledging the
charges against him. The courts have not yet issued an arrest warrant
against the former minister, who has now volunteered his surrender
himself. (TNA)
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