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Chiang Mai floods
Two boys die in Fang flash floods, 4 in Mae Taeng, one still missing
The water levels rise to flood
levels as the marker next to Nawarat Bridge
showed at noon, September 28, 2011.
Chiang Mai Mail online reporters
Heavy overnight rains in Chiang Mai have seen the river
level rise to critical flood levels and many areas along the river are
inundated. San Sai and San Kamphaeng are reported to be under water and
desperate business owners along the river continue to sandbag. One owner,
when questioned, said, he wasn’t sure if the river hit 4.5 m if his place of
business would flood but has walled off the doors and sandbagged the front
in case of flooding.
Heavy rains this year have inundated the soil causing
flash floods and landslides in Chiang Mai where 2 boys were swept away in
Fang on September 23 and a family of five went missing on September 28,
2011. Four of the missing have been found dead and searchers continue to
look for the fifth missing family member although heavy rains hamper the
search.
City employees and members of
the public work frantically to repair the breach in the wall along the river
near Mahidol Road.
Chiang Mai Governor Panadda Diskul and officials
inspected the damage and directed help to victims of the forest runoff and
mudslides in Ban Piang Kok and Pong Nam Ron in Fang district which occurred
on the night of Friday, September 23, 2011 and killed two boys, a two year
old and an 8 month old baby boy. More than 30 houses were destroyed in the
flash flood and over 100 households have been affected.
On September 28, flash floods swept through Mae Taeng’s
Mueang Kai subdistrict sweeping away houses, roads and crops. 5 people were
swept away in the deluge, and although searchers have found 4 bodies of
missing family members, the search continues for the remaining missing
person.
Train services to Bangkok have been halted until further
notice as the train tracks are inundated in several areas.
Schools along the river have sent their students home and
traffic along the river remains backed up. Water crested over the wall along
the river near the Dukes and has flooded gardens of businesses located along
the river. Area businesses are sandbagging and sandbagging stations have
been set up staffed by government staff, soldiers, and members of the
public. One such station is located on the Old Chiang Mai- Lamphun Road.
Water rises nearly up to the
level of Nawarat Bridge at noon, on September 28, 2011. The river roads are
clogged with heavy traffic.
The river road is heavily backed up from traffic out to
Mahidol Road, police directing traffic along the bridge at Mahidol
encouraged drivers to avoid the areas.
San Sai and San Kamphaeng are reported to be flooded and
the Municipality has set up a tent in front of the Municipal building where
flood warnings are being issued and people can go to apply for flood aid.
The Thai Meteorological Department warns of scattered
heavy rains for the rest of the week as tropical depression “Haitang”
weakens over Laos and moves into Northeastern Thailand. Authorities warn of
flash floods along rivers and hillsides and warn residents to beware of
landslides.
River levels can be checked here:
http://hydro-1.com/index.php?id=61&rivercode=0602
Soldiers join members of the
public in filling sandbags to stem the rising water at a sandbagging station
on the Old Chiang Mai Lamphun Road.
Water breaches the walls and
spills into the road along the river between the Iron Bridge and Nawarat
Bridge on the Chiang Mai – Lamphun Road.
City officials monitor the
situation and post printed updates on
the river map near Nawarat Bridge.
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Anti-corruption campaign from Chamber of Commerce
Chiang Mai Governor Panadda
Diskul joins with Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce members, members of the
Royal Thai Police, government officials and members of the public in
pledging to fight corruption. (Photo courtesy of the Chiang Mai Chamber of
Commerce)
By Shana Kongmun
The Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce joined Chambers
nationwide in staging an anti-corruption rally on Sunday morning, September
25, 2011. Chiang Mai Governor ML Panadda Diskul joined the President of the
Chamber of Commerce and Chamber members at the rally where he spoke on the
need for transparency and called for members of the Chamber, business
people, government officials and members of the public to help combat
corruption and pledge to respect the laws and regulations of society, to act
with honesty and integrity, to work to create an ethical society, to work
against all forms of corruption and to lead the country to sustainable
prosperity.
Thailand’s ranking in Transparency International’s
Corruption Perceptions Index improved from a previous ranking of 84 to the
current 78 but the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce pointed out that it was
still ranked equally with countries such as Colombia, Peru, the People’s
Republic of China, Serbia, Lesotho, and Greece and noted the need for
improvement.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was joined by
opposition leader Democrat Abhisit Vejajiva at a rally held at the same time
in Lumpini Park in Bangkok. Participants observed a minute of silence to pay
their respects to Dusit Nonthanakorn, the former President of the Thai
Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand, who led a group of
businesses to announce their intention to fight corruption, who passed away
on September 6, 2011.
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Peace walk to commemorate Saffron Revolution
Buddhist monks led the
candlelit vigil as it proceeded from 3
Kings Monument to Tha Pae Gate.
The Burma Free Library joined together with other Burmese
groups to coordinate a Peace Walk on Tuesday, September 28, to call for
peace in Burma and to commemorate the Saffron uprising that saw Burmese
Buddhist monks take to the streets to protest the regime in 2007. The
protests began in August of 2007 and culminated with a bloody crackdown
against the movement that saw Buddhist monks at the forefront. While the
official death toll is listed as 13 most news sources agree that the number
was considerably higher.
Students, activists and monks joined the candlelit vigil
that started from 3 Kings Monument and proceeded to Tha Pae Gate led by
chanting Buddhist monks. Many protestors wore masks with the faces of the
disappeared and dead, while others carried banners and placards calling for
peace and freedom in Burma.
The Burma Free Library helped
to coordinate the Peace Walk with
local Burmese activists.
People of all nations joined
in the Walk calling for peace and freedom in Burma.
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Donations for flood victims
The Chiang Mai Municipality is accepting donations of
food, goods, clothes and other necessary items at the Municipal Building for
distribution to victims of the recent flooding. Canned food, drinking water,
over the counter medicine for fever and headache, non-perishable food items
and more are welcome. For more information call 053-259148.
UNESCO Creative City application moves forward
On the 23rd of September,
H.E. Mrs. Sukumol Kunplome, the Minister of Culture chaired the first
meeting of the UNESCO Creative City Application Project Team and
stakeholders at the Empress Hotel in Chiang Mai. The meeting was attended by
Chiang Mai Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn and members of the Chiang Mai
Creative City Committee where the application was discussed.
Elephant released into Elephant Sanctuary
The lastest elephant has been released to live a more natural life at the
Elephant Sanctuary near Lampang. The event was sponsored by Robinson
Department Store, Arrow and Budget Cars.
The latest elephant news only confirms the need for
further sanctuary after a bull elephant working in a camp in Phuket went on
a rampage against another elephant in musthe and the legs of a tourist
riding the elephant were broken. Another elephant was severely injured when
he stepped on a landmine logging in Myanmar.
Celebrities flew in from Bangkok to join Sanctuary
volunteers and workers in witnessing the release. (Photo courtesy of
CityNow!)
A few more quirkies from around Chiang Mai
Martin couldn’t help but slow
down to take a photo of this banner offering an interesting new service in
Chiang Mai!
Every once in a while we see a sign or a sight that makes us smile, if
you see something that makes you smile don’t hesitate to pull out your
camera or even camera phone and snap a pic. Send it to
editor@chiangmai-mail.com and be sure to let us know where you saw it.
I must admit, I do love to eat
outdoors, so can understand
the gist of this sign for an outdoor restaurant.
Princess Maja makes merit in Chiang Mai
Lays wreath for dogs killed in dog meat trade
One of the English speaking
monks of Wat Rampoeng praised Princess Maja and Care for Dogs for their work
in helping dogs, adding that the Lord Buddha not only restricted the eating
of dog, but also said, “When a man has pity on all living creatures then
only is he noble.”
By Shana Kongmun
Princess Maja von Hohenzollern of Germany visited Chiang
Mai sponsoring a 7 day project for sterilizations of dogs. As part of this
visit, she visited Wat Rampoeng where she laid a wreath in memory of the
many dogs that have lost their lives to the inhumane dog meat trade and
participated in a merit making ceremony with the monks at the temple.
Princess Maja von
Hohenzollern visited the Care for Dogs facility earlier in the day as part
of a 7 day sponsored program for the sterilization of dogs. (Photo courtesy
of CityNow!)
Princess Maja is both a Buddhist and vegetarian and, as
the owner of 11 rescued dogs herself, an avid opponent of cruelty to
animals. As she pointed out, the recent dog rescue showed the inhumane way
the dogs are treated and the utter cruelty of their torturous deaths.
As the English speaking monk pointed out during his
sermon, the Buddha said that we should not kill, that we should not engage
in cruelty. He noted that the Lord Buddha said that dog is one of the
forbidden animals to eat. “They have a soul and intelligence,” he said,
adding that “we must respect their life as we are taught by Buddhism to care
for all living creatures.”
Karin Hawelka of Care For Dogs
joined Princess Maja, helping to organize the merit making and wreath laying
ceremony at Wat Rampoeng.
Care for Dogs founder Karin Hawelka was on hand to add
that the arrest of the two men in Nakhon Phanom was just the tip of the
iceberg, over 360,000 dogs from Thailand are estimated to be killed in the
dog meat trade yearly. An estimated 1,000 dogs are smuggled over the border
nightly, starved, mistreated, and killed in an inhumane way.
A rally in support of stronger new legislation ending the
dog meat trade as well as a call for enforcement of current laws was held on
September 4 in Bangkok. More than 1,000 people showed up for the rally.
Concerned citizens can sign the petition calling for stronger legislation
here: http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/dogmeattrade.
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Chiang Mai Municipality announces registration for Yi Peng contests.
Floating Krathong – registration runs until October 10 at
the Education Department. The drawing is on October 11 at 10.00 a.m. at the
Education Department.
Little Krathong Mahachart Chadok – the registration runs
until October 10 at the Education Department. The drawing is on October 11
at 1.30 p.m. at the Education Department.
Floating Banana leave Krathong – the registration runs
until October 31 at the Education Department. The drawing is on November 1
at 10.00 a.m. at the Education Department.
Singing – the registration runs until November 2 at the Municipal Building.
The drawing is on November 3 at 10.00 a.m. at the Municipal Building,
meeting room number 3.
Sapao Krathong – registration runs until November 2 at
the Education Department. The drawing is on November 3 at 1.30 p.m. at the
Education Department.
Big Krathong – registration runs until November 3 at the
Municipal Building. The drawing is on November 4 at 1.30 p.m. at Municipal
Building, meeting room number 3.
Little Yi Peng kids – registration is between October 3 –
10 at Wat Sri Don Chai School.
Further information at the Chiang Mai Municipality, 053-259-141 – 3.
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Creative SME D-Day at CMU Convention Center
Representatives from the four
provinces were joined by Creative Lanna members, and Chamber of Commerce
members in opening the Creative Lanna SME D-Day.
Chiang Mai Mail Online Reporters
The Creative SME D-Day was held Saturday, September 17,
2011 at the Chiang Mai University Convention Center to focus on the creative
industries from the four Northern provinces of Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son,
Lamphun and Lampang.
Some of the award winning
products are on display in the front hall.
Representatives from all four provinces attended the
event which highlighted the Creative Lanna award winners, booths from
universities, small businesses and creative technologies.
The Northern Chamber of Commerce and the Faculty of Arts,
Media and Technology of Chiang Mai University sponsored the event. In the
afternoon Tan Ichitan of Oishi spoke on his company’s success and his ideas
on the development of successful business models in the Creative Economy and
how to improve products in the Lanna Creative Economy methodology.
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Deputy Mayor visits local communities
Deputy Mayor Sunthorn Yamsiri
visited local communities around Chiang Mai on Thursday, September 15 to
listen to locals’ suggestions, complaints and concerns. Of major concern to
most of the residents were the condition of the roads and flooding issues.
Google comes to Chiang Mai
Two Google Street View cars
after a day of photographing city streets.
(Photo by Ron Lister).
Chiang Mai Mail online reporters
Google street view cars have been spotted cruising the
streets of Chiang Mai in the past week, photographing the city in a bid by
internet giant Google and the Tourism Authority of Thailand to expand
coverage of Google Street View to Thailand. This follows their opening their
first office in Thailand, based in Bangkok.
It is expected it will take the Google Street View team
2-3 years to complete the task of surveying the country, which, Google’s new
country manager Ariya Panomyong said that proportionally, no other country
sends as my visitors to Google Street View maps as does Thailand.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has invited Thai
residents to send in their favorite places to be surveyed by the Google
team. Google Street View has caused some controversy over privacy issues.
However, faces and license plates are blurred out according to their privacy
policy and further blurring or removal will be available upon request.
Additionally, on September 24, Google will be holding a
Google DevFest in Chiang Mai at Chiang Mai University. Registration for this
free event is required but the all day seminar will allow developers to
learn of the latest developments in Maps, Apps, Android, Cloud, Chrome and
others. Web, mobile, and enterprise developers encouraged to attend.
Registration can be found here:
http://code.google.com/events/devfests/2011/seasia.html#chiangmai
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More flash flood warnings
The National Disaster Warning Centre has issued a warning
for flash floods that could possibly be triggered by further torrential
rains on Tuesday, September 13, 2011. Chiang Mai was included in the list
with other Northern and Central provinces like Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai,
Phayao, Nan, Lampang, Lamphun, Uttaradit, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai,
Phitsanulok, Phichit and Phetchabun.
Authorities have issued warnings to
residents living along foothills to watch out for landslides as well as
flash flood warnings for those living near waterways. Thunder showers are
forecast for the rest of the week with some chance of clearing predicted by
Saturday.
Quirky pics from around Chiang Mai
Reader Ron snapped this photo
here in Chiang Mai and I must say, a good steak adds happiness to my life!
Every once in a while we see a sign or a sight that makes
us smile, if you see something that makes you smile don’t hesitate to pull
out your camera or even camera phone and snap a pic. Send it to
editor@chiangmai-mail.com and be sure to let us know where you saw it.
Murray saw this sign in a
Pattaya condo elevator and couldn’t resist taking a photo.
billion baht worth of drugs seized in Chiang Rai
Chiang Mai Mail online reporters
The Pha Muang Task Force and local officials seized 1
billion baht worth of yaba, ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) and heroin from
a pickup truck that was used by two suspects who escaped from the police on
Wednesday, September 7, 2011. The Task Force, acting on a tipoff, set up a
road block in Mae Fah Luang in Chiang Rai. The driver of the pickup sped
through the checkpoint and soldiers gave chase. They found the abandoned
pickup truck with over 2.4 million methamphetamine pills, 95 kilograms of ya
Ice and 3.4 kilograms of heroin. The police and army have the name of the
owner of the vehicle and hope to track down the traffickers from the
registration.
In Chiang Mai’s Chiang Dao District a
man was shot dead by police after he resisted arrest at the Forestry
Research Center. Police found 200,000 yaba pills on the body of the Muser
hilltribe man. Two other suspects that were with the man at the time of the
shooting escaped.
In Lamphun, a Lisu man was arrested by
police in a sting operation in Ban Thi District. The Provincial Police
Region 5 reported that he had 200,000 yaba pills on him at the time.
Researchers from the Office of the
Narcotics Control Board have found that Ya Ice or crystal methamphetamine
has grown in popularity with young people who believe it is safer to use
than yaba or methamphetamine.
Naramon Chuangrungsi, Director of the
Board’s Narcotics Control Strategy Bureau noted that 90% of the ya ice found
in Thailandcomes across the Myanmar border through Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai
and Mae Hong Son.
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U.K. Embassy looking for retired British nationals to complete survey
Retired British Nationals in Thailand: the British
Embassy wants to hear your views.
The British Embassy Bangkok has
recently launched a survey to learn more about the issues affecting retired
British nationals living in Thailand. The anonymous survey can be completed
online at ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk or paper copies are available from the
British Embassy Bangkok, or the British Consulate in Chiang Mai. The survey
runs from 9 September to 2 October 2011.
The results from the survey will be
used by the Embassy to better understand the needs of retired British
nationals in Thailand, to identify ways to improve consular services, to
help people prepare for moving to Thailand, and to try and improve awareness
of services provided by local organisations throughout Thailand.
The Embassy expects to publish a
summary of the analysis of the survey’s results on the Embassy website in
late October.
More information about the services
provided by the British Embassy in Bangkok can be found at
ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk and information about retiring in Thailand can be
found at
http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-British-nationals/living-in-thailand/what-happens-when-you-retire
Approximately 50,000 British people are
resident in Thailand or spend much of the year here. Many of these people
have retired to Thailand. Of the 347 deaths reported to the Embassy in the
last year, over 75% were residents, and after natural causes, the most
frequent cause of death in Thailand was road traffic accidents. Other causes
of death included drowning, falls from balconies and suicide.
Residents make up a large proportion of
the serious hospitalisation cases, many without adequate medical insurance.
In 2010, a total of 217 hospitalisation cases were reported to the British
Embassy.
This survey is part of an Embassy
project aimed at helping them to better understand the issues affecting
retired British nationals living in Thailand which will help to improve
service and to signpost British nationals to help available locally.
www. ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk or 02 305
8333 for the Embassy. The U.K. Honorary Consulate is located at 198
Bumrungraj Road. 053-263-015.
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Flash floods kill one in Uttaradit
Ten reported missing
One villager was reported dead, at
least ten were injured, and ten others are missing after their village was
hit by early morning forest-runoff and a landslide in this northern Thai
province.
The Uttaradit provincial disaster
service office urgently mobilised rescue teams and military to reach Nam Pai
sub-district in Nam Pad district after being alerted that the forest-runoff
and landslide cut off some 300 households from the outside world at around
2am.
Initial reports said one person died in
the incident but the victim has not yet been identified. Dozens are injured
while ten others are still missing.
Surachai Thatchakawin of the disaster
response office said the forest-runoff hit the three villages quickly while
the villagers were sleeping. No early warning had been issued. One-storey
houses were immediately swept away by torrential water and three roads
leading to the villages were heavily damaged.
He said that more than 300 households
were left without electricity. The village headman has contacted authorities
via cellphone, the only available communication channel.
Urgent rescue operations are under way
with portable steel bridge units being brought in to reach the stranded
villagers, the official said.
The Department of Meteorological on
Friday warned of abundant rain over upper Thailand and isolated heavy to
very heavy rainfall in the Northeast and the East due to the moderate
monsoon Sept 9 to12.
Residents of at-risk areas along
foothills across the country should beware of flash floods, including Nakhon
Phanom, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Yasothon, Surin, Si Sa Ket, Amnat Charoen, Ubon
Ratchathani, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Chanthaburi and Trat. People in
lowlands and riversides in the Central and Eastern regions are urged to be
alert to the possibility of flooding during the period. (MCOT)
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Flood survey
President
of the Provincial Administration Boonlert Buranupakorn joined Chiang Mai
Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn, Deputy Mayor Chatree Chuamanocharn and city
officials on September 6, 2011 to survey the Ping River and check areas at
higher risk of flooding. The city has implemented pumping stations around
the city as well as cleared canals and the river to facilitate the faster
flow of water through the river in a bid to reduce flooding during the rainy
season.
5,000 baht compensation for flood victims
The Cabinet has agreed to compensate
flood victims at the rate of 5,000 THB per family while ordering related
ministers and MPs to pay a visit to affected areas as part of the
rehabilitation effort.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
announced that the Cabinet had approved the measure to assist people who had
been affected by floods for longer than seven days through a compensation of
5,000 THB per household. She assured that concerned ministers were
coordinating with provincial governors on distributing the money as soon as
possible.
As for the assistance for
agriculturalists, the premier said damages on their farmland would be
assessed within 90 days after the water receded. In certain areas where
damages are evident, the inspection process could be shortened to no more
than 60 days or even be completed by the end of this month.
Asked how she would prevent corruption
practices in the flood relief effort, Ms Yingluck replied that related
ministries and agencies as well as provincial administrations would join
hands in investigating the issue. Besides local MPs, she said several
ministers, especially the Ministers of Agriculture and Cooperatives and
Natural Resources and Environment, had also been assigned to visit
flood-affected residents and contribute to the rehabilitation effort. (NNT)
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Anti-drugs seminar held in Chiang Mai
The Chiang
Mai Municipality held a seminar on drug prevention for at-risk members of
the community, including youths, hill tribe members and drug users in Nong
Hoy on Sunday, September 4th, 2011. Drug use among disadvantaged and the
youth remains a continuing problem and the program was instituted to help
members of the community considered to be at risk and their families learn
more about the dangers of drug use and drug prevention in their communities.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease concerns in Chiang Mai
Schoolchildren at the Child
Learning Development Center in Nong Hoi get instruction in thorough hand
washing from Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn and city officials on Wednesday,
August 31, 2011.
After a recent announcement by Dr
Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, Deputy Director-General of the Disease
Control Department revealed that there have been more than 7000 cases and 2
deaths due to hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in 2011, the Chiang Mai
Municipality instituted checks and education on avoiding HFMD at Municipal
schools and learning centers.
The strain of HFMD that is currently in
Thailand is the enterovirus 71 (EV71) which has more severe symptoms than
the coxsackie virus that usually occurs. Nationwide a total of 8405 cases
and 2 deaths were reported between 1 Jan 2011 and 22 Aug 2011 with about 13
people per 100,000 becoming infected. Chaiyahum and Nakhon Ratchasima each
reported a death while Chiang Rai was the second highest rate in the country
with 31.3 reported cases per 100,000 people.
HFMD is a viral disease that usually
causes fever, sores in the mouth and a rash with blisters, It is moderately
contagious and usually affects children under 10 but any age can become
infected. Good hygiene, especially washing hands often and cleaning
surfaces, is the best way to avoid this virus.
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Chiang Mai Creative City signs agreement with TCDC
The
Thailand Creative and Design Center is a business that networks the design
community in Thailand, working to better improve design, and open pathways
of business opportunities to designers and the design community. As part of
the Chiang Mai Creative City movement, the CMCC committee signed a
cooperation agreement with TCDC at the Kantary Hills Hotel on Friday, August
30, 2011. Ekkachai Maha-aek of TCDC joined with Dr. Nat Vorayos of CMCC and
other members onstage after the signing.
Under the spotlight
Lee of Akha Ama Coffee
By Shana Kongmun
Tucked away in a little corner of the Santhitham area is a little coffee shop
called Akha Ama Coffee, and while you may not cast a second look in its
direction you would be wise to not only look, but stop, go in, have a cup of
delicious coffee and a chat with the very personable owner; a young man named
Lee Ayu Chuepa.
Lee is very knowledgeable about
coffee and is more than happy to explain to you the differences in coffees and
the terms coffee aficionados use when drinking coffee. Photo by Martin
Vanderklooster.
Akha Ama Coffee is a rare find in Chiang Mai, one of the
winners of the World Cup Testers competition, two years running. In fact, last
year, the first year Lee submitted the village’s coffee, they were one of 21 to
win out of over 2000 submissions. But it almost didn’t happen. The competition
requires a 350 Euro submission fee, which of course, a tiny little Akha mountain
village is unlikely to be able to raise, much less send off to Europe. Lee
negotiated with the committee and grasping the idea that if they wanted everyone
represented, including the small growers, they would need to consider how to
help. Committee members found friends who pitched in and paid the fee for the
villagers.
The gamble paid off for both the donors and the villagers
as Akha Ama coffee gained international renown. Robust with a good balance of
bitter and sour, the coffee is also very good as espresso as well as just a
regular cup of coffee. The prices are extremely reasonable considering the
effort these mountaintop villagers take to grow and harvest the coffee.
Akha Ama Coffee proprietor and all around go to man is a
young man named Lee, who hails from a small Akha village in the Mae Suai
District in Chiang Rai and who started his coffee journey in a rather unusual
way; first going to a temple school, then as the first person in his village to
go to university and finally doing social work for hilltribe children with a
charity called Child’s Dream Association which focuses on education for
underprivileged children.
But it was a return trip to his home village that made him
start wondering what he could do a bit closer to home. With only 32 households
in his tiny village, he knew that whatever he did could have an impact, so he
looked around to see what the options were. Villagers were already growing
coffee trees obtained from the Highland Research and Development Institute and
he realized that the high quality beans they were producing could help the
villagers out. The problem however, was that they had no processing abilities
and were forced to sell their beans at a low price to middlemen. So, Lee, as the
only English speaking person in his village as well, started studying various
processing methods from around the region and around the world.
He returned to his village and helped set up a small
processing plant so that the villagers could produce their own parchment coffee,
which is wet processed coffee and then dried with the dry parchment skin still
attached.
After being turned down by the SME Bank and commercial
banks for a loan because he couldn’t guarantee repayment he turned to private
donations to help obtain the equipment the village needed to start processing
their coffee beans. However, within 6 months, they were making enough to cover
their expenses so he has high hopes that as they sell more coffee, the villagers
will be able to add more equipment.
Drop in for a visit with this informative, personable and
knowledgeable young man and you will find out about coffee, Akha village life,
and may end up spending the afternoon chatting, like I did!
Akha Ama coffee is available at Rimping Supermarket, Kasem
Store and many smaller coffee shops around Chiang Mai. Lee is also offering
‘coffee journeys’ to interested parties; a visit to his village to meet the
farmers and see the coffee as it starts out from fruit on the tree, to processed
and finally the finished product. Interested people can contact Lee at
info@akhaama.com or
www.akhaama.com.
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QUIRKY PICS
Our reader Rhodie sent in this rather cryptic
message seen south of Hua Hin. Many think this sign would be very apt around
Chiang Mai as well, when the burning season kicks in!
Regular Ron sends in this one, using one of my
favorite words; stuff!
It is common to come across funny signs around Thailand
and Chiang Mai is no exception. One reader reported seeing a One Way Do Not
Enter sign and underneath it a shop had put an arrow to enter to come to
their store! Our readers are sending in their funny photos, engrish and more
so if you see something that tickles your funny bone, whip out the camera
phone and send it in!
editor@chiangmai-mail.com
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