Easier by Elephant
Big Steps at Wieng Kum Kam

WIENG KUM KAM, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 18 Dec 2002 – Wieng Kum Kam – King Mengrai’s buried city, just 5 km south of Chiangmai, is taking large steps forward into the mainstream of the Thai tourism world – elephant steps that is.

Commencing 1st of January 2003, visitors can take elephant back rides around the ruins and archaeological sites from the pick up point at Wat Kan Thom in the centre of the medieval city.

The tour meanders through the green lanes and excavated temples in the western half of the wieng (fortified city) before returning to the first complete temple built by Lan Na’s uniting king.

It Becomes Clearer if you dig a little

CHIANG MAI, Thailand – 03 October 2002 - Concerning the article “Don’t know much about history” (Bangkok Post 2nd October) and the comments by Prasat Sa-anwong, deputy director-general of the Curriculum and Instruction Development Department …

One of the key factors for the lack of students pursuing this subject at university level may be the attitude of the Fine Arts Department’s Archaeological Office. I have been told that here in Chiangmai, the government officials at Fine Arts refuse permission for History and Fine Arts undergraduates to assist with archaeological excavations – normally a compulsory activity for such students in western universities.

I have no understanding why such refusals of “free” manpower should be made, but could hazard a guess.

Published in Chiangmai City Life Magazine – October 2002

Re-uniting Lan Na – Part 3
CHIANG MAI, Thailand – 20 August 2002

During my lectures to Business Administration students at Chiang Mai University (CMU), I often give exercises in identifying trends and making predictions based on current affairs within the domestic business environments. In Chiang Mai, it is very easy to find examples from the tourism industry, and by each semester end, most students can demonstrate trend, problem analysis, and prediction skills. As this month’s introduction, here a few tasters to test your own skills…

Published in Chiangmai City Life Magazine – August 2002

Rebuilding Lan Na – Part 1
CHIANG MAI, Thailand – 27 June 2002

For many years, Thai governments have developed and promoted inbound tourism, to level the country’s balance of payments, and to sustainably generate employment. Notwithstanding seasonal pressures, this has generally been successful, and the announcement that over 10 million arrivals were recorded in 2001, boosted euphoria and confidence. However, for the peoples of the North, there is uncertainty coming from that success.

During August 2001, the Thai Interior Minister initiated a clamp down to enforce old laws, and make night-entertainment places close variously between midnight and 2:00am. This campaign has been largely successful, but has affected northern Thai citizens, and foreign investors, whose income opportunities are during the hours of darkness.

Initial reactions to the Social Order Policy came from entertainment venue owners and their staff. Reduced opening times meant reduced earning opportunities, and there were some cases of severely curtailed incomes. Yet by no means did only suffering come from this…