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 – November 2002

Re-uniting Lan Na – Part 4
CHIANG MAI, Thailand – 3 Oct 2002

When modern tourism policies and ancient cultures meet, who wins and who loses?

Government-issued tourism statistics, of concern to business owners in Thailand, only tell part of the story. In considering whether the North is truly getting its fair share of arrivals and their spending power, a number of factors have to be addressed, especially the expectations of visitors.

The early months of 2002 were notable for two major announcements from Khun Juthamas Siriwan, Deputy Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The first was the gleeful declaration that arrivals in 2001 had topped the ten million mark despite September 11th. The inexplicable second was a later bemoaning that the crucial Japanese arrivals had dropped significantly during “the first quarter” (sic) due to the World Cup, which didn’t start until June.

In fact, the graph below disputes this, as it shows the annual monthly incrementing of arrivals proceeded as usual. Let’s consider that constant growth of tourism arrivals, with a close examination of several aspects rarely discussed in the mainstream, Thai, daily press…

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 – September 2002

Re-uniting Lan Na – Part 2
CHIANG MAI, Thailand – 27 June 2002

Decades ago, HM King Bhumipol realised that there were crops more profitable to the growers than opium. Beginning with, “Small peaches are expensive and bigger ones more expensive”, the Royal Projects encouraged the Hill Tribe peoples to change their agriculture from opium to other cash crops. To date, the success rate has been impressive, but now it may be under threat from current government policies in Thailand. Hill Tribe income growth, of the last twenty years, may be reversing through an over-reliance on the sustainability of tourism. For the Tai Hill Tribe peoples there is uncertainty coming from ongoing tourism successes…

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…