Chiang Mai, THAILAND, 1 December 2008 – Several countries are making efforts to evacuate their nationals stranded in Thailand after anti-government protesters closed down the Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports in Bangkok.

Reports from various sources state that all trains south to Malaysia and the Kuala Lumpur International aviation hub, are fully booked through to 8th December. Alternatives such as the Laos capital, Vientiane, are an arduous journey from Bangkok with no guarantee of flights available from the far smaller airport there. Flights from the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai to Singapore (another regional aviation hub) are also reported as fully booked through to the 8th December.

Up to Sunday, there were some 100,000 Thai and foreign passengers stranded in Thailand, and abroad, due to the closure of the two main airports, Suvarnabhumi last Tuesday and Don Mueang airport last Wednesday. One report has claimed Suvarnabhumi will reopen tonight at 6pm, but that is seen as impossible by most observers.

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…