Lan Na in the Shadow of the Mongols
Satellite Towns – an old system revived

CHIANG MAI, Thailand – 11 Mar 2003 - People say that history is how we learn the future. Examining the past is how we see what to do next, claim others. Cynics state that history teaches only that humans never learn. Perhaps a little of each is true for all of us, and everyone has the opportunity to learn from everyone else, at personal, regional, and national levels. How many of us do?

On 23rd April AD 1281, marching triumphantly into Hariphunchai (Lamphun), King Mengrai entered a city-state far different from those of Chiang Rai and the Mae Kok basin. Hariphunchai was a model administration for his growing kingdom, one that he would adapt, and use. Hariphunchai was small; one central city and several satellite towns – within half a day’s march of each other, plus dozens of smaller villages. Only the latter were unfortified. The basic military advantage, of scattered strong points dependent upon and defendant of each other, is a style still used today. Yet, their placement was not only military.

Published in Chiang Mai CityLife Magazine – February 2003

A Level Playing Field – Part 2
CHIANG MAI, Thailand – 5 January 2003

Returning to the tourists interviewed at the end of last year, the other half of the survey considered their opinions of what is good about Chiang Mai, what they enjoyed, and any suggestions they have for further improvement of the city’s tourism facilities. The responses in this section of the survey were less clear-cut than in the section about roads and traffic, although some marginal trends were identified.

Overall, this second part of the survey was favourable to Chiangmai.

Tourists have a wide range of activities and places that they enjoy, and any suggestions they gave fell into the, “try to make it better quality” category. Some of these things are being done, as the following “good news” items will demonstrate…

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…