CHIANG MAI, 13 Nov 2008 – Tourists visiting Thailand should not be put off by news of the latest bombing in the capital, Bangkok.

This latest incident appears to be the result of a commercial dispute regarding new landlords of the capital’s largest market venue, and predictions of increased stall rents that have caused many of the traders to mount a public protest. As such it would seem to be an action between two vested interests with no intent to escalate it to the wider public and visitors.

The explosion occurred at Ratchadamri Road – Rama IV Road Intersection intersection, where vendors of the Klong Toey Market were rallying in protest against new landlords, injuring fifteen of them, two severely, at about 1:00 am Thursday 13th November. The injured were rushed to the Kluay Nam Thai and Chulalongkorn hospitals. The severely injured are Yakob Lohmoh, 51, and Penthiwawan Kaewsuk, 37.

Police quoted a witness as saying a bag was dropped from the flyover over the Ratchadamri-Rama IV Intersection, causing the explosion.

Over 110,000 people affected.

CHIANG MAI, Thailand – 16 August 2005 – Torrential rains lashed the mountainous centre of South East Asia on Saturday and led to flash floods in Northern Thailand’s popular tourist destinations.

Casualty estimates vary between 5 and 13 dead, with 11 to 20 reported missing, and around forty injured including two foreign visitors.

Eighteen roads, 44 bridges and around 6,500 hectares of agricultural crops have been severely affected in rural areas.

Current estimates are that floods have directly affected almost 111,000 people over an area the size of Wales, according to officials.

Silver Licenses awarded in North for First Time

Chiang Mai, Thailand, 24 May 2004 – Over 80 tourist guides from all corners of Thailand spent two month’s in study at Naresuan University’s Phayao Campus this summer, before graduating to gain their Silver Guide Licenses.

Studying an intensive program for international tourism including airline passenger service, Thai culture, eco-tourism & the environment, ethics & etiquette, geography, history, immigration law, Thai music & instruments, and other subjects, the course candidates sat exams every week, with eight hours of classroom time seven days each week.

Brothers in Arms – Part 1
Sibling rivalry in Medieval Thailand

CHIANG MAI, Thailand – 22 Mar 2003 - For centuries before the current Thailand was referred to as Siam, the region was a closely linked collection of major and minor kingdoms. At the close of the 14th century, several were consolidating their power bases and borders, whilst at the same time experiencing internal struggles and rebellions similar to those of several west European nations of the period.

At that time, the region that became Thailand comprised of several firmly defined major kingdoms, and several minor ones, all with tributary states and “foreign” allies or vassals. In the central region, Ayutthaya was approaching the most dynamic period of its growth and expansion, having pushed the declined Khmer Empire of Angkor Wat back into the Cambodian highlands, and kept the various Burmese kings west of the Kanchanaburi mountains. A little north, the great golden utopia of Sukhothai was beginning its decline from the glory days when its growth shadowed that of Lan Na, its own northern neighbour.

COMMENTARY – Shot in the Foot

Xenophobia & Nationalism Retard Tourism Growth in Northern Thailand

CHIANG MAI, Thailand – 28 January 2003 - Recent national and regional press coverage has printed conflicting reports concerning the tourist arrivals dilemma in Northern Thailand. The Aviation Department has released detailed statistics showing exponential growth in the number of airlines and flights bringing people into the kingdom, but admits that Chiangmai is having difficulties increasing its passenger load due to slow growth of inbound flights.

In this respect, the Prime Minister’s aim to promote his home city as a regional hub may be more suitable than the inaccurate mass interpretation that it is to become a global hub. Private tourism industry leaders have complained that returnees are dropping, as they don’t want to see the same, degraded, sights each trip.

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…