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Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Rak Chiang Mai 51: A pride or a disgrace for Chiang Mai?
Posted by Veera Preteepchaikul
BangkokPost.com
by Veera Prateepchaikul
Organisers of last Saturday’s Gay Pride parade in Chiang Mai are demanding an apology from the Rak Chiang Mai 51 group for what they described as an uncivilized action by some 30 red-shirt hooligans who broke up the parade with force and intimidation.
There is not much that the organisers who comprise non-governmental organizations working on HIV/Aids problem can do towards the Rak Chiang Mai 51 group as they are too civilized. But they should have known better that even a verbal apology from the group would be impossible because the self-righteous group believes they are above the law and thus immune to any legal sanctions.
According to news reports, some 30 red shirts went to Tawan Trendy Mall where a stage was built to welcome the Gay Pride parade which was due to kick off from Buddasathan, through the Night Bazaar and finally ending at the mall. Once there, the red shirts launched verbal attacks against the event claiming that it was unsuitable and would tarnish the city’s reputation. The gang then dismantled the stage and threatened to resort to violence if the parade was to be held forcing the organisers to call off the event.
This latest thuggish act by the red shirts associated with the Rak Chiang Mai 51 has not only shamed the northern capital wellknown the world over for the friendliness and hospitality of its people but may turn away many would-be visitors. Several state agencies have avoided Chiang Mai as a venue of their seminars or meetings for fear that they will be disrupted by the red shirts.
For those who may not have any memory about the notoriety of the Rak Chiang Mai 51 group, the followings are some of the incidents perpetrated by the group’s red-shirts:
A few days before the breakup of the Gay Pride parade last Saturday, dozens of red shirts went to Chiang Mai provincial hall where hundreds of corn farmers were protesting and demanding help from the government. The red shirts tried to intervene but they were rejected by the farmers who made clear they did not want politics to get mixed up with their protest. But the red-shirt leaders felt offended by the rejection and engaged in angry arguments with the farmers. Luckily, there was no violent incident.
On January 23, a few hundred red shirts led by Mr Petchavak Wattanapongsirikul, self-appointed leader of Rak Chiang Mai 51 raided a branch monastery of the Santi Asoke sect in Chiang Mai under a false pretext that some illegal objects might be hidden in the premise. The red shirts’ blatant act stunned the Santi Asoke followers who are mostly children, women and the elderly. However, these people did not put up any resistance and allowed the red shirts to make the arbitrary searches which produced nothing illegal.
A similar ugly incident occurred in Lampang province when some 300 Rak Chiang Mai 51 red shirts went to Lampang Regent Lodge hotel to make searches after it was reported that Chaiwat Sinsuwong, a People’s Alliance for Democracy leader, was due to attend a seminar organized by PAD’s Lampang chapter.
And there was that shameful incident which happed at Chiang Mai University when one red-shirt protester slapped the face of a female lecturer who tried unsuccessfully to talk reasons with a group of red-shirt protesters who attempted to break up a get-together party of the university alumni in search of Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban who was reported to attend the event as an alumnae.
But the worst violent incident involving the Rak Chiang Mai 51 group was the red shirts’ raid last year of a community radio station of a PAD follower in the northern capital. The father of the station owner who was a very old man was allegedly beaten to death by the red-shirt protesters.
Of all the violent incidents involving Chiang Mai’s red shirts, the Rak Chiang Mai 51 leaders have never made any apology or shown remorse for the death of the poor defendless old man beaten to death in a cowardly manner by the red shirts.
The reluctance of the Chiang Mai police to take legal actions against the law breakers seems to have emboldened the Rak Chiang Mai 51 to the extent that they believe they can take law into their own hands and can escape scot free for all the violence perpetrated by their street thugs.
Despite the notoriety of the Rak Chiang Mai 51 and the shame the group has brought on the northern capital, one may wonder aloud what has happened to the city and its people? How can they be so apathetic and so tolerable with such senselessness without uttering a voice of protest?
Read commentComment 1
date : 25/02/2009 time : 21:03
I have been sick and tired of diversity of mafia gangs in Thailand. Have they even asked themselves about the impacts of what they have been doing? I look from outside (since I am now in the US) and feel like they are childishly responding to things that are different from what they believe. My question is how we, as Thai people, can learn to appreciate things that are different from us or what we believe.
Comment 2
Bangkok date : 26/02/2009 time : 02:55
date : 26/02/2009 time : 02:55
Veera, however hard you try to disgrace the Red Shirt, but they are still so much better than the Yellow Shirt PAD. Why not you write a full article on how PAD destroying the Thai Economy, occupying Government House, Closure of Airports, Killing etc...
Comment 3
Ed.F date : 26/02/2009 time : 03:40
date : 26/02/2009 time : 03:40
Right wing groups don't tolerate other people. Remind me of the actions from Adolf Hitler's NSDAP and others in 1936 and 1938.
But now we are in Thailand, in a so-called open-mind democracy . Who is this ... And where are guards of law. The brothers in brown ??
Why don't they protect the rights from the others. It is a shame for Thailand and specially for Chiang Mai, named the pearl of north. Hope many tourists avoid this area of the right (red) wing.
Comment 4
rgm date : 26/02/2009 time : 11:23
date : 26/02/2009 time : 11:23
This story leads me to believe that the police are being paid off under the table. Or some of the members of the red shirts are police. Either way, any and all people who conduct themselves in this way are very ignorant and pathetic human beings. They should all be apprehended and sent to prison.
Comment 5
Max Brownstein date : 26/02/2009 time : 13:11
date : 26/02/2009 time : 13:11
I am an American who will be traveling to Thailand next month. I check this website from time to time as it offers unique insight into the political situation in Thailand. I had no idea about the Rak Chiang Mai 51 group and their violent history. I was looking forward to visiting Chaing Mai for Songkran, but now I'm not sure if I should. Will it be safe? Will the "red shirts" target foriegners? I am deeply dismayed at the Chiang Mai and Thai authories for their inaction, and suprised that the people of Chiang Mai are so passive to defend themselves against these thugs.
Comment 6
Gordon date : 26/02/2009 time : 14:05
date : 26/02/2009 time : 14:05
The RCM51 members obviously admire the actions of goverments like Burma and Iran.To tolerate their thuggery is to encourage them. Their actions should be condemned by all well meaning people and not allowed to infest the society.They should be seen for the cowards that they are.
Comment 7
Hajo date : 26/02/2009 time : 14:08
date : 26/02/2009 time : 14:08
I will see for myself in mid-March, when I stay for a week in Chiang Mai. but as a tourist - and yes, I´m a gay man - I must say, that places where the climate towards gays is not tolerable, I will not visit again. No need to spend money for transportation and hotel there, when other parts of this wonderful kingdom are struggeling more and are nicer to their guests, no matter what they do in the sleeping room.
Comment 8
D Watson date : 26/02/2009 time : 14:32
date : 26/02/2009 time : 14:32
As a gay American man, I have spent many peaceful summers in Chiang Mai but the feeling in the town has changed. I hope these thugs can comprehend the damage they are doing to such a marvelous city. D
Obviously I made the right choice in not visiting Chiang Mai in January 2009. I is a lovely city that I used to enjoy visiting but now red shirted thugs are trying to take over and the police and others that live there do not seem to want to do anything to put a stop to the violence. Oh well, I can enjoy my holidays elsewhere.
Thanks Khun Veera, for taking the trouble to enumerate the occasions of thuggery by this "Rak Chiang Mai 51" gang. Why is that thuggish groups always put "Rak" in their names?
Another very bad consequence of these thugs' acts is that, dressed in red, they reflect badly on the people's movement to resuscitate democracy in Thailand. I have nothing but respect and good wishes for those bona fide groups who wear red, and nothing but disgust for "Rak Chiang Rai 51".
Another very bad consequence of these thugs' acts is that, dressed in red, they reflect badly on the people's movement to resuscitate democracy in Thailand. I have nothing but respect and good wishes for those bona fide groups who wear red, and nothing but disgust for "Rak Chiang Rai 51".
Comment 12
chinostar date : 27/02/2009 time : 03:13
Two years ago we moved from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, because we thought this city had a better and higher living standard and quality.
I was also happy to see a female mayor, well educated and still love the culture up here.
However the Rak Chiangmai 51 destroys every illusion of before and spoils the quality of life in Chiang Mai.
Worst however are the authorities, who allow these underdeveloped people to perform any illegal act they please and get away with it. DISGUSTING!
I believe many foreigners and tourists will leave or avoid Chiang Mai now and I feel sorry for the good citizens who cannot.
Comment 13
Penchan date : 27/02/2009 time : 03:40
date : 27/02/2009 time : 03:40
On behalf of the majority of Chiang Mai residents, those Red Shirts, Yellow Shirts, and Gay Pride are just a minority of the population of Chiang Mai.
They do not represent any thing of Chiang Mai people and city. The real Chiang Mai people are friendly, living with peace and harmony.
Therefore, we ask readers to use their own judgement to consider any news about Chiang Mai.
Comment 14
somsak date : 27/02/2009 time : 09:45
date : 27/02/2009 time : 09:45
You got that right. I wonder why the Chiang Mai incident was so underreprted by Thai press. Is that because the victim was a PAD reporter. If that is the case, I think Thai reporters are unprofessional, or even childish.
Comment 15
Tom date : 27/02/2009 time : 10:12
date : 27/02/2009 time : 10:12
Readers may remember than before the 2005 general election, the Democrats wanted to hold a rally in Chiang Mai, which was eventually disrupted by the same kind of people that seem to be in the Rak Chiang Mai 51 group.
On free TV it was noted that the police stood idly by, with two ThaiRakThai politicians, one the mayor, watching events from nearby.
I was ashamed to see that while the Democrats were escaping, someone disgracefully threw a plastic chair and hit former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai on the head. That part of the video was shown primarily on ASTV.
Recently when Chuan visited the North, he spoke of the incident, and mentioned that the chair only grazed his head and he was not hurt.
No one in Chiang Mai ever apologized. That job rightly belonged to City Hall, but given that the Mayor was an accomplice, what was to be expected?
And if other Chiang Mai citizens didn't speak up, does that mean that they supported the action? Of course, we can't blame the majority for the actions of a few, but in this case, perhaps silence speaks louder than words
On free TV it was noted that the police stood idly by, with two ThaiRakThai politicians, one the mayor, watching events from nearby.
I was ashamed to see that while the Democrats were escaping, someone disgracefully threw a plastic chair and hit former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai on the head. That part of the video was shown primarily on ASTV.
Recently when Chuan visited the North, he spoke of the incident, and mentioned that the chair only grazed his head and he was not hurt.
No one in Chiang Mai ever apologized. That job rightly belonged to City Hall, but given that the Mayor was an accomplice, what was to be expected?
And if other Chiang Mai citizens didn't speak up, does that mean that they supported the action? Of course, we can't blame the majority for the actions of a few, but in this case, perhaps silence speaks louder than words
Comment 16
Robert date : 27/02/2009 time : 11:26
date : 27/02/2009 time : 11:26
This is so very sad for Chaing Mai and Thailand as a whole. I already know of importers to North America that are leaving Chaing Mai because of the perceived instability. This will cost jobs to people at a time when the country can least afford it.
This is not Buddhist, and against the duty of every proper Thai to "King, Country and Religion."
This is not Buddhist, and against the duty of every proper Thai to "King, Country and Religion."
Comment 17
robin thurston date : 27/02/2009 time : 15:10
date : 27/02/2009 time : 15:10
Chang mai has an image of being the arts and cultural centre of Thailand. these THUGS the rak 51 bring shame to the area, and in terms of shame not far behind them, come the police, good for keeping the traffic going, and not much else.
Comment 18
marco date : 28/02/2009 time : 01:28
date : 28/02/2009 time : 01:28
When people get away with crimes, they get emboldened to escalate their activities to more and more extreme levels. In the end, they will be brutally crushed, and be very surprised when it happens.
Comment 19
Piset date : 28/02/2009 time : 03:18
date : 28/02/2009 time : 03:18
Justifiying outright prejudice and intolerance towards a gay pride march by saying it is "unsuitable and would tarnish the city’s reputation" is a complete joke! Have these red shirts ever been to Loi Kroh road where sex is bought and sold daily like bottles of beer?!?! How's that for the city's reputation? The red shirts are doing a great job of marginalizing themselves and looking downright ridiculous. Their ideology couldn't be more fragmented.
As far as the active protest community in Chiang Mai, it is, and always has been, a very small (albeit incredibly dedicated) group of people. The younger generation in Chiang Mai is inherently apathetic and much more concerned with clubbing, driving their parents' nice cars and posing while chatting on mobile phones at coffee shops. Pop culture monotony is the new Chiang Mai.
As far as the active protest community in Chiang Mai, it is, and always has been, a very small (albeit incredibly dedicated) group of people. The younger generation in Chiang Mai is inherently apathetic and much more concerned with clubbing, driving their parents' nice cars and posing while chatting on mobile phones at coffee shops. Pop culture monotony is the new Chiang Mai.
Comment 20
Mr. Coffee date : 28/02/2009 time : 12:22
To all those who fear the people of Chiang Mai as a result of the RCM51 group, I would only point out that this is merely a group of opportunistic hooligans looking to sow social unrest in order to return a disgraced and fugitive leader to power.
The issues RCM51 chooses to protest have neither the force of conviction nor righteousness, but rather the pathos of chaos and violence.
As for the protest of the Gay Pride parade, I would like to correct the author.
1) There were about 30 redshirts who appeared at Tawan Trendy (the endpoint of the parade) where they managed to barricade the participants in, with the help of the police. At the parade assembly point, however, there were between 100-200 redshirts, many wearing balaclavas and waving slingshots.
2) The redshirts would probably not have gotten involved in the Gay Parade issue if a failed wannabe politician from Bangkok, presumably out of jealousy at not having been included in the planning of the parade, had not telephoned the local RCM51 radio station a few days before the parade and "suggested" that it might be in their interest to take a stand against it. This "man" is the real culprit in creating the illusion of Chiang Mai as being an intolerant and hateful city.
The issues RCM51 chooses to protest have neither the force of conviction nor righteousness, but rather the pathos of chaos and violence.
As for the protest of the Gay Pride parade, I would like to correct the author.
1) There were about 30 redshirts who appeared at Tawan Trendy (the endpoint of the parade) where they managed to barricade the participants in, with the help of the police. At the parade assembly point, however, there were between 100-200 redshirts, many wearing balaclavas and waving slingshots.
2) The redshirts would probably not have gotten involved in the Gay Parade issue if a failed wannabe politician from Bangkok, presumably out of jealousy at not having been included in the planning of the parade, had not telephoned the local RCM51 radio station a few days before the parade and "suggested" that it might be in their interest to take a stand against it. This "man" is the real culprit in creating the illusion of Chiang Mai as being an intolerant and hateful city.
Comment 21
Free Yourself date : 28/02/2009 time : 13:10
You cannot judge Chiang Mai just by reading news. This is a political conflict resulting from actions of PAD,etc. in BKK & everywhere last year,now it shows its consequences. Can you translate that ? As it may tell you something about other people's opinions and interests. Some people who may believe and think different.And can you find the way to make harmony for all of us instead of talking bad about a province as a whole with your own political prejudice ?
In sum,You cannot judge Chiang Mai as a whole as red shirt and other provinces as whatever shirt.
In sum,You cannot judge Chiang Mai as a whole as red shirt and other provinces as whatever shirt.
Comment 22
Bud date : 28/02/2009 time : 14:03
date : 28/02/2009 time : 14:03
Actually, Rak Chiang Mai 51 MURDERED 2 PEOPLE last year. One was killed at the scene and the other died at the hospital from injuries. And from what I heard and saw in the news THEY WERE STABBED. Others, though, were beaten in that same incident.
Rak Chiang Mai 51 are the lowest of the low. And thugs like that, and the failure of authorities to do anything about them and other issues, are some of the main reasons I also won't be in Chiang Mai much longer.
Rak Chiang Mai 51 are the lowest of the low. And thugs like that, and the failure of authorities to do anything about them and other issues, are some of the main reasons I also won't be in Chiang Mai much longer.
Comment 23
colov date : 28/02/2009 time : 14:06
date : 28/02/2009 time : 14:06
Somehow it surprises me that the B.P. mentions the 'Redshirts' in such a negativ way. Up to now I thought the B.P. found the Redshirts rather desirable to be the majority in the government.
Comment 24
bruch date : 28/02/2009 time : 19:27
date : 28/02/2009 time : 19:27
chiang mai is a great town, i came back 2 days ago, and this town is always the since 5 years spent tago. my wife is thai and we spent 2 month there, this town is really nice. People is always smiling not like the south and Bangkok.
It s true that what the red shirts did during tke gay pride was horrible, but it's just a small very small part of what really the red shirts are.
In majority it's farmers and workers who are for the reds. In Thailande now the people are really divided liker never in the past. The middle class are more for the yellow , the matter will take a long time until the end.
The thing where i am really sorry for is that this prime minister have not been elected.
It s really incredible that in one democracy we choose in the parliement someone to be prime minister!! There is no election that's a big a problem. To fix this you need to choose a date for a new election, they need to stop to take power by tractation,and the give the rigth to people to exprime themselves. Like that maybe after the result of the election things will be less tense.
Just my little pointof view
It s true that what the red shirts did during tke gay pride was horrible, but it's just a small very small part of what really the red shirts are.
In majority it's farmers and workers who are for the reds. In Thailande now the people are really divided liker never in the past. The middle class are more for the yellow , the matter will take a long time until the end.
The thing where i am really sorry for is that this prime minister have not been elected.
It s really incredible that in one democracy we choose in the parliement someone to be prime minister!! There is no election that's a big a problem. To fix this you need to choose a date for a new election, they need to stop to take power by tractation,and the give the rigth to people to exprime themselves. Like that maybe after the result of the election things will be less tense.
Just my little pointof view
Comment 25
Pierre in California date : 01/03/2009 time : 01:14
date : 01/03/2009 time : 01:14
To all Western travelers thinking about going to Chiang Mai, DO NOT CHANGE YOUR PLANS! Go to Chiang Mai!
Despite what these Red Shirts do (and I think they are horrible), they do not target tourists! My wife and I just got back from 5 great weeks in Thailand, and had a wonderful time in the north, including Chiang Mai.
The old section of town, and all of the surrounding areas are too beautiful to pass up. And the Thai people are the friendliest on Earth!
Despite what these Red Shirts do (and I think they are horrible), they do not target tourists! My wife and I just got back from 5 great weeks in Thailand, and had a wonderful time in the north, including Chiang Mai.
The old section of town, and all of the surrounding areas are too beautiful to pass up. And the Thai people are the friendliest on Earth!
Comment 26
steveyinasia date : 01/03/2009 time : 02:18
date : 01/03/2009 time : 02:18
To Max Brownstein,
Please don't let the actions of a few ruin your planned trip to Chiang Mai. It is a beautiful place that surely cannot be missed in your travels here. The people will not "target" tourists, their problems are with the internal politics of Thailand. Although I reside in Bangkok, my girlfriend's family is from Chiang Mai and we travel there frequently. I am a foreigner and have had no problems with travelling there for the past 2 years...except maybe for their crazy driving habits!!!
Comment 27
Ben date : 01/03/2009 time : 06:56
Can't we all just help the to make this kingkom stronger that destroying it?
No body is perfect and that is the main reason why we should be understanding towards each other.
But do always remember every person have the freedom to be what they are with respect to the law of course.
No body is perfect and that is the main reason why we should be understanding towards each other.
But do always remember every person have the freedom to be what they are with respect to the law of course.
Comment 28
ken allday date : 01/03/2009 time : 07:46
date : 01/03/2009 time : 07:46
What a shame all the Gays will be frightened to go to Chiang Mai thanks to all those dim witted protesters - good job!
Comment 29
Amita date : 01/03/2009 time : 12:49
date : 01/03/2009 time : 12:49
To Rak Chiang Mai 51 and Farangs who complain about Thailand.
You sound unhappy in Chiang Mai. You all should leave Chiang Mai to where you are from.
Then Chiang Mai is peaceful as it always is.
You complain too much.
Comment 30
Betsey date : 01/03/2009 time : 14:41
date : 01/03/2009 time : 14:41
It is interssting to note that the so called leader of the Chiangmai thugs has a last name that is eight sylables long.
This indicates that he probably is not a Chiengmai native but came over the border from Yunnan,or other places further north, a few years ago.
This indicates that he probably is not a Chiengmai native but came over the border from Yunnan,or other places further north, a few years ago.
Comment 31
marinediver date : 01/03/2009 time : 14:42
Chiang Mai is more righteous than the USA. Maybe by this it will not become another Sodom & Gomorra. It is not morally wrong to say that sodomy is a perversion of nature and a shame to any people, and should be condemned.
Comment 32
ed date : 02/03/2009 time : 00:44
date : 02/03/2009 time : 00:44
The motto of the north: "If you are not Red, you should be dead."
Where were the police? Their motto: "Do not count on us, we are here for the money."
Comment 33
North date : 02/03/2009 time : 09:51
date : 02/03/2009 time : 09:51
OK, so what would you wish us to do? I am a citizen of Chiang Mai and have sent letters to complain to the Mayor and Governor about the 51 group. But what else can I do? I am not brave enough to stick my head up as they are killers, so what can I do? If you have an answer tell us. We are fed up with the group. But they are dangerous.
Comment 34
Saw date : 02/03/2009 time : 16:47
date : 02/03/2009 time : 16:47
Sooner or later Chiang Mai will become like Rangoon and RCM51 like Burmese general thugs in Burma who violently hunt down peaceful protesters and any act they deem against their ideology.
Shame to apathetic CM residents who do nothing to stop this ugly and irrational nationalistic group. I will make sure that I won't book my trip to CM again until this group has been crushed.
Comment 35
Amita date : 03/03/2009 time : 02:16
date : 03/03/2009 time : 02:16
I think those saying they are not coming or leaving Chiang Mai, in fact they don't want to do that. They just complain like babies telling parents, if you don't give me this/that, I don't go to school.
Chiang Mai is the most pleasant place to live.
Chiang Mai is the most pleasant place to live.
Comment 36
Free Yourself date : 03/03/2009 time : 06:23
date : 03/03/2009 time : 06:23
For any people who say they decide not to go to CM because of such a political prejudice,it is their own mental problem.Who cares ? They are free to lock themselves in the self-made cage and keep their social viewpoint as narrow as it is.As Chiang Mai person I feel sorry for those who like to keep blinding themselves with their own created reality.
Comment 37
bushido date : 03/03/2009 time : 11:41
date : 03/03/2009 time : 11:41
this very moment my family is here in bangkok where i reside and i definitely refuse to take them to the north, reservations have been canceled.The chiang mai mayor doesn't seem to be in controll of her police unwilling to act against those red(brown)shirted thughs, i will not bare the stress while showing my loved ones around Thailand. These cowards will turn on foreigners at the first opportunity....i have been living here long enough to know what to expect. Untill action is taken Chiang Mai is off limits. Be sure this kind of news travels fast, is very damaging and sentiment against chiang mai will be difficult to turn around, unless obvious action is taken swiftly.Many nice places in the south!
Comment 38
Democracy date : 04/03/2009 time : 02:06
date : 04/03/2009 time : 02:06
This is nothing out of the ordinary. This is Mr Thaksin's democracy and how he dealt with his own thugs who did not follow his line. The thugs are now copying Thaksin.
No n\man is above his master.
No n\man is above his master.
Comment 39
Betsey date : 04/03/2009 time : 07:48
date : 04/03/2009 time : 07:48it is interesting to note that the so called 'leader' of the Red Shirts has
a family namne that is seven sylables long.This lead me to believe that he probably came over from Yunnan a few years ago.Was he a former Red Guard?
That would explain the tactics.
Comment 40
Tom date : 04/03/2009 time : 10:58
date : 04/03/2009 time : 10:58
Gay pride march..what a load of bollocks. Why attact attention to yourselves by saying "look at me I am gay!" Most of the population ain't interested in what your sexual preferences are, so why parade it you're just an embarrassment to society. Do you see heterosexuals parading on the streets..NO SIR you do not! Get a life you losers!
Comment 41
Alan raymond date : 04/03/2009 time : 15:32
date : 04/03/2009 time : 15:32
My wife is Thai and we were in CM in Jan 09 with a group of friends and wanted to go on a one day trek. When the driver turned up he asked if my wife if she was a member of PAD because if so he wouldn't take her!!! We went back into the hotel, they phoned the tour company and told them they had better send a new driver or no more business...ever! The boss came out herself and chewed out the driver in public, great loss of face followed by loss of job.
Comment 42
Ralph Edmunds date : 04/03/2009 time : 19:55
date : 04/03/2009 time : 19:55
On my annual 2-3 week visits to wonderful Thailand which I came to love nearly 2 decades ago, I have in more recent years avoided the dangerous South. My trips to Chiang Mai will now be eliminated.
If the Tourist Authority fails to impress upon the local and national governments that the tourist dollars so badly needed now will remain at reduced levels because of the potential danger, then all of Thailand will suffer. There are too many other options for anyone to risk extra expense from shut airports (How long will it be before the Chiang Mai and other airports suffer too?) and potential danger from physical violence.
If the Tourist Authority fails to impress upon the local and national governments that the tourist dollars so badly needed now will remain at reduced levels because of the potential danger, then all of Thailand will suffer. There are too many other options for anyone to risk extra expense from shut airports (How long will it be before the Chiang Mai and other airports suffer too?) and potential danger from physical violence.
Comment 43
somsak date : 05/03/2009 time : 02:00
date : 05/03/2009 time : 02:00
Ordiary forign toursts don't care much about what Chiang Mai 51 did, simply because they don't follow local news. So People in Chiang Mai don't have to worry about it. I wonder why the killing of the PAD's supporter's father did not take media attention at all. How is the investigation going on? The police must have visual evidence about the people who did that. The scene that they were shooting to the radio station was broadcast on TV, and they did not bother to hide their face probably because they were so convinced that they would be all right with their local boss's policial clout, or simply because they were drunk. After they shot pistols and a kind of firebombs(I guess) toward the house where the radio personality lived, they were laguhing together. And the camera was pannning to the burning house. It's most bizarre scine that I have ever seen during this three years of political turmoil.
Comment 44
DISTGUSTED WITH UDD AND 51 GP date : 05/03/2009 time : 05:56
date : 05/03/2009 time : 05:56
North, comment 26.
I appreciate your point and your right, these people are dangerous and they have thug friends in high places.
I've heard from others that letters to PM Abhisit get action, why not write to him and make the point about the lack of police action.
This 51 group break the law again and again.
Tell Khun Abhisit your points.
Good luck.
I appreciate your point and your right, these people are dangerous and they have thug friends in high places.
I've heard from others that letters to PM Abhisit get action, why not write to him and make the point about the lack of police action.
This 51 group break the law again and again.
Tell Khun Abhisit your points.
Good luck.
Comment 45
Ray date : 05/03/2009 time : 21:02
date : 05/03/2009 time : 21:02
I lived in Thailand for 4 years and
have have been married to a Thai lady for 40 years.We have been back many
times and have always felt safe.
This incident with RCM51 won't have any effect on our upcoming travel plans, but
it may on other westerners who don't know any better. The Airport blockades
cost Thailand not only lost revenue, but
a tarnished image. I hope that Thailand ccan get back to being "Sabai-muk".
have have been married to a Thai lady for 40 years.We have been back many
times and have always felt safe.
This incident with RCM51 won't have any effect on our upcoming travel plans, but
it may on other westerners who don't know any better. The Airport blockades
cost Thailand not only lost revenue, but
a tarnished image. I hope that Thailand ccan get back to being "Sabai-muk".
Comment 46
Michael date : 06/03/2009 time : 00:23
date : 06/03/2009 time : 00:23
Why must Thai people distinguished themselves by colors, the reds or yellows. In history, only ethnic or slaves felt very strong repulsion from color discrimination. The Thais are such loving people and have never been colonized by any particular group. I don't see any glory to call yourself the reds, yellows, or Rak Chiangmai 51 unless the Thais want to be colonized or under control by a particular person or group.
Comment 47
ray date : 06/03/2009 time : 09:00
date : 06/03/2009 time : 09:00
what a shame that a group of bigotted fools could cause so much havoc in such a beautiful city as chiang mai. who cares what sexual preference one has. my family and i were planning to visit in november for loy krahtong festival however this will have to be discussed further before we consider to go or not.
Comment 48
tasmania devil date : 07/03/2009 time : 01:06
date : 07/03/2009 time : 01:06
shall we then boycott the entire city of chiangmai and its people on the ground of civil negligence? shall economic hardship bring common sense back to the people of chiangmai that civility is a pre-requisite to well-being and wealth?
Usually I pay visit to Chiengmai every New Year and Summer . But This year I have to change my programme to Samui and Phuket instead.
It's a kind of insecurity in life.
There's a red-shirt mob which need violent and love to show the uncivilization
It's a kind of insecurity in life.
There's a red-shirt mob which need violent and love to show the uncivilization
Comment 50
William date : 08/03/2009 time : 05:57
date : 08/03/2009 time : 05:57
Nice to hear from all the gays in Thailand. Wish you all could go to SanFrancisco,maybe you would want to live there? Where the normal people have to keep the kids in their homes during gay parades,OBSCENE! Can not go to parks either, where men are often seen behind bushes doing their homo business. Bathrooms where some will take care of you if you like. Wow that is great. You want that in Thailland? Already here?
Fact it most people even Buddists consider this way of life a slap in the face. Against what their God says is right. Fact Homo Sexuality is against God, and Man. A slap in your faces. Keep your parades your gay clubs to yourself is what I say.
Finally NO Violence there has got to be a better way, not to issue permits to these people to parade openly their sickness. Next it will be lepers, or blind. At least they are sick, Homo Sexuals I do not understand but keep it to yourself please. IMHO thankyou.
Fact it most people even Buddists consider this way of life a slap in the face. Against what their God says is right. Fact Homo Sexuality is against God, and Man. A slap in your faces. Keep your parades your gay clubs to yourself is what I say.
Finally NO Violence there has got to be a better way, not to issue permits to these people to parade openly their sickness. Next it will be lepers, or blind. At least they are sick, Homo Sexuals I do not understand but keep it to yourself please. IMHO thankyou.
Comment 51
Tim Johnson date : 08/03/2009 time : 14:53
I have visited Thailand with my gay partner twice before and I have just returned from a 3 week solo holiday there myself becuase it thought that it was a safe country. I didn't go to Chang Mai this time because of the red shirts and the sectoral violence and we are unlikely to travel to Thailand again whilst this violence continues, without people being held responsible.
Comment 52
marco date : 09/03/2009 time : 02:16
date : 09/03/2009 time : 02:16
Chiang Mai is fairly safe. I'm a US citizen living here. The Red Shirt thugs were a group of less than 100 in a country of 6,000,000 people. We don't see them on a day to day basis here and their leaders in Bangkok don't support them closing down the gay parade. I was at the place were the parade was to start. It was childish on the Red Shirts part and they were very disorganized. It was reported that various factions of that group had a fight later that evening near the train station. Reminded me of when I was in junior high school. Childish!
Comment 53
oogleman date : 10/03/2009 time : 02:33
date : 10/03/2009 time : 02:33
somsak you are incorrect.
Since the coups MOST foreign tourists and almost all seasoned travellers to Thailand follow the news reports daily via the post, the nation & numerous web forums. We DO care, as our friends live in CM too. I think if you search the ay forums you will see the pride march made bi headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Since the coups MOST foreign tourists and almost all seasoned travellers to Thailand follow the news reports daily via the post, the nation & numerous web forums. We DO care, as our friends live in CM too. I think if you search the ay forums you will see the pride march made bi headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Chang Mai is just one of many of these type Mafia actions across Thailand every week. It really doesn’t matter Gay, Myanmar, Lao, Cambodia or White Westerner Thai people are xenophobic and don’t like anything different from themselves. Often time’s tourists are uninformed and unaware of the dangers of Thailand. The TAT pushes the media machine full time and the police cover up full time to keep one thinking paradise, but not anymore if ever. There are many other choices in South East Asia to really enjoy clean safe holidays. Smiling faces in Thailand tell lies sometimes.
Comment 55
christian date : 10/03/2009 time : 09:25
well well well, I have been in chiang mai that days. not because if the parade - just to have an easy and relaxed holiday. I am not gay but have understanding for people which are differenct as long as they are peaceful. I enjoyed discussions with gays and ladyboy's, my wife did too. The only think disturbing my holiday where this red shirt mafia. Because of these !@##$%%%^ thailand lost at least two more tourists because it was defenitely our last time in thailand. Sorry for all the good and peaceful people of this nice and wounderful country.Hmmm, someone know the reason why taksin can't get a visa for the european union? Thanks. CHRISTIAN
Comment 56
ken allday date : 11/03/2009 time : 14:14
date : 11/03/2009 time : 14:14
to many bummers there anyway get them sent back to Germany and France where they belong
Comment 57
jerrold date : 12/03/2009 time : 03:29
date : 12/03/2009 time : 03:29
I sincerely wonder what "added value" a Gay parade is to our society.
Whats next? a parade of whores?
What is it in people when they feel the need to go to the streets in order to be recognized? anybody remembers the word LOVE?and Private????
Stick to positive signs in life and life would become far better(for all of us!)
Whats next? a parade of whores?
What is it in people when they feel the need to go to the streets in order to be recognized? anybody remembers the word LOVE?and Private????
Stick to positive signs in life and life would become far better(for all of us!)
Comment 58
bkk_den date : 12/03/2009 time : 04:39
date : 12/03/2009 time : 04:39
Mmm... Other than their shirts, how are they related to the anti-dictatorship group?
Comment 59
SENIOR OFFICIALS MOVED date : 12/03/2009 time : 05:01
I noticed that one or two very senior government officials were moved out of Chiang Mai.
I wonder if this is because they haven't controlled mob / vigilante actions like this CM 51 group who clearly have broken the law on many occasions including intimidation and violence against the public.
I wonder if this is because they haven't controlled mob / vigilante actions like this CM 51 group who clearly have broken the law on many occasions including intimidation and violence against the public.
Comment 60
taxpayer date : 14/03/2009 time : 15:20
date : 14/03/2009 time : 15:20
We need to realize that Thaksin is a Chiang Mai boy and he "owns" Chiang Mai. Of course, the implications are awful for Thaksin: all this implies that he is a corrupt political thug with billions of baht who will stop at nothing. If Thaksin says "Jump," the police in Chiang Mai ask "How high?"
Comment 61
Tuffmann date : 15/03/2009 time : 00:01
date : 15/03/2009 time : 00:01
Penchan and other CM residents who protest that RCM51 do not represent them, you are wrong. While you let these thugs run free in your city you are encouraging them to more and worse acts that will only destroy your city.
What can you do?
If you do not like what they are doing you have to organize and protest. These thugs are bullies. They only understand force. When they see a larger group of citizens showing they are against their thuggery they will be cowed into stopping. Until you do this CM will suffer a decline. Do you want the idiot Petchavak Wattanapongsirikul, self-appointed leader of Rak Chiang Mai 51, to take over your city? This is what he wants. He is no better than Hitler. He has his mob of brown shirts (red shirts) terrorizing the city. Next he will target the political structure. When that happens you can kiss your freedom and beautiful city goodbye.
Do you think I am being silly? Just sit back and do nothing and wait. It won't be long before you see that I am right.
Meanwhile, I will not be visiting CM until these thugs are crushed and gone. Sorry, but I am not putting my family at risk while CM citizens are too cowardly to protect themselves or their visitors. Who knows when RCM51 will see the political gain in attacking foreigners. It is only a matter of time.
What can you do?
If you do not like what they are doing you have to organize and protest. These thugs are bullies. They only understand force. When they see a larger group of citizens showing they are against their thuggery they will be cowed into stopping. Until you do this CM will suffer a decline. Do you want the idiot Petchavak Wattanapongsirikul, self-appointed leader of Rak Chiang Mai 51, to take over your city? This is what he wants. He is no better than Hitler. He has his mob of brown shirts (red shirts) terrorizing the city. Next he will target the political structure. When that happens you can kiss your freedom and beautiful city goodbye.
Do you think I am being silly? Just sit back and do nothing and wait. It won't be long before you see that I am right.
Meanwhile, I will not be visiting CM until these thugs are crushed and gone. Sorry, but I am not putting my family at risk while CM citizens are too cowardly to protect themselves or their visitors. Who knows when RCM51 will see the political gain in attacking foreigners. It is only a matter of time.
Comment 62
Maru Winters date : 16/03/2009 time : 02:36
date : 16/03/2009 time : 02:36
It seems that the seeds that Taksin sowed are growing. No-one must forget that Taksin allowed' indeed encouraged judicial killings of suspected 'drug dealers' (how many 'drug dealers' were political opponents I wonder)by the police and several thousand were killed without hardly a murmer of protest. The redshirts are merely an extension of this way of thinking. Evil should not be allowed to triumph.
Comment 63
NB date : 16/03/2009 time : 11:30
date : 16/03/2009 time : 11:30
I have lived here in Chiangmai now for 9 years. It's a great place and the people are great but with these thugs around it is making CM an uncomforatable place to be. Also with the pollution problems as well myself and my wife have decided it is time to leave CM for good. Very sorry to have to leave.
Comment 64
free date : 17/03/2009 time : 03:43
date : 17/03/2009 time : 03:43
they should call themselves "destroy Chiangmai group "instead of Rak chiangmai.....
Comment 66
Doc Smith date : 22/03/2009 time : 07:39
date : 22/03/2009 time : 07:39
Frist off I do not agree with the Red Shirts 99 percent of the time. But this is 1 time I do. Decent people do not want, sexual perverts, (homosexuals)around there 5 year old BOYS. Just read the last week of the Bangkok Post and you will read about 4 different GAYS having sex with BOYS under 15 years old, one 5 years old. Run the pererts back to where they came from and keep your towns CLEAN.
Comment 67
oneiron date : 06/07/2009 time : 08:56
date : 06/07/2009 time : 08:56
This is a response to North in comment 26. What can you do? Number one is vote and hopefully not for a red shirt or yellow shirt. Both of these groups have displayed that they do not care about Thailand or it's people. Their only interest is in keeping power. Both of these groups actions at the airports and the Asian summit have hurt the reputation of Thailand immensely. You can also talk to all of your friends and try to convince them not to sell their votes. Next is to donate your time and work for a candidate that you feel really cares about Thailand and it's people.
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