PM confirms plan to visit Chiang Mai

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• RicefieldRadio

  Discussion 10 : 19/07/2009 at 08:19 AM10

  puzzled - Thailand in a lot of ways is like a bomb waiting for someone to light the fuse, not just The north and Northeast.
  
  With any luck and a new election that is not interfered with by outside forces, this feeling should weaken over time.
  
  I predicted there could be a civil war in Thailand years ago - I still feel that way at times and at other times I think it's becoming less of a likelihood.
  
  A lot will depend if all sides accept the outcome of the next general election.

• puzzled

  Discussion 9 : 18/07/2009 at 11:05 PM9

  This was copied from the BP forum. Not everybody is of the opinions so far posted. (It is not my opinion)
  
  Concerned.
  
  Yeah, my wife's original village is about 4 hours north east of C.M., at least by car. Should be able to cut an hour off that on the bikes, as it's easier to dodge the chuckholes in those steep mountain roads that are big enough to swallow a VW Bug!! But we've actually discussed going there when Abby comes to visit, as you know that C.M. is going to be like a bomb waiting for someone to light the fuse.
  
  And it's not just the "average red shirt". You've got the Rak Chiang Mai 51 group, which have no qualms about using violence. And the police here, at least most of the ones I know, tend to look the other way when that happens. Remember the Gay Pride Parade a few months ago that this group put a stop to? I saw that happen, and saw the cops standing around smoking, talking, joking with each other and the reds, but never lifting a finger to do anything to stop them.
  
  It could be ugly.

• Steve Chiang Mai

  Discussion 8 : 18/07/2009 at 11:00 PM8

  Francis, I'll add my voice to those reassuring you that there is no reason whatever for you to postpone coming to Chiang Mai. Such "disturbance" as there was is a] very uncommon/isolated and b] gleefully hyped by those whose agenda is served by presenting it as something that it wasn't.

• A NONNY MOUSE

  Discussion 7 : 18/07/2009 at 10:26 PM7

  Traffic was bad on Huay Keow Road (it always is in the rainy season). I was out and about in CM on the evening of the alleged disturbances and the place was busy with people having dinner ahead of going to see the new harry potter movie.
  
  So dont cancel your holiday. I live here and believe me not everyone wears a red shirt. I would dare to suggest that he is not as revered up here as he and others would love to think that he is. Dont wear yellow or red and carry an umbrella!!
  
  I dont know what your budget is but try and stay near the night bazaar. The stallholders will soon give any demonstrators short shift if they try any nonsense down there. Tourism in CM is reportedly down so hey need all the baht they can extract from you.
  
  There are five very high standard hotels down there and others. Enjoy!!

• RicefieldRadio

  Discussion 6 : 18/07/2009 at 10:22 PM6

  Francis - It's perfectly safe to go to Chiang Mai. Having said that it's like going anywhere different for a vacation, be vigilant don't join in protests and use common sense, like leave your red and yellow shirts at home. If you use a cab or TukTuk to get around they will all know here to go and where not to go. There are never any problems at tourist spots so just have a good time.

• luap Chiang Mai

  Discussion 5 : 18/07/2009 at 10:15 PM5

  Francis,
  
  I would bring them to Chiang Mai!
  It is a great place and if any trouble did arise it would only be in a small area of the city.
  BKK was pasted all over the world with the problems there, the airport take over caused lots of damage to the economy and impacted on the poor hard working and poorly paid Thais, not the Elite component of this problem.
  Sure it is safe, come and enjoy.

• Francis

  Discussion 4 : 18/07/2009 at 09:59 PM4

  I thought of bringing my family to Chiamg Mai next week for a short holiday. But saw in your news that there were clashes and protest by the red-shirts with the police in Chiangmai. Any advise whether i should postpone my holiday to Chiang Mai.

• Donald Waters

  Discussion 3 : 18/07/2009 at 07:52 PM3

  If the security (and i hope that doesn't entail the police...) cannot protect Khun Abhisit from 10 red shirts in Bangkok - what is going to happen up here in Chiangmai?
  I truly wish that Thailand would develop some level of maturity and discipline, because this is now so shamefully embarrassing for a nation. I really find it uncomfortable to open a newspaper now... All the local stories ( esp. those involving any people in 'power') are so painfully pathetic that it is difficult to fathom how these people could ever learn to drive their Benz, let alone think they can run a country...
  What a sickening circus of childish self-interest the country has turned into... And the worse thing is it's so obvious!

• luap Chiang Mai

  Discussion 2 : 18/07/2009 at 07:10 PM2

  Stense or is it DENSE?
  Give this guy a go! Ok he was not elected by the people of Thailand but he seems to be trying to make things work for Thailand.
  The problem is Thais have been led by a criminal who has paid for votes, he used his power or bribes to manipulate people into voting for him.
  I just hope that the people of Thailand will accept that Mr T is a wanted criminal and must pay for his sins.
  Wake up and support a PM who is there for the COUNTRY, THAILAND and it's great people, especially those people that have been made jobless by the coloured shirt brigades.

• Stense

  Discussion 1 : 18/07/2009 at 05:39 PM1

  We all wishes you good luck, if for for nothing else that the trip will become a part of your memoirs.As you will know, the books published on the life of Kun Thaksin are all on the Best seller lists, this in spite of his royalty being seizure and in favor of whom? The question most Tax payers again will have to ask: What will be the cost of your trip in Bath if again a mobilization of 4-5000 special forces in order to protect you? A VIP buss ticket both ways at 2000 Bath is what my home country PM would have used, this firstly as we have an upcoming election this autumn.