Red rally may hit Chiang Mai tourism

Published: 22/11/2009 at 01:15 PM
Online news: Breakingnews

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) on Sunday expressed its concerned that the planned anti-government rally of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) in Chiang Mai would lower the number of foreign tourist arrivals in the northern province.

The red-shirt UDD planned to stage another protest when Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will visit Chiang Mai to attend the provincial chamber of commerce meeting next weekend.

"If the protesters abide by the law, no violence would occur and the tourism sector would not be affected," Chiang Mai's TAT director Chalermsak Suranant said. "The people of Chiang Mai should know what their best interest is."

Mr Chalermsak said the overall tourism situation in Chiang Mai had improved, as can be seen by the rising number of hotel reservations.

Many big and international meetings will also be held in the province in the end of this month, he added.

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coldinCM

Discussion 15 : 23/11/2009 at 09:01 AM15
Lets try and keep this in perspective. There is no reason for anyone to be put of coming to Chiang Mai either before or after the PM's visit. This might be perceived as the 'nerve centre' for the red shirt brigade, but apart from disrupting a gay parade, they are hardly visible. They are certainly not roaming the streets as alleged. Chiang Mai life is perfectly normal where local people get on with their daily life. The Mall is packed, you cant get a ticket to the cinema, local restaurants are busy. I read that the five star hotels are hurting, but frankly there are far too many of these properties for this size of city.

If you dont live here, dont make wild assumptions, just because their cause celebre is from these parts. The UDD will score a massive own goal if they are stupid enough to do something noteworthy. Unfortunately not everyone thinks of the medium to long term impact of their actions and I would like to see the silent majority across Thailand voicing their concerns against this lunacy not just the residents of CM. Their dear leader is not as widely loved in CM as people might think. Younger professionals, who on 5000 baht a month are certainly not 'elite', cant stand the sight of the man and want the system to change.

There is only one piece of advice needed for coming to Chiang Mai. Pack warm clothing. Its very cold up here already!!
Tourist Not

Discussion 14 : 23/11/2009 at 08:42 AM14
Clearly, this supplementary income from being a Red Shirt member is main reason for entire Red Shirt movement. It has nothing to do with democracy, only 500 Baht bills.

The more you do, the more you get. How much did Petchawat get for the "death threat"?

Red Shirt Thais have had their eyes gutted out, and have sold their souls and country to Thaksin for the feeling of a crisp ATM bill.
Roy Fukata

Discussion 13 : 23/11/2009 at 08:24 AM13
nothing compared to the closure of Suvannabhumi airport last year by the PAD org.
Truth Today

Discussion 12 : 23/11/2009 at 06:49 AM12
Then again, the Red Shirts aren't really interested in what is best for Chaing Mai, the Thai people or their nation, they are hired thugs working on behalf of Thaksin.

If UDD could get through a single gathering without bringing up Thaksin's name, if they could find someone not connected to him and his gang, I might have believed they were interested in justice and egalitarianism. It is so painfully obvious they aren't.
isan farang

Discussion 11 : 23/11/2009 at 03:23 AM11
I have visited the beautiful City of Chiang Mai on many occasions but will never go back as long as the red shirt thugs and pretend democrats are roaming the streets.I would also discourage any others from going there.The selfish actions of the "smart" man from Chiang Mai are no different to the actions of the PAD and those holding meetings there will think again if violence flares.The red shirt Thaksin zombies must be stopped.
Josh

Discussion 10 : 23/11/2009 at 02:12 AM10
There is more in life than making money. If Suthep and Newin would not have sent in their own vigilantes in Pattaya nothing would have happened. It is far more important that Thai people get freedom of speech, freedom of demonstration and the freedom to get rid of political parties that are run like a family business.
Sending in the army or calling for a absurd security law will hurt tourism. Westerners, Koreans and Japanese people alike are familiar with protests.
Therefore the statement of the TAT official is wholly inappropriate and can be considered mingling in the freedom of people to gather.
Dale Bailey

Discussion 9 : 22/11/2009 at 11:17 PM9
I don't know about Thailand, but if you make a joke about a bomb at a USA airport you get an immediate and free ride to jail.

Bombs aren't funny. Murder isn't funny. As most Thais know from the teaching of the Buddha anger and hatred create a mind that can never know real happiness. I advise the Red Shirt leader to concentrate more on using his radio to bring the nation together and thereby find some true contentment.
Chiangmai Skipper

Discussion 8 : 22/11/2009 at 08:14 PM8
Red Rally May Hit Chiang Mai Tourism. May hit? I personally know 4 people who plan to avoid this weekend by leaving Chiang Mai and another 2 couples who normally return to Chiang during the high season have canceled altogether giving the red shirts and their planned protest on into next year as the straw that broke the camels’ back. Are they over-reacting? Maybe. But the point is they won’t be here as tourists.

When rally organizers bill this protest as the big “showdown” and stage it in front of Le Meridien, the newest high-end tourist hotels in Chiang Mai, you can bet there will be dissatisfied tourists who will send their stories back to their home countries immediately by Internet. Then when some moron leader of the Chaing Mai 51 storm troopers broadcasts on the radio that a car bomb could take out Abihist, many tourists perk up their ears and start thinking vacation destination Plan B. Even more unsettling is the leader later said,” I was only joking”. Yuk, a yuk! These are not words or actions conducive to drawing tourism and business to Chiang Mai. I’m surprised Thaksin, a sought after economic advisor, failed to inform his troops.

Heaven forbid but if any violence in the way of assassination attempts, car bombs or simple shootings were to occur, the red shirts would have themselves to thank for bringing further economic hardship on their own turf. Remember Abihist is here to participate in a Chamber of Commerce meeting to help small /medium businesses. Let some betterment at least have a chance to economically help the people.
tourist abc

Discussion 7 : 22/11/2009 at 08:00 PM7
we also cancel all trips to bangkok and the northern provinces. we go to bahamas instead.
Savvy

Discussion 6 : 22/11/2009 at 06:58 PM6
It's obvious; tourists don't want to go to a place where they meet with chaos & havoc. Foreign friends mention coming but have heard of the problems. They will get the news to avoid Chiang Mai as the situation is unpredictable. There are other choices in the region; why spoil their vacations.

For citizens of Chiang Mai, it is up to them. What will be gained is a bad reputation for for their area and their cause.

Sad but true.

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Red rally may hit Chiang Mai tourism