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Chiang Mai Food Festival kicks off Nov. 6
Fifty top
restaurants will highlight northern cuisine amid a backdrop of dramatic
lighting and live music at the Chiang Mai Food Festival Nov. 6-14 at Central
Plaza Chiang Mai Airport.
By Nopniwat Krailerg
Fifty top restaurants will highlight northern cuisine
amid a backdrop of dramatic lighting and live music at the Chiang Mai Food
Festival Nov. 6-14.
The event sponsored by Singha Pattana Chiangmai Co.
will take place at Central Plaza Chiang Mai Airport.
Organizer Yotmetha Chantarawarot said Chiang Mai
Province and the mall invited retailers and restaurants to help promote
northern tourism by offering food, music and deals.
Scheduled to perform are Violette Wautier, Zeal, Burin
Boonvisut, Ink Waruntorn, Lomosonic, Palmy, Clash, Aof Pongsak and The Toys.
Each night also will see prize drawing and special
activities from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Protestors demand leaders’ release in demonstrations across Chiang Mai
About 1,000
students and residents rallied in Chiang Mai against the government’s
persecution of the students, its alleged failures to govern, and demanded
the release of core movement leader Anon Nampa.
Nopniwat Krailerg
As young pro-democracy protestors battled police in
Bangkok, about 1,000 of their comrades rallied in Chiang Mai, demanding the
release of core movement leader Anon Nampa. He is being held without bail
for violating the terms of his parole for a September demonstration in the
northern city.
Protestors also demanded the release of Prasit
Krutharoj, head of the Liberation People's Party. Together they are accused
of inciting unrest and sedition.
Demonstrators moved from Chiang Mai University’s Ang
Kaew Sala to Huay Kaew Road where they sat and blocked traffic in an act of
peaceful civil disobedience. Speakers railed against the government’s
persecution of the students and its alleged failures to govern.
Another 100 people assembled at Chiang Mai Provincial
Court where they called for the release of the two leaders, who were denied
bail and taken the Chiang Mai Central Prison.
Youth raises
the three fingers symbol from the Hunger Games.
A protester
holds up a #SaveAnon banner at Chiang Mai Provincial Court.
Over 100
people from the Liberation People's Party assembled behind Chiang Mai
Provincial Court where they called for the release of party leader Prasit
Krutharoj.
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Chiang Mai fire crews prep for Yi Peng blazes
Chiang Mai
emergency personnel practice using fire-foam in preparation for the upcoming
Yi Peng Festival.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Mai emergency personnel practiced their response
to fires that could be sparked by the Yi Peng flying lantern festival later,
during Loy Krathong.
Deputy Mayor Sunthorn Yamsiri opened the Oct. 16
oil-fire drill with firefighters from Chiang Mai International Airport and
the local Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, using extinguishing
foam.
The crews also practiced various response tactics to
aid people injured or endangered by fires set off by the lanterns on Oct. 31
and Nov. 1.
Trained
firefighters work in concert with high-pressure hoses.
The crews
also practiced various response tactics to aid injured people.
Deadline passes for Chiang Mai flying lantern registration
Chiang Mai
Provincial Administrative Organization President Chalit Thipkham and Chiang
Mai’s city, police and PAO officials inspect a lantern seller, checking for
proper registration.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Friday marked the deadline for Chiang Mai retailers to
register to sell flying lanterns for this year’s Loy Krathong Yi Peng
Festival.
Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization
President Chalit Thipkham and Chiang Mai’s city, police and PAO officials
inspected lantern sellers Oct. 15, checking registrations before the
deadline.
Lantern sales are highly regulated, as they pose
serious risks to aviation. Flying lanterns are prohibited around Chiang Mai
International Airport for all but six hours Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 and
completely banned within the flight path and near the airport grounds.
Lantern sales are allowed in outer areas, but sellers
must register in advance.
The flying lights also must be made of natural
materials, be 90 centimeters in diameter or less and no longer than 140 cm.
It also must have a serial number so it can be tracked back to the retailer
if necessary.
The flying
lanterns must be made of natural materials, be 90 centimeters in diameter or
less, and no longer than 140 cm.
Each
krathong must have a serial number so it can be tracked back to the retailer
if necessary.
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2 million meth pills seized in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai
police and soldiers seized almost 2 million methamphetamine tablets being
smuggled over the border from Myanmar.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Rai police and soldiers seized almost 2 million
methamphetamine tablets being smuggled over the border from Myanmar.
Maj. Gen. Narit Thavornwong, commander of the Pha Muang
Task Force, and Mae Sai police announced the arrests Oct. 15.
Soldiers found the caravan of 15 people carrying 13
bags containing 1.95 million pills while patrolling Ban Pha Mee in Wiang
Phang Kham Subdistrict of Mae Sai District. All the suspects escaped in the
dark.
Despite not managing a single arrest, the army
commander commended his task force for at least seizing the drugs.
Soldiers
inspect the cache to determine it was, in fact, illegal drugs.
The suspects
escaped, but law enforcement was able to confiscate the illicit drugs and
take them off the streets.
Evidence is
seized, bagged and prepared for transport as evidence.
Free flu shots offered at Lanna Hospital
Lanna
Hospital kicked off its annual flu-vaccination campaign in Chiang Mai this
week, offering free flu shots to people over 50.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Lanna Hospital kicked off its annual flu-vaccination
campaign in Chiang Mai this week, offering free flu shots to people over 50.
Deputy Gov. Saranyu Methongkam and Ladda Sae Li, chief
of the Social Security Office, opened the campaign Oct. 15 with hospital
Executive Director Dr. Dusit Srisakul.
Ladda said people enrolled in the Social Security
system and over age 50 are entitled to free flu shots each year.
The “Healthy Thailand” campaign also offers free health
checks and medical advice. The goal is to keep people from developing
illnesses or chronic diseases and keep them productive members of society.
The free vaccinations are available through Dec. 31.
Chiang Mai
Deputy Governor Saranyu Methongkam welcomes participants to the opening
ceremony.
Yi Peng lanterns allowed 6 hours Oct. 31, Nov. 1
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The airport
safety zone covers six kilometers in all directions, plus 15 kilometers on
each side of its airplane flight path.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Mai’s famed “Yi Peng” lanterns can be flown only
six hours each night of this year’s Loy Krathong Festival to prevent
interference with airport operations.
Chiang Mai International Airport Deputy Director
Mathayat Kraisorn Thongsri said Oct. 9 that the floating lanterns will be
allowed between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m. Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Those planning to fly
lanterns must request permission before Oct. 16.
Five districts, however, have banned any lantern-flying
in numerous subdistricts to protect incoming and outgoing flights. Included
are all of Muang and Hang Dong districts; Khua Mung, Don Kaew, Tha Wang Tan
and Nong Phueng in Saraphi; Don Kaeo, Rim Tai and Mae Sa in Mae Rim; and
Nong Han in San Sai District.
The airport safety zone covers six kilometers in all
directions, plus 15 kilometers on each side of its airplane flight path.
Mathayat said airport officers will patrol the grounds
hourly searching for lanterns both in flight and on the ground and frequent
warnings and updates will be given to pilots.
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Chiang Mai’s
famed “Yi Peng” lanterns can be flown only six hours each night of this
year’s Loy Krathong Festival to prevent interference with airport
operations.
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Chiang Mai
International Airport Deputy Director Mathayat Kraisorn Thongsri said Oct. 9
that the floating lanterns will be allowed between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m. Oct. 31
and Nov. 1.
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Bangkok ‘10-day-10-night Vegetarian Festival’ in Chinatown kicks off Oct 17
Bangkok’s
Chinatown Yaowarat will celebrate the Vegetarian Festival from Oct 16 to 25
Bangkok’s Chinatown also known as Yaowarat will
celebrate its Vegetarian Festival from Oct 16 to 25 in a COVID-19 control
manner.
Teeradet Sintopruangchai, chief of a committee
organizing the festival, said that the festival would be officially opened
on Oct 17 at the Chinatown Gate. There will be the processions of Guanyin as
well as dragon and lion dances.
Besides, a statue of WahToh, God of Medicine, will be
placed for people to worship amid concerns about the coronavirus disease
pandemic. There will also be demonstrations of vegetarian food cooking and
shops of delicious foods will line both sides of Yaowarat Road throughout
the ten days and ten nights of the festival.
The Vegetarian Festival in Yaowarat will be the first
festival after the government eased business and activity lockdowns earlier
imposed to control COVID-19.
The organizers of the festival will implement strict
disease control measures which will include health screening checkpoints
where visitors will have their body temperatures checked. Besides, all
visitors must use the Thaichana check-in and checkout application, wear face
masks and observe social distancing. (TNA)
Yaowarat
Vegetarian Festival would be officially opened on Oct 17 at the Chinatown
Gate.
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Chiang Mai next up for STV program
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Chiang Mai
International Airport Director Amornrat Chumsai Na Ayutthaya, members of the
Chiang Mai Aviation Business Operation Committee, airline representatives,
and government disease-control, immigration and customs officials inspected
the airport Oct. 6.
Chiang Mai Mail
Chiang Mai will be the second Thai airport to receive
international visitors traveling on the new Special Tourist Visa, with up to
400 foreigners a day allowed to arrive.
Chiang Mai International Airport Director Amornrat
Chumsai Na Ayutthaya, members of the Chiang Mai Aviation Business Operation
Committee, airline representatives, and government disease-control,
immigration and customs officials inspected the airport Oct. 6 to check its
readiness to receive the STV travelers, who will go directly from the
airport into quarantine.
Phuket on Thursday was expected to receive the first
batch of foreign tourists since March, a group of 130 Chinese nationals
traveling on Special Tourist Visas. Another flight is planned for Oct. 21.
If things go smoothly in Phuket, the STV program is
expected to be expanded to Chiang Mai, which could accept two international
flights a day with a maximum of 400 people total.
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Chiang Mai
will be the second Thai airport to receive international visitors traveling
on the new Special Tourist Visa, with up to 400 foreigners a day allowed to
arrive.
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If things go
smoothly, the STV program is expected to be expanded to Chiang Mai.
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Demolition begins on encroaching Chiang Mai forest resort
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Officials
brought in heavy machinery to tear down the five-story hotel.
Chiang Mai Mail
Chiang Mai forestry officials began the demolition of
Suvarnabhumi Resort which was encroaching on protected land in Doi Angkhang.
Kamon Nuanyai, director of the Forest Resources
Management Office 1, led the brigade of 150 government, police and forestry
officials to the 36-rai resort, the largest in the Doi Angfang area, Oct. 6.
The government has been trying for more than two years
to demolish the resort for encroaching on public land.
Following its conviction in the Fang Provincial Court,
officials began seizing property left inside the resort and brought in heavy
machinery to tear down the five-story hotel.
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Officials
look on as the destruction of the offending resort finally begins.
%20CMM%20Oct%206%2002%20Officers%20raid%20the%20Suvarnabhumi%20Resort%20in%20Doi%20Ang%20Khang%20(3).jpg)
A brigade of
150 government, police and forestry officials converged on the 36-rai
resort, the largest in the Doi Angfang area.
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Following
its conviction in the Fang Provincial Court, officials began seizing
property left inside the resort so they could start to tear it down.
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Drinking buddies suspected in Chiang Mai vagrant’s murder
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Chiang Mai
police examine the body.
Chiang Mai Mail
Chiang Mai police are searching for drinking buddies of
a homeless man found murdered under the Mae Rim where he lived.
Anan Duangmalai, 58, was discovered by fishermen lying
face down in the grass under the Ping River Bridge in Ban Sang, Khilek
Subdistrict Oct. 6. He had been hacked in the head with what is believed to
be a machete.
Anan was last seen in town drinking with a couple of
men who, police said, likely returned to the “home” Anan had made under the
bridge, complete with mattress and dressing table.
Village headman Kusol Khamsai, 58, said Anan was a good
man who never was known to have problems with anyone. He chose to live under
the bridge after divorcing his wife six years ago and selling his house.
Chiang Mai Provincial Police deputy commander Pol. Col.
Sukhon Sri-Arun said the men with whom Anan had been drinking in town are
the prime suspects in the killing. They have vanished.
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Forensic
officers inspect the home Anan had made under the bridge, complete with
mattress and dressing table.
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Anan
Duangmalai was discovered by fishermen lying face down in the grass under
the Ping River Bridge in Ban Sang, Khilek Subdistrict Oct. 6.
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Chiang Rai resort turns to quarantining to survive
The Wiang
Inn Riverside Hotel has no choice but to join the Local Quarantine (LC)
program because there are no foreign tourists and the income from domestic
tourism is negligible.
Chiang Mai Mail
A Chiang Rai luxury hotel is going the route of many
resorts, turning their business into state quarantine centers for the
trickle of foreign tourists starting to arrive in Thailand this month.
Ruangchai Jitsakul, managing director of the Wiang Inn
Riverside Hotel next to Mae Kok River in Muang District, said Chiang Rai has
a dearth of quarantine facilities. The province has had about 700 Thais and
Burmese expats return from abroad.
The government only pays quarantine hotels 1,000 baht a
day for each person, which includes three meals. But even that small amount
of revenue is more than hotel is getting now, he said.
The resort is spread over 80 rai outside Muang Chiang
Rai and has nine stand-alone buildings, which are conducive to quarantine
facilities.
The hotel will remain open for regular tourists, he
said.
Ruangchai, a local car dealer, also owns the Wiang Inn
Downtown Hotel in Chiang Rai which has just opened for tourists after being
closed for months.
“Usually, my hotels targeted 80 percent foreigners and
20 percent Thais,” he said. “So, we have been really affected. Hotel owners
having not much money are definitely facing serious problems. I accept that
now we don’t see a way out because this crisis is worse than the economic
crisis in 1997.”
Ruangchai Jitsakul,
managing director of the Wiang Inn Riverside Hotel said that this crisis is
worse than the ‘Tom Yum Gung’ economic crisis in 1997.
The Wiang
Inn Riverside Hotel is spread over 80 rai outside Muang Chiang Rai and has
nine stand-alone buildings, which are conducive to quarantine facilities.
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Chiang Mai celebrates Loy Krathong-Yi Peng Festival Oct 31-Nov 1; limits lanterns
Chiang Mai
is preparing celebrations for the upcoming Loy Krathong and Yi Peng Festival
from Oct 31- Nov 1.
Chiang Mai
has issued an announcement to restrict lanterns release in the sky to
prevent danger or damage to Chiang Mai airport, communities and public
members.
Chiang Mai province announced
restrictions on launching sky lanterns and smoked lanterns during the
upcoming Loy Krathong and Yi Peng Festival from Oct 31- Nov 1 for aviation
safety.
Chiang Mai Deputy Governor, Rathapol Naradisorn said a
provincial announcement had been issued to prevent danger or damage from
lantern floating to Chiang Mai airport, communities and public members.
The traditional activity to launch sky lanterns can be
done at the places, approved by district chiefs. Organizers must seek prior
permission 15 days in advance, according to the announcement.
Time restriction has been imposed to ensure safety.
Celebrants can launch the lanterns overnight on Oct 31 and Nov1 from 7 p.m.
to 1 a.m.
Smoke lanterns can be released on Oct 31 from 10am to
noon.
Violators are subject to a maximum jail term of three
years and/or a fine of not over 60,000 baht. (TNA)
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Chiang Mai’s Maya mall holds Tak Bat Devo ceremony
Chiang Mai
Deputy Governor Saranyu Meethongkham (5th from left) with Chang Phueak Mayor
Boontham Srikhamul and mall Assistant Manager Sarayut Thongrompho open the
Tak Bat Devo ceremony.
Chiang Mai Mail
Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center marked the end of
Buddhist Lent by inviting 149 monks to receive alms from its employees and
the public in Chiang Mai.
Organized with Chang Phueak Subdistrict, the Oct. 3 Tak
Bat Devo ceremony opened with Chiang Mai Deputy Gov. Saranyu Meethongkham,
Chang Phueak Mayor Boontham Srikhamul, and mall Assistant Manager Sarayut
Thongrompho leading the offerings.
Tak Bat Devo, derived from the Sanskrit word "Devorohana,"
is celebrated at the same time as Auk Phansa, the end of Buddhist Lent.
Usually centered around a temple on a hillside, monks who’ve been in their
rains retreat for three months of Lent emerge in a procession of golden
gowns down the hill depicting the path Buddha took down a celestial stairway
made of silver, gold and crystal.
At Maya, there were three parades, one of monks and two
others of angels and devils.
According to ancient tales, Buddha returned to his home
in Kapilavastu seven years after achieving Nirvana and becoming the
Enlightened One. At the start of Lent that year, in remembrance of his
mother, Buddha ascended to the heavens to deliver a sermon to his mother.
There he resided for three months.
On the first day of the waxing moon of the eleventh
lunar month – Oct. 3 this year – Buddha returned to throngs of angels,
disciples and followers who received him with offerings of food and other
sacred items. Followers repeated his return in following years during a
ceremony that has come to represent the Buddhist belief in reincarnation as
much as its historical significance.
Chiang Mai
Deputy Governor Saranyu Meethongkham and others offer alms to revered monks.
The three
world parade (angels, humans and hell) marches to Wat Jed Yod.
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Japanese-run cannabis oil production factory raided in Chiang Mai
National
police arrested a Japanese national and four Thais during the raid of an
end-to-end cannabis oil production facility in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai Mail
National police arrested a Japanese national and four
Thais during the raid of an end-to-end cannabis oil production facility in
Chiang Mai.
A team of Bangkok, Special Division 191 and Chiang Mai
Provincial police, led by deputy national police chief Pol. Gen. Manu Mekmok
and officials from the Japanese embassy, arrested Katsuhisa Komiya, 41, and
four unidentified Thais at a three-story commercial building on Mahidol Road
in Muang District Oct. 3.
Each floor served as a production stage for the
production of cannabis oil, with trees grown on the third floor and leaves
processed on the second. More than 100 trees were seized as well as
reagents, oil-extraction equipment, CBD e-cigarettes and oil, and more than
1,000 packing boxes.
Police said the end-to-end facility produced cannabis
oil and e-cigarettes for online sale via Twitter, with most customers living
in Japan, although with some in Thailand.
The investigation is continuing into the trade and
transportation routes and others in the international network in both
countries.
More than
100 trees were seized as well as reagents, oil-extraction equipment, CBD
e-cigarettes and oil, and more than 1,000 packing boxes.
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Chiang Mai students cheated by bogus online ticket scalper
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Four Chiang
Mai students who thought they were buying sold-out concert seats from an
online ticket scalper instead were cheated out of their cash.
Chiang Mai Mail
Four Chiang Mai students who thought they were buying
sold-out concert seats from an online ticket scalper instead were cheated
out of their cash.
The unnamed youths transferred 3,800 baht to a Twitter
account, foolishly trusting the account was genuine. Instead, as soon as the
money was transferred, they were blocked and their money gone.
The youths had wanted to attend Chiang Yai Fest 2 Nov.
20-22, but the concert was sold out. They found a Twitter account by the
name of “Num” offering the ducats for 950 baht each.
The students took their bank-transfer record to police
and filed a complaint.
5 arrested; meth, heroin seized at Phrae checkpoint
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Provincial
Police Region 5 commander Pol. Lt. Gen. Prachuap Wongsuk and Maj. Gen.
Wanchai Suwannasiri, deputy commander of the Office of the Narcotics Control
Board Region 5, announced they arrested five people and seized
methamphetamines and heroin at a Phrae checkpoint.
Chiang Mai Mail
Northern police arrested five people and seized
methamphetamines and heroin at a Phrae checkpoint.
Provincial Police Region 5 commander Pol. Lt. Gen.
Prachuap Wongsuk and Maj. Gen. Wanchai Suwannasiri, deputy commander of the
Office of the Narcotics Control Board Region 5, announced results of the
operation in Den Chai District Oct. 1.
In addition to the arrests of the unidentified
suspects, police recovered 1.3 million ya ba pills and 3.5 kilograms of
heroin.
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Police also
seized the suspects’ vehicles.
‘Wow Africa’ marks full reopening of Chiang Mai Zoo
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Officials
sound the horn to open the exhibit.
Chiang Mai Mail
The Chiang Mai Zoo celebrated its full reopening with
the launch of a new exhibit highlighting Africa's wildlife.
The Zoological Park Organization took limits off its
six affiliated zoos nationwide Oct. 1, but retained strict sanitary and
safety standards for tourists.
Chiang Mai’s zoo took the opportunity to open Wow
Africa, which puts people, not the animals, in cages – in the form of a
service car – to see giraffes, zebras, ostriches, waterbucks, and
springboks, all walking free and up close.
ZPO Director Suriya Saengphong and Zoo Director
Wuttichai Muangman said Sept. 30 the Chiang Mai Aquarium also now has fully
reopened, showing tourists animals from “the bottom of the sea to the top of
the mountain.”
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The exhibit
allows people in service cars to see giraffes, zebras, ostriches,
waterbucks, and springboks, all walking free and up close.
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Zoo staff
and management celebrate the reopening.
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Wheelchair-bound lottery seller rolls through East on quest for customers
Bielae Biepha steers his
wheelchair along Thailand’s eastern region selling lottery tickets.
Pattaya Mail
A Chiang Mai man is steering his wheelchair dozens of
kilometers a week to sell lottery tickets in the Eastern region of Thailand.
Bielae Biepha, 36, isn’t content to stay in one place.
And despite not being able to drive, he uses his arms to push his own
wheelchair 40 kilometers between downtown Chonburi and Samut Prakan looking
for ticket buyers.
On Sept. 29, Bielae was spotted on Sukhumvit Road
entering Bangsaen Beach. Cars actually pulled over to buy tickets from him.
Bielae suffers from myasthenia gravis, a long-term
neuromuscular disease that leads to varying degrees of skeletal muscle
weakness. While it has left him unable to walk, his arms and hands remain
rock solid.
He was born and raised in Chiang Mai, but was unable to
find work there and moved to Chonburi a year ago. Much of the money he makes
selling lottery tickets Bielae sends home to his mother.
Customer Ponthakorn Boonsom, 42, said he stopped his
car because he admired the effort Bielae makes to earn a living and support
himself and his family.
Passersby stop to buy
lottery tickets from Bielae along Sukhumvit highway in Chonburi Province.
Enduring the extreme heat
of the sun, Bielae rolls his wheelchair along the highway peddling his
lottery tickets.
Motorists pull up alongside
Bielae hoping to buy a winning lottery ticket.
Ponthakorn
Boonsom said he was touched by Biele’s efforts and determination, he stopped
to buy 5 lottery tickets.
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Six Zoos in Thailand open gates for visitors in October after long closure
Chiang Mai
Zoo will welcome visitors to its outdoor and indoor sections as well as the
aquarium.
Six zoos will resume their
full operations on Thursday after temporary closures due to COVID-19.
Director of the Zoological Organization of Thailand
Suriya Saengpong opened an event to restart the activities at Chiang Mai Zoo
on Wednesday.
Along with others operated by the Zoological
Organization, the Zoo will welcome visitors to its outdoor and indoor
sections as well as the aquarium.
Suriya said that he expected 2,000 to 5,000 visitors at
Chiang Mai Zoo each day.
Social distancing and disease prevention measures will
be enforced throughout the zoo, he said. (TNA)
Director of
the Zoological Organization of Thailand Suriya Saengpong opened an event to
restart the activities at Chiang Mai Zoo.
About 2,000
to 5,000 visitors are expected at Chiang Mai Zoo each day.
Chiang Mai International Airport opens new parking garage
The new modern parking
garage at Chiang Mai International Airport is fully equipped with state of
the art security and parking systems.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Mai International Airport officially opened a
new multi-story parking garage to accommodate more than 1,300 cars.
Airport Director Amornruk Chumsai Na Ayutthaya presided
over the Sept. 28 opening ceremony with Chiang Mai Deputy Gov. Weeraphan
Dee-on, Airports of Thailand officials and lot manager of CAPS Company.
The 10-floor car park covers 40,000 sq. meters with
capacity of 1,317 vehicles. It offers automatic ticketing and barrier gate
controls, counting system for all vehicles entering the building, license
plate recording and analysis, availability meter, and vehicle-locating
system.
The parking fee will continue to be 20 baht for up to
an hour with a maximum 200 baht for up to 24 hours. There is on-site
security around the clock.
Government and airport
officials gather for a group photograph at the opening ceremony.
The 10-floor car park
covers 40,000 sq. meters with capacity of 1,317 vehicles.
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Trail runners challenged at Doi Inthanon Oct. 30-Nov. 1
Chiang Mai Mail
Trail runners are challenged to cross the “roof of
Thailand” over two days as Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc comes to Chiang Mai
Oct. 30-Nov. 1.
The “Thailand by UTMB” race offers trail runners four
punishing courses covering elevations from 400 to 2,100 meters and distances
of 10 to 175 kilometers.
More than 60 of the world’s top trail runners,
including America’s Meredith Edwards and Jason Schlarb, had registered
before the coronavirus pandemic in February. While the event will likely be
a Thailand-only event now, amateur Thai runners are invited to join in. A
test event in February drew 1,000 people.
The full route showcases the local biodiversity and the
forest changes with the gradual elevation climbing to 2.1 kilometers above
sea level.
The journey will take runners to experience the
peaceful Hmong, Pga-Gan-Yaw, and Karenic tribe ways of life, the
awe-inspiring views of terraced paddy fields, and areas brightened by golden
ears of rice, as well as the picturesque montane farms.
The start/finish line is at Doi Inthanon National Park
Headquarters.
Thailand by UTMB will have five distance races: 175,
120, 80, 25 and 10 kilometers. Each will gain International Trail Running
Association points and Running Stones which will bypass the lottery for
entry to UTMB.
Each race takes place in one single stage, at an
undefined pace within a time limit.
The Inthanon 6: 175 km. for about 7,600 meters of
height gain, starts from Doi Inthanon headquarters, in semi-autonomy and in
48 hours maximum.
The Inthanon 5: around 120 km. for about 5,400 meters
of height gain, starts from Doi Inthanon headquarters, in semi-autonomy and
in 30 hours maximum.
The Inthanon 4: around 80 km. for about 4,000 meters of
height gain, starts from Doi Inthanon headquarters, in semi-autonomy and in
20 hours maximum.
The Inthanon 1: around 25 km. for about 800 meters of
height gain, starts from Doi Inthanon headquarters, in semi-autonomy and in
seven hours maximum.
The Inthanon 10K: around 10 km. for about 500 meters of
height gain, starts from Doi Inthanon headquarters, in semi-autonomy and in
four hours max.
Register at Running Connect.com or call 062-345-4122.
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Thai man pulls gun on store clerk after being told to wear mask
A CCTV
camera photo shows Settapol entering the store without wearing a face mask.
Chiang Mai Mail
A man pulled a gun on a convenience store clerk in Nan
province northern Thailand after being asked to wear a facemask.
The suspect, identified only as “Settapol”, 45, was
captured on video threatening the clerk at a PTT gas station mini-mart Sept.
25 after he was refused entry due to not wearing a mask.
Settapol argued, then went back to his car and got a
gun, pointed it at the staffer and left.
Na Noi police issued a summons for Settapol to
surrender within seven days for carrying a firearm in public without reason.
He also must surrender the weapon for a license check.
Not happy at having been
asked to wear a face mask, Settapol threatened the clerk with a hand gun.
Chiang Mai Zoo celebrates famed panda’s birthday
Lin Hui proudly struts
around her cool nine-tiered ice birthday cake celebrating her 19th birthday.
Chiang Mai Mail
The Chiang Mai Zoo celebrated the 19th birthday of
panda Lin Hui, offering her an ice cake filled with fruit as a gift.
Please Support Pattaya Mail
China’s local Consul-General Wu Zhiwu joined zoo
Director Wuttichai Muangmun Sept. 28 for the party with panda fans
participating in the celebration. They sang “Happy Birthday” to her and gave
her the nine-tiered ice cake, filled with fruit, which she enjoyed.
Lin Hui climbs onto her
cake enjoying the ice cake filled with fruit.
Lin Hui arrived in Chiang Mai on loan from China at the
age 2 as the goodwill ambassador. She is now healthy and weighs 125
kilograms.
Meanwhile, a flower-laying memorial ceremony was held
for male giant panda Chuang Mangrum, which died last year. The flowers will
stay on display through Oct. 8
Chuang Mangrum, also on loan from China, were taken
from southwest China’s Sichuan Province in 2003.
Negotiations are under way to send a replacement panda
to the Chiang Mai Zoo. It is expected the deal will be reached before the
end of the contract to allow Lin Hui to stay in Thailand until 2023.
Lin Hui arrived in Chiang
Mai on loan from China at the age 2 as the goodwill ambassador. She is now a
healthy 125-kilogram teenager.
Wu Zhiwu, Consul General of
the People's Republic of China in Chiang Mai and Wuttichai Muangmun,
director of the Chiang Mai Zoo place bouquets to wish Lin Hui a happy 19th
birthday.
Wu Zhiwu,
Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Chiang Mai also signed
the book wishing Lin Hui a happy birthday.
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Russian arrested for Doi Suthep campsite burglaries
Police officers subdue the raging Russian burglar after stabbing another
officer in the face and neck with a pair of scissors.
Chiang Mai Mail
A Russian man was arrested in Doi Suthep-Pui National
Park for allegedly robbing tourists at the Chiang Mai mountain campground
for the past three months.
Identified by Thai-language media as “Cemnh Semin”, 32,
the man was spotted about 3 a.m. Sunday in the Suan Son campground. He ran
after spotting the patrol officer, who gave chase and tackled the suspect.
The two fought, with the suspect allegedly stabbing the
officer in the neck and face with a pair of scissors. The suspect suffered
back and head injuries as he was subdued by backup officers.
Thai tourists at Doi Suthep have complained for months
that they’ve awoken to find their property missing. The national park has
stepped up patrols in recent weeks, with officials expressing surprise to
find the alleged culprit was a foreign expat.
The wounded official received first aid and was
transferred to hospital.
The officer is treated for
his scissor inflicted wounds caused by the wild Russian burglar during their
vicious fight.
The injured police officer,
with the assistance of another officer, finally subdues the powerful Russian
burglar.
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U.S. ambassador breaks ground on new Chiang Mai consulate
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An artist’s
rendering of the new U.S. Consulate General building in Chiang Mai.
Nopniwat Krailerg
American Ambassador H.E. Michael George DeSombre and
Thai officials on Friday broke ground on a new consulate-general building in
Chiang Mai.
Joining the ambassador at the ceremony on Super Highway
Road in Muang District was Chiang Mai Gov. Charoenrit Sanguansat and
Wichawat Isarapakdee, assistant foreign affairs minister.
DeSombre noted that the United States opened its first
consulate-general in the northern city 70 years ago and he expects the new
building to last another 70 years.
Completion of the facility is expected in 2023, with
the project cost estimated at 8.8 billion baht. The construction will create
about 400 jobs.
The new consulate is located on 16.5 rai on Super
Highway Road with a design inspired by classic northern architecture and
landscaping and will have a pavilion and terraced gardens.
%20Sep%2025%2001%20US%20Consulate%20Chiang%20Mai%20new%20building%20ground%20breaking%20pic%202.jpg)
U.S.
Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Michael George DeSombre, accompanied by Sean K.
O’Neill, U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai, participated in the
groundbreaking ceremony at the construction site of the new U.S. Consulate,
witnessed by Wichawat Isarapakdee, Asst. Minister of Foreign Affairs; and
Chiang Mai Governor Charoenrit Sa-nguansat with Nong Phaklung Mayor Somkit
Lertkiatdamrong.
%20Sep%2025%2001%20US%20Consulate%20Chiang%20Mai%20new%20building%20ground%20breaking%20pic%203.jpg)
VIP guests
inspect a scale model of the new U.S. Consulate.
%20Sep%2025%2001%20US%20Consulate%20Chiang%20Mai%20new%20building%20ground%20breaking%20pic%204.jpg)
Honorable
guests participate in the groundbreaking ceremony.
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Chiang Mai group revives push to decriminalize prostitution in Thailand
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The Empower Foundation is once again campaigning for Thailand to withdraw the Anti-Prostitution Act.
Nopniwat Krailerg
A Chiang Mai group hopes to gather 10,000 signatures on
a petition to pressure the government into decriminalizing prostitution.
The Empower Foundation, which supports sex workers, is
urging authorities to remove all penalties for selling sex, saying the 1960
law that made prostitution illegal invites corruption and exploitation.
“Although we work in legal entertainment venues, we are
the people considered breaking the law because of the Anti-Prostitution
Act,” said Empower Coordinator Thanta Laowilawanyakul. “The law was created
to help people in this industry develop their lives, but police only go
after the workers (not the employers) and don’t help them at all.”
Thanta claimed that 80 percent of the women working in
the sex industry are mothers or the breadwinner for the entire family. It’s
also a very transient business, with most women working in it for a short
time, often due to a financial crisis. However, if they are arrested, they
are branded for life with a criminal record, she said.
“Walking away from this point is difficult. If they
have a criminal background, it’s hard for them to apply for a job or start a
new life,” Thanta said.
According to the Royal Thai Police Office, more than
24,000 people were arrested, prosecuted and fined for sex work-related
offenses in Thailand last year.
Empower collected 1,000 signatures at the massive
anti-government protest on Sept. 19, an event also staged to demand more
rights and better protection for Thailand’s LGBT population. But even if the
group gathers the targeted 10,000 names, changing the 1960 law, which was
amended in 1996 to close loopholes and gave police increased powers to
prosecute, will be nearly impossible to change. It’s been tried repeatedly.
%20Sep%2024%2002%20Sex%20workers%20petition%20for%20legalization%20pic%202.jpg)
More than
24,000 people were arrested, prosecuted and fined for sex work-related
offenses in Thailand last year
Thammasat University researcher Mataluk Orungrot wrote
in 2018 that the law doesn’t work because of the chronic corruption of Thai
police. Brothels in the form of massage parlors, karaoke bars and
gentlemen’s clubs can pay off the police and still reap a windfall.
Rangsit University criminology expert Jomdet Trimek has
said repeatedly over the years that bribes start from 200,000 baht a month
and reach as much as 400,000 for venues trafficking in illegal migrants from
neighboring countries.
The government long has known how much it’s losing in
tax revenues. In 2003, the Justice Ministry held an unprecedented public
hearing on a government proposal to legalize prostitution and register sex
workers. Representatives from the government, sex industry, non-government
organizations and academics all laid out their cases for how legalization
could benefit human rights, legal, economic, cultural, social and moral
problems.
%20Sep%2024%2002%20Sex%20workers%20petition%20for%20legalization%20pic%203.jpg)
“Although we
work in legal entertainment venues, we are the people considered breaking
the law because of the Anti-Prostitution Act,” said Empower Coordinator Thanta
Laowilawanyakul.
In June this year, Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, an MP
with the tiny Thai Civilized Party, announced another attempt to get a Lower
House committee to consider both legalizing prostitution and sex toys, all
in the name of combatting rape. He tries every year and every year it goes
nowhere.
That’s not to say the government hasn’t taken notice of
Empower’s petition. A spokesman for the Social Development and Human
Security Ministry women’s affairs section said it was reviewing the
Anti-Prostitution Act with an eye toward amendments that could be put up for
public debate next year.
A major obstacle toward changing the law is the massive
corruption that illegal prostitution fuels. Police get rich off taking
bribes from go-go bars, massage parlors and brothels, even accepting cash to
allow underage prostitution to continue. At the same time, they collect
fines off the sex workers employed by those paying the bribes.
%20Sep%2024%2002%20Sex%20workers%20petition%20for%20legalization%20pic%204.jpg)
The Empower
Foundation is hoping to gather 10,000 signatures on a petition to pressure
the government into decriminalizing prostitution.
A 2014 report by a United Nations anti-AIDS agency
estimated Thailand has 123,530 sex workers in Thailand but Empower and other
social-welfare groups peg it as closer to 300,000, many of them migrants
from neighboring countries or even underage children.
“Sex workers are lawfully registered in Germany,
Amsterdam and Singapore. Why not Thailand?” Thanta asked. “The answer is no
because the government thinks it will ruin the country’s reputation.
Meanwhile, Germany has over 700,000 prostitutes, yet the profession is not
stigmatized.”
%20Sep%2024%2002%20Sex%20workers%20petition%20for%20legalization%20pic%205.jpg)
Thanta claimed that 80
percent of the women working in the sex industry are mothers or the
breadwinner for the family.
%20Sep%2024%2002%20Sex%20workers%20petition%20for%20legalization%20pic%206.jpg)
Police go after the
employees and not the employers.
%20Sep%2024%2002%20Sex%20workers%20petition%20for%20legalization%20pic%207.jpg)
A 2014 report by a
United Nations anti-AIDS agency estimated Thailand has 123,530 sex workers
in Thailand but Empower and other social-welfare groups peg it as closer to
300,000, many of them migrants from neighboring countries or even underage
children.
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Relocated Thai passport office opens in Chiang Mai convention center
%20CMM%2023%2001%20The%20Chiang%20Mai%20Temporary%20Passport%20Office%20Official%20opening%20(1).jpg)
Minister of
Foreign Affairs Advisor Chaisiri Anaman (center), along with Department of
Consular Affairs Deputy Director-General Narong Boonsatheanwong (2nd left),
and Chiang Mai Governor Charoenrit Sanguansat (right) cut the ribbon during
the opening ceremony of the Chiang Mai Temporary Passport Office.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Foreign Affairs Ministry officials were on hand to
officially open Chiang Mai’s new passport office.
Narong Boonsatheanwong, Deputy Director-General of the
Department of Consular Affairs, along with ministry advisor Chaisiri Anaman
and Chiang Mai Gov. Charoenrit Sanguansat cut the ribbon on the office
inside the Ruang Phung building at the International Convention and
Exhibition Center Sept. 23.
The passport office – open since 2005 – was relocated
from Chiang Mai City Hall to the convention center. It is open Monday,
Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Services available include applications for all types
of Thai passports, legalization and assistance for Thais abroad.
%20CMM%2023%2001%20The%20Chiang%20Mai%20Temporary%20Passport%20Office%20Official%20opening%20(2).jpg)
Minister of
Foreign Affairs Advisor Chaisiri Anaman welcomes dignitaries and guests to
the event.
%20CMM%2023%2001%20The%20Chiang%20Mai%20Temporary%20Passport%20Office%20Official%20opening%20(3).jpg)
Artists
perform traditional Thai dances at the opening ceremony.
%20CMM%2023%2001%20The%20Chiang%20Mai%20Temporary%20Passport%20Office%20Official%20opening%20(4).jpg)
Services
available include applications for all types of Thai passports, legalization
and assistance for Thais abroad.
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Chiang Mai hill tribe father who wanted son kills newborn daughter
Anupap points to the spot
where he killed and buried his 7-day old infant daughter.
Nopniwat Krailerg
A hill tribe man who killed his newborn daughter because he had wanted a son dug up the infants remains outside Chiang Mai Wednesday.
Anupap Panya, 45, led Chang Phueak police to the spot
in the forest outside Mai San Khong village in Luang Nuea Subdistrict of Doi
Saket District. The Lisu hill tribe gift shop owner also pointed police to
the hoe he used to bury the 7-day-old baby.
Police said Anupap admitted killing the girl because he
already had two daughters and had wanted a son to carry on the family name
and take over his Thanin Market business when he grows up.
The baby was born a week ago and, since coming home,
his wife and he had argued repeatedly. Without her knowing, he took the baby
to the car, poured toilet cleaner down her throat and buried her.
The mother called police to report the child missing.
Forensic police inspect the
remains of the murdered infant girl.
Police
converge into the forest to investigate the scene of the horrific crime.
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Lanna Expo continues through Sept. 27 in Chiang Mai
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Chiang Mai
Gov. Charoenrit Sanguansat and honored guests collectively perform the
opening ceremony for Lanna Expo 2020 in Chiang Mai.
By Nopniwat Krailerg
Three provinces brought their homemade goodies to
exhibit and sell at Lanna Expo 2020 to promote trade and investment
connections in the Upper North.
Chiang Mai Gov. Charoenrit Sanguansat said the event,
running through Sept. 27 at the International Convention and Exhibition
Center, invites people to “live well, eat well, live a new normal.”
Participating are merchants and businesses from Lamphun,
Lampang, Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai, which are hoping to build on success
and promote the potential of businesses and increase job creation.
Charoenrit said the event will help small businesses
expand their markets for their products and services, both domestically and
abroad.
The exhibition is split into zones with booths for
displaying and selling furniture and decorative items, health and beauty
products, herbal lifestyle products, fashion and textiles, souvenirs, food
and beverage and agriculture.
There also is a Lanna handicraft exhibition showcasing
the work of Lanna heritage, including demonstrations of indigo dye-powder
printing, wicker, colored Sa paper on umbrellas, and blowing mulberry paper,
Lanna silverware, and scripture wrappers. Keychains from woven fabric, lamps
and lanterns are also featured.
In addition, the We Love Chiangmai Group has brought
special promotions from the hotel.
%20CMM%20Sep%2020%2001%20Lanna%20Expo%202020%20%20(2).jpg)
Dignitaries
and honored guests sit back and enjoy the opening show.
%20CMM%20Sep%2020%2001%20Lanna%20Expo%202020%20%20(3).jpg)
Fashion and
textiles feature at the Lanna Expo 2020 in Chiang Mai.
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Opium growing continues rapid slide in Chiang Mai’s Omkoi District
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Army Maj. Gen. Suebsakul Buarawong tells the press that during 2020, the military has
found only 5.1 rai of land in Yang Peang and Mae Tuen subdistricts devoted
to opium growing, a decrease from 24.6 rai in 2019 and 908 rai in 2017.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Mai’s Omkoi District has seen a tremendous drop
opium growing, but trafficking of other drugs remains a problem, an army
security meeting heard.
Army Maj. Gen. Suebsakul Buarawong of the 33rd Military
Circle chaired the Sept. 22 meeting at the Green Lake Resort Hotel aimed at
reviewing progress on narcotics and human trafficking.
He said that during 2020, the military has found only
5.1 rai of land in Yang Peang and Mae Tuen subdistricts devoted to opium
growing, a decrease from 24.6 rai in 2019 and 908 rai in 2017.
The army also has pushed residents to surrender opium
seeds, with locals complying to turning over 36 kilograms of seeds, up from
23 kg. in all of last year.
Drug seizures in the district continue apace, however.
Suebsakul said there had been 237 arrests so far this year with seizures of
33,110 methamphetamine pills, 11.5 kg. of raw opium, 231 grams of heroin, 10
kg. of marijuana, and 25 g. of crystal meth.
%20CMM%2022%2001%20Army%20says%20opium%20cultivation%20in%20Omkoi%20has%20dropped%20%20(2).jpg)
Army Maj.
Gen. Suebsakul Buarawong of the 33rd Military Circle chairs the Sept. 22
meeting at the Green Lake Resort Hotel.
%20CMM%2022%2001%20Army%20says%20opium%20cultivation%20in%20Omkoi%20has%20dropped%20%20(3).jpg)
Chiang
Mai’s Omkoi District has seen a tremendous drop opium growing, but
trafficking of other drugs remains a problem.
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Stricter enforcement, better education needed to control PM 2.5, Chiang Mai governor says
%20CMM%20Sep%2020%2002%20Chiang%20Mai%20held%20prevention%20meeting%20of%20PM%202.5%20pic%20(1).jpg)
Chiang Mai
Gov. Charoenrit Sanguansat and government officials begin the seminar to
find ways to resolve Chiang Mai’s chronic air pollution.
Chiangmai Mail
Authorities will have to be more vigilant when
enforcing exiting laws and educating the public if Chiang Mai hopes to
resolve its chronic air pollution, Gov. Charoenrit Sanguansat said.
Speaking at a Sept. 20 seminar, the governor said more
patrols and better systems to detect forest and farming fires are needed if
Chiang Mai ever hopes to prevent a resurgence of dangerous micro-dust, or PM
2.5, pollution that chokes the North every year from February through April.
More effective public relations and education efforts
also are needed, with farmers taught alternative ways to clear their fields.
The seminar focused on integrated management and
establishing a network of cooperating partners. Participants listened to
suggestions, guidelines and plans for solving problems long-term.
Those attending were from relevant government agencies
and representatives from local government organizations in all 25 districts.
%20CMM%20Sep%2020%2002%20Chiang%20Mai%20held%20prevention%20meeting%20of%20PM%202.5%20pic%20(2).jpg)
Hundreds of
interested officials from all 25 districts attended the meeting.
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Chiang Mai Youth Space opens with cultural shows
%20CMM%20Sep%2020%2003%20Chiang%20Mai%20youth%20space%20unite%20and%20share%20the%20culture%20%20(1).jpg)
Deputy Gov.
Wirun Phandhevi presides over the opening of the Khuang La-On Chiang Mai
Project,
Chiangmai Mail
Youths from across the province showed off local arts
and culture at the Chiang Mai Youth Space opening.
Deputy Gov. Wirun Phandhevi opened the Sept. 20
celebration at the Three Kings Monument, where schools and youth shelters
were invited to illustrate and recount the culture of Chiang Mai.
The Chiang Mai Department of Child and Youth Affairs
organized performances from the Chiang Mai Outstanding Youth Club,
Wattanothai Payap School, Child and Youth Council of Rong Wua Daeng San,
Child and Youth Council of Nam Phrae, Phatthana Embrace studio, Ban Pae
Child and Youth Council.
There also were booths for children and youth
exhibitions.
Wirun said the Youth Space is intended to keep local
culture and heritage alive to be passed on to future generations.
%20CMM%20Sep%2020%2003%20Chiang%20Mai%20youth%20space%20unite%20and%20share%20the%20culture%20%20(2).jpg)
Youths show
off their musical talent by playing local instruments.
%20CMM%20Sep%2020%2003%20Chiang%20Mai%20youth%20space%20unite%20and%20share%20the%20culture%20%20(3).jpg)
Exhibition
booths are set up, including this one demonstrating how to make local lamps.
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Long Live Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of The Queen Mother
Loving Mother of the Thai Nation
August 12 is a very special day throughout the Thai Kingdom, as it is the
day the entire nation celebrates the auspicious occasion of Her Majesty
Queen Sirikit of the Ninth Reign’s Birthday. The day also is celebrated
throughout the Kingdom as Mother’s Day. The management and staff of the
Chiangmai Mail join Thai people and many others from around the world to
present our loyalty and devotion to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of the Ninth
Reign and best wishes for a most Happy Birthday and a continued long life on
the occasion of her 88th birthday Friday, August 12. (Photo courtesy Bureau
of Royal Household)
Adapted from a Story by Peter
Cummins
Photos Courtesy of the Bureau of the Royal Household
Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of the Ninth Reign is the
daughter of H.H. Prince Chandaburi Suranath (M.C. Nakkhat Mongkol Kitiyakara)
and his consort Mom Luang Bua Kitiyakara (nee Mom Luang Bua Snidvongs).
Prince Chandaburi Suranath was the third son of H.R.H. Prince Chandaburi
Suranath and H.S.H. Princess Absarasman Kitiyakara.
She was born on August 12, 1932. The year 1932 is a
significant one: it was the year when constitutional monarchy was introduced
into Thailand. Her father was a prominent and capable Major-General in the
Thai Army at the time of the constitutional change. He left the army and
went to serve as First Secretary at the Thai Legation in Washington D.C. As
HM the Queen was then still a little child, she remained in Bangkok in the
charge of her relatives. She did not see her parents again until their
return home.
She attended the Kindergarten class at Rajini School.
But subsequently went to St. Francis Xavier School at Samsen District in
Bangkok in order to be nearer to home. Her father later on became Thai
Minister to France, to Denmark and ultimately Ambassador to the Court of St.
James. Her Majesty accompanied him and continued her general education in
the three countries and lastly in Switzerland.
In this
Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, photo released by The Royal Household Bureau, Her
Majesty Queen Sirikit of the Ninth Reign, center, is visited by her
children, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun and
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at the Chitralada Palace on the Queen's
86th birthday. (The Royal Household Bureau via AP)
It was while her father was stationed in Paris that she
first met His Majesty (the late) King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was then
studying in Switzerland but went now and then to Paris. The chance meeting
in Paris ripened into friendship and understanding. When His Majesty met
with a serious motor car accident in Geneva, Switzerland and had to stay in
a hospital at Lausanne, Her Majesty was a frequent visitor. When His Majesty
was well again and left the hospital, he was graciously pleased to arrange
for Her Majesty to continue her studies at “Riante Rive”, a boarding school
in Lausanne.
On July 19, 1949 Their Majesties were quietly engaged
in Lausanne. On March 24, 1950, Their Majesties landed in Bangkok by ship
after a long absence. On April 28 of the same year, the Royal Wedding took
place at Padumawan Palace before the Queen Grandmother. As a democratic King
and Queen, Their Majesties signed their names in the Registry Book of
Marriages. His Majesty then crowned HM the Queen in conformity with Thai
tradition.
Their Majesties had four children, Princess Ubolratana,
born on April 5, 1951, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn
Bodindradebayavarangkun, born on July 28, 1952, Her Royal Highness Princess
Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, born on April 2, 1955 and Her Royal Highness
Princess Chulabhorn, born on July 4, 1957.
Their Majesties took great care in the education of
their children in order to prepare them to meet the various duties which
they had to undertake in later life. A choice had to be made between private
tutoring and sending the children to an ordinary school. Private tutoring is
a good medium for imparting knowledge, but it lacks human contact with
children of similar ages. Attendance at an ordinary school also has its
drawbacks. From experience, it would appear that teachers, pupils and even
parents are subjected to biases either favorable or unfavorable. In order to
avoid these inconveniences, His Majesty, with the entire concurrence of Her
Majesty, set up a school in the compound of Chitralada Villa. Better control
and supervision could thus be assured. The school was established and
registered in accordance with the law in November 1958. There were about 78
children in the school. The classmates of the Royal children were sons and
daughters of ordinary people of various vocations.
Her Majesty has always been very devoted to her
children. During their younger days, she used to spend as much time with
them as her duties would allow, and kept close supervision on all their
activities. When Her Majesty was in the United States of America during the
State Visit with His Majesty in 1960, a TV representative asked her what her
favorite hobby was. The reply was: “Looking after my children!”
Her Majesty
Queen Sirikit of the Ninth Reign stands by His Majesty the late King
Bhumibol Adulyadej as he waves to the crowd during celebrations of the 60th
anniversary of him becoming Thailand's King June 6, 2006. (AP Photo
/Thailand Public Relations Department, HO)
Humanitarian and Social Welfare
Her Majesty has performed many public functions. She
became President of the Thai Red Cross Society on August 12, 1956, and her
keenness in the work built up her popularity and aroused enthusiasm in the
public for the cause of the Red Cross. Towards the end of 1959, H.R.H.
Prince Nagor Svarga, who was Executive Vice-President of the Thai Red Cross
Society, died unexpectedly. Her Majesty very ably carried on the duties
which would ordinarily fall upon the Vice-President until a new
Vice-President was appointed on March 18, 1960.
Later on, in 1979, upon learning of the influx of about
40,000 Cambodian refugees into Thailand’s Trat Province, Her Majesty Queen
Sirikit of the Ninth Reign flew to the site to see the situation herself.
Then in her capacity as President of the Thai Red Cross Society, Her Majesty
set up the Khao Larn Thai Red Cross Centre to give shelter, food and medical
care to those Cambodian refugees who were mostly peasant families with small
children and unaccompanied orphans. The center became a refuge for these
displaced people for some years.
Queen Sirikit has always
been very devoted to her children.
In her role as Honorary President of the Thai Red
Cross, Queen Sirikit always gave her direct support to people in need.
Recently, she donated funds to help support the treatment of people infected
with the Chikunkunya virus, and took financial responsibility for many
patients in desperate need of intensive care. A former entertainer,
paralyzed for 7 years; a 7-year-old child with bone cancer and a 17-year-old
badly burned girl were just 3 of many victims aided by Her Majesty’s
generosity. During the disastrous floods of 2008 and the severe storms in
early 2009, She immediately ordered that packs of food, blankets, clothes
and tools to repair homes be distributed to those affected, in order to
ensure her subjects were able to recover quickly from these natural
disasters.
When His Majesty entered the monkhood in 1956, Her
Majesty became Regent during that period. She gave the oath of allegiance
before the National Assembly. She performed her duties so well and so
satisfactorily that, on the recommendation from the Government, Her Majesty
was given the title of higher distinction. She became “Somdech Phraborom
Rajininath.” Such a title is given to a Queen who has ably performed the
function of the Head of State on behalf of the King, when he was absent from
the realm or for some reason was unable to exercise his function
temporarily.
On the social side, Her Majesty accepted to become the
Honorary President of the National Council on Social Welfare of Thailand
under His Majesty’s Patronage on August 10, 1961. The organization comprises
of around 905 private and public social welfare units throughout the Kingdom
and it is now a member of the International Conference of Social Work.
The SUPPORT Foundation
The Royal rural development efforts attracted a large
number of donors whose contributions formed the basis of SUPPORT, or the
Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related
Techniques, founded in 1976 under Their Majesty’s Royal Patronage and
Chairmanship. The promotional work of the foundation has been recognized as
highly effective, particularly since SUPPORT provides outlets for local
wares and handicrafts from all regions of the Kingdom.
In 1979, the Support Foundation Chitralada Training
Center was set up to teach Thai arts and crafts to children of landless
villagers. Through this project, Her Majesty succeeded in preserving some
dying arts. At the present time, there are hundreds of thousands of poor and
needy families around the country whose livelihoods have been much improved
through Her Majesty’s SUPPORT projects.
While improving the livelihood of her people through
the SUPPORT Project, Her Majesty worked simultaneously on the conservation
of natural resources and the environment. The Highland Agricultural
Development Stations initiated by Her Majesty, Her “Forests Love Water”,
“Little House in the Big Forest” and “Sirikit Reforestation” project has
enabled people to live in harmony with nature. Forests that had been ravaged
have been replanted with useful trees and medicinal plants. Watersheds have
been restored and preventive measures put in place against forest fires.
In addition, during the past decades Her Majesty
launched many other notable environmental conservation projects, to name a
few: “Offshore Natural Rehabilitation”, “Sea Turtle Conservation”, “Metallic
Beetle Conservation”, “Lady Slipper Orchid Conservation By returning Them to
the Wilderness”, “Elephant Conservation by Releasing Them to Return to the
Forest”, and “Rehabilitation of Thai Fish, River Prawns, Mountain Frogs,
Native Fowls, etc., to Feed the People”.
On this most auspicious occasion, the management and
staff of the Pattaya Mail Media Group join the Thai people and the many
others from around the world to present our loyalty and devotion to Her
Majesty Queen Sirikit of the Ninth Reign and best wishes for a most Happy
Birthday and a continued long life on the occasion of her 87th birthday
Friday, August 12.
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Happy Birthday HRH Princess Chulabhorn Walailak
(Photo
courtesy of the Bureau of the Royal Household)
Born on July 4, 1957, Her Royal
Highness Princess Chulabhorn Walailak is the youngest sister of His Majesty
King Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun. She has two daughters, HRH
Princess Siribhachudhabhorn and HRH Princess Adityadhornkitikhun.
Princess Chulabhorn graduated from the Faculty of Science and Arts at
Kasetsart University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organic Chemistry,
First Class Honors, in 1979, following with a doctorate in 1985, being
awarded a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Organic Chemistry from Mahidol
University in July of that year, capping off a record of excellent academic
achievement.
In 1986, she was appointed as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of
Chemistry in London and was awarded the Einstein Gold Medal by the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The following year, she undertook post-doctoral studies in Germany, and
has since been a visiting professor at universities in Japan, Germany, and
the United States, as well as holding Honorary Doctorates from many
universities around the world.
Her Royal Highness is chairperson of the Working Group on the Chemistry
of Natural Products, a collaborative program between the Japanese Society
for the Promotion of Science and the National Research Council of Thailand.
HRH the Princess has received international recognition for her
scientific accomplishments, resulting in her appointment to various United
Nations posts, namely special advisor to the United Nations Environment
Program and member of the Special High-Level Council for the International
Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction of the United Nations.
As a result of her experience as a scientist, HRH the Princess became
aware of the difficulties Thai researchers have in obtaining the necessary
funding for their research and so, in 1987, she established the Chulabhorn
Research Institute to provide a new fund-raising agency for such research.
This institute now acts as a focal point for the exchange of intellectual
and other resources in Thailand, for the purpose of solving urgent problems
confronting the country in areas of health, environment, and agriculture.
As president of the Chulabhorn Research Institute, HRH the Princess
currently directs many special research projects, including the AIDS
program; a program on restoration and integrated development of the
flood-affected areas in Southern Thailand; seawater irrigation for
cultivation of economic marine species and preservation of the mangrove
forests; a rabies eradication program, with a special project for
accelerated immunization in five southern provinces in Thailand; the Light
for Life Foundation for Epilepsy, Chulalongkorn Comprehensive Epilepsy
Program; Tabtim Siam Secondary School in Surin province; and the ‘Voice of
Dharma for the Public’ Radio Station in Udon Thani province.
Through these programs HRH the Princess plays an auspicious role in
improving the environment and living standards of the villagers in a number
of Thai provinces.
Thank you HRH Princess Chulabhorn for your lifetime of dedication.
All of us at the Chiang Mai Mail
join the entire Kingdom in wishing Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn a
Most Happy Birthday on the fourth of July 2020.
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Long Live Her Majesty Queen Suthida
June 3 is a very special day throughout
the Thai Kingdom as it is the day the entire nation celebrates the
auspicious occasion of Her Majesty Queen Suthida’s Birthday. The management
and staff of the Chiang Mai Mail join the Thai people and many
others from around the world to present our loyalty and devotion to Her
Majesty Queen Suthida. Best wishes for a most Happy Birthday and a long life
on the occasion of her 42nd birthday. (Photo courtesy Bureau of
the Royal
Household)
June 3 marks the
auspicious occasion of Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana’s
42nd birthday.
Born June 3, 1978, as
Suthida Tidjai, Her Majesty is from Hat Yai. She graduated from
Hatyaiwittayalai Somboonkulkanya Middle School and Assumption University
with a bachelor’s degree in communication arts in 2000.
HM Queen Suthida held
the rank of general in the Royal Thai Army before her marriage, having been
promoted to the position in December 2016 by HM King Vajiralongkorn by royal
decree shortly after he took the throne following the death of his father,
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Before the wedding, she
was deputy commander of the King’s Own Bodyguard Regiment. The King himself
is commander of the unit, and he first designated her to the special officer
unit of Crown Prince’s Bodyguard Regiment in 2013.
HM the Queen made her
debut on Royal News, a nightly segment about HM the King and his family
aired on all Thai television channels, in May 2019, hours after her wedding.
Her Majesty Queen
Suthida has been awarded royal honors in 20 royal decrees, the first in 2012
when HM King Bhumibol awarded her the Order of the White Elephant for her
“honesty, loyalty and responsibility ... dedication and sacrifice” in
service to then HRH Prince Vajiralongkorn. The royal decree named her as
Lieutenant Colonel Suthida Vajiralongkorn.
Happy
Birthday HM Queen Suthida.
Suthida was appointed commander of
Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn’s household guard in August 2014.
On 13 October 2017 she was named a Dame
Grand Cross (First Class) of The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao,
which bestows the title Than Phu Ying. She is the first female officer to
receive this honor since 2004 and the first in the reign of King Rama X.
On 1 December 2016, she was appointed
Commander of the Special Operations Unit of the King’s Guard and promoted to
the rank of general.
On 1 June 2017, she was appointed as
acting commander of Royal Thai Aide-de-Camp Department following the
reorganization of the Royal Security Command.
She played a notably prominent role in
the sacred October 2017 funeral ceremony for the widely revered HM King
Bhumibol Adulyadej.
At a ceremony held on 1 May 2019 at
Ampornsathan Throne Hall in the Dusit Palace, His Majesty King Maha
Vajiralongkorn married Gen. Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na Ayudhya.
An announcement Wednesday, 1 May 2019
in the Royal Gazette said that in keeping with royal traditions, HM the King
is now legally married to Gen. Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na Ayudhya.
Gen Suthida was also proclaimed Queen
Suthida with all the honors and titles of the royal family.
According to an announcement published
in the Royal Gazette, as one of his first acts as King Rama X, His Majesty
King Maha Vajiralongkorn conferred upon Queen Suthida the formal title of
Her Majesty the Queen, presented her with the traditional royal regalia and
accorded her royal rank and status in keeping with royal traditions.
The Royal Gazette also stated HM the
King sought the powers of sacred forces to protect the queen.
All of us at the Chiang Mai Mail offer our humble and heartfelt wishes for long life and happiness on
this auspicious occasion of Her Majesty Queen Suthida’s birthday.
Long Live HM the Queen!
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TAT readies discount-tourism website
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Klissada
Ratanapruk, TAT Executive Director for ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific
Region.
Nopniwat Krailerg
The Tourism Authority of Thailand is preparing to offer
big discounts on hotels, restaurants and attractions in Chiang Mai to boost
domestic tourism.
Pakanan Winitchai, director of TAT’s Chiang Mai office,
told a group of local tourism industry executives July 3 that the “Chiang
Mai I Meet You” promotional site will launch July 12 after which area
businesses will be able to register to join the campaign.
TAT will subsidize the cost of vouchers to offer large
discounts on rooms, meals and tourist attractions so that hospitality
business don’t lose money by discounting.
Klissada Ratanapruk, executive director for TAT ASEAN,
South Asia and South Pacific, told the industry luncheon at the Lum Dee Tee
Kua Dang restaurant that domestic tourists are most important right now as
foreigners likely won’t be allowed back into Thailand until at least next
month and only then in very small numbers.
He said most of the 1,000 visitors per country allowed
into the country each day will come from North and Southeast Asia. He said
he hopes if the limited “travel bubbles” work and do not spark a second wave
of the coronavirus that the program might expand by the end of the year.
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Klissada
Ratanapruk, Executive Director ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific Region,
TAT greets Chiang Mai Tourism Industry representatives.
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Tourism
entrepreneurs in Chiang Mai take part in the event.
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Chiang Mai police seized 155 modified motorbikes
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Provincial Police Region 5
announce the results of a crackdown on illegal street racers carried out
June 20-30.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Mai Police seized 155 modified motorcycles in a
crackdown on illegal street racers.
Provincial Police Region 5 carried out the June 20-30
operation across the North, targeting street racers. A total 103 people were
arrested on charges of blocking traffic, reckless driving, driving without a
license, lending a vehicle to an unlicensed driver, and driving an illegally
modified vehicle. Police also confiscated 70 loudly modified exhaust pipes.
Region 5 deputy chief Pol. Maj. Gen. Pandit
Tungkasetranee warned parents and guardians of young drivers to better
supervise their children and teach them about the dangers of road racing.
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Chiang Mai
Police seized 155 modified motorcycles in a crackdown on illegal street
racers.
Chiang Mai flights increase 36%
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The number
of flights serving Chiang Mai has increased 36 percent since interprovincial
travel restrictions were lifted last month.
Chiang Mai Mail
The number of flights serving Chiang Mai has increased
36 percent since interprovincial travel restrictions were lifted last month.
Amornrak Chumsai Na Ayutthaya, director of Chiang Mai
International Airport, said July 2 that there are now an average 68
scheduled flights a day, up from 40 when the airport reopened last month.
Passengers have increased about 50 percent to 4,000-5,000 a day.
Despite the increase volume, Chiang Mai still in
complying full with the government’s disease-prevention requirements, he
said.
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Airlines
have increased flights from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, Utapao, Hat Yai, Ubon,
and Udon.
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Passengers
have increased about 50 percent to 4,000-5,000 a day.
Cabaret dancers create spicy environment at new restaurant in Chiang Mai
Transgender
cabaret performers in Chiang Mai haven’t been able to strut around on stage
for almost four months due to COVID-19
Chiang Mai mail
Transgender cabaret performers dressed in full costume
to lure customers to their new Thai restaurant.
Dancers from across Chiang Mai came together to open
Reung La Yum on Soi Rajamangala University in Chang Phueak as they’ve been
out of work for four months with no firm idea when they go back on stage.
Many are hoping it will be in October.
So, to make ends meet, the transgender women turned
their shared house into a restaurant, cooking up their own spicy recipes
including “yum pladuk fu,” (spicy crispy fish with green mango salad)
“yum ruam” (mixed spicy salad) and “maha reung la yum” (big
dish spicy salad). Dishes start at 40 baht and are available for dine-in or
delivery from noon until 8 p.m. daily.
The flamboyant dancers put on their over-the-top
costumes July 1 to market their food.
Manfah “Matoy” Sukprakob, 26, said they had considered
actually doing cabaret shows, but their house is in a residential
neighborhood and the neighbors objected.
Transgender cabaret
performers pooled their money to open Reung La Yum restaurant on Soi
Rajamangala University in Chang Phueak.
They used the opening as
a good excuse to dress up and promote the restaurant.
Trans Manfah, aka Matoy
Sukprakob, one of the owners, displays what’s on sale at the new restaurant.
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Flash floods wipe out Chiang Mai roads
A night of
heavy rain washed out roads in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai at Ban Mae Wan, Ban
Mae Nae, Ban Pong Aor, Pa Miang sub-district, and Doi Saket.
Heavy rain across the north washed out roads in Chiang
Mai and Chiang Rai.
Flash floods sent rivers of mud and debris across
Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai Road after a night of rain June 27. Damage was
reported at Ban Mae Wan Km 33, Ban Pha Nae Km 35, and Ban Pong Aor Km 37 in
Pa Miang Subdistrict of Doi Saket. Several meters of water made passage
impossible.
Pha Miang Subdistrict Deputy Mayor Sujin Sangkaew said
the rain began about 11 p.m. the night before and lasted long enough for the
Kwang River to overflow.
He urged motorists to use alternate routes, such as
Bang Pang Fan from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai at Kha Moo Phuket going to the
Ban Mae Ton junction and the route from Chiang Mai at the Pong Din police
booth going to Pong Kum Temple onto Ban Mae Ton.
Crews worked Saturday to fix the main route with heavy
machinery and backhoes. (MCOT)
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Chiang Mai hotels, hospital team up for health packages
V Group
President Watchra Tantranan (3rd left) signs a contract with Dr. Sira
Hantrakul (3rd right) from Chiang Mai Ram-Lanna Hospital for a health
promotion at the Furama Chiang Mai and other hotels.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Mai’s V Group hotels are turning the current
health crisis to their advantage by offering wellness packages from 4,400
baht a night.
The hotel group partnered with Chiang Mai Ram-Lanna
Hospital for the health promotion at its Furama Chiang Mai and other hotels.
The three-day, two-night packages are available for a year from July 1.
On June 24 at the Furama Chiang Mai, V Group President
Watchra Tantranan kicked off the campaign with executives from Kum Praya
Resort and Spa and White Boutique Hotel and Spa and officials from the two
hospitals.
Watchra said he recognized that health is at the top of
most people’s minds now and that the hotel group wanted to leverage the
expertise of the area’s hospitals and hospitality to create a unique holiday
experience.
The packages include a full medical checkup with
additional treatment options available.
Dr. Sira Hantrakul from Chiang Mai Ram-Lanna Hospital
said the medical services will take only four hours and includes shuttle
services between the facility and hotels.
For more information, call Furama Chiang Mai Hotel at
053-415-222.
V Group
President Watchra Tantranan addresses the press.
Chiang Mai’s
V Group hotels are partnering with Chiang Mai Ram-Lanna Hospital for
wellness packages.
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‘Clean, safe, worry-free’ Chiang Mai welcomes back tourists
Deputy
Interior Minister Nopon Boonyamanee (3rd left) and Chiang Mai Gov.
Charoenrit Sanuangsit (center) invite domestic tourists to return to Chiang
Mai
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Mai relaunched tourism with assurances to
visitors that it is a “clean, safe and worry-free” destination.
According to a new Suan Dusit Poll, Chiang Mai is the
number-one place Thais want to visit now interprovincial travel has been
allowed and the nation’s lockdown mostly lifted.
Deputy Interior Minister Nopon Boonyamanee and Chiang
Mai Gov. Charoenrit Sanuangsit invited domestic tourists to return to Chiang
Mai during a June 18 news conference at the Tha Phae Gate.
Chiang Mai has not reported a case of Covid-19 in more
than a month and has lifted its requirement that visitors go into quarantine
upon arrival.
Chiang Mai Gov. Charoenrit
Sanuangsit presents his opening speech.
Deputy Interior Minister
Nopon Boonyamanee bangs the gong Lanna style to open Chiang Mai domestic
tourism after COVID-19.
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10 kg. heroin, 800K speed pills seized in Chiang Mai
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Chiang Mai
authorities seized 800,000 methamphetamine tablets and 10 kilograms of
heroin while patrolling the Doi Ang Khang highway.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Mai authorities seized 800,000 methamphetamine
tablets and 10 kilograms of heroin while patrolling the Doi Ang Khang
highway.
Fifth Cavalry Regiment Col. Narit Tavornwong and Fang
District police announced the arrests June 16, detailing how soldiers and
police stopped two vehicles carrying 10 people, the ya ba pills and heroin.
Authorities managed to arrest only eight of the 10
people.
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Chiang Mai Night Safari sees 50% revenue cut for 2020
Chiang Mai Night Safari
expects revenue to fall 50 percent this fiscal year due to the coronavirus
pandemic.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Mai Night Safari expects revenue to fall 50 percent this fiscal year
due to the coronavirus pandemic, but hopes domestic tourists can rescue the
business by year-end.
Anucha Damrongmanee, executive director for Pinkanakorn Development Agency
Plc., which operates the Night Safari, said May 6 that the tourist
attraction also will try to cut costs by upgrading its information
technology systems to analyze its business processes.
The year-end push for domestic
tourists, he said, will be based around the park’s planned Dinosaur Planet
attraction, currently under construction.
Chiang Mai Night Safari shut down on
March 27 after posting 107 million baht in revenue from October-March.
Before closing, business had plunged 90 percent in March, he said. By Sept.
30, the end of the park’s fiscal year, it expects revenue to have declined
50 percent.
Anucha said the park still has about
200,000 baht in expenses to cover and so management is cutting costs by, for
example, canceling orders for office supplies and renting office equipment,
along with making more efficient use of water and recyclables.
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Chiang Mai Airport reopens with flights to Bangkok, Hat Yai
Chiang Mai
Deputy Governor Rattapol Naradisorn (3rd left) paid an area visit to follow
up and observe passenger screening after airlines started providing
services.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Mai Airport is open again, with four airlines
resuming the first direct flights after the coronavirus shutdown.
Deputy Gov. Rattapol Naradisorn inspected airport
operations May 1 to ensure passengers were undergoing proper health
screenings and the impact it had on lines and crowding.
Body-temperature scanners have been installed at all
entrances and those entering the airport must be wearing face masks at all
times.
Passengers arriving from high-risk areas, such as
Bangkok, must complete health certificates and agree to enter quarantine for
14 days.
Airlines have been instructed to have passengers
complete the forms before arriving or to use a mobile phone application to
reduce arrival delays and lines.
Resuming flights this month are Thai Air Asia, Nok Air,
Thai Lion Air and Thai VietJet, connecting Chiang Mai with Bangkok’s two
airports and Hai Yai. Only 18 flights – evenly split between departures and
arrivals – are scheduled currently.
Chiang Mai Immigration officers require foreign and Thai passengers
traveling from areas at risk of COVID-19 outbreaks to fill out tracing
documents.
Chiang Mai Airport provides
surveillance and screening measures for both arrival and departure.
Atmosphere at arrival hall,
passengers wait for their baggage after Chiang Mai Airport reopened.
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Broke Brit found living at Chiang Mai airport
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Margaret
Mary Jumbo explains her situation to Chiang Mai immigration officials.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Mai International Airport immigration
officers helped a destitute foreign tourist living in the airport for a
week.
Margaret Mary Jumbo, 44, had flown to Thailand from
the United Kingdom March 14 on a visa-exemption stamp that expired April
12. However, all flights out of Thailand had been suspended and her visa
was automatically extended.
That didn’t help her financial situation, however.
With the U.K. in coronavirus lockdown, her employer did not transfer
money to her as expected and she’s been waiting at the Chiang Mai
airport for it.
Kanchana Aranruk, owner of 24 Guest House,
contacted immigration to offer Jumbo free accommodations and food. She’s
awaiting the resumption of flights to the U.K. to return home.
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She was transferred
from Chiang Mai airport to a guesthouse by airport pickup.
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Kanchana
Aranruk (woman in grey t-shirt at guesthouse), owner of 24 Guest House,
offered to give Margaret a place to live with no charge until her money
arrives.
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