I am very proud to take up my duties here last year as the first Governor
of Chiangmai who was actually born in the Province.
Chiangmai has changed rapidly in the past 30 years, and has become too
westernised in some ways, but the people are faithful to Buddhism and this
has helped to preserve our culture for over 700 years.
There is much natural beauty here and if you drive out of the city you
quickly see the extent of unspoilt nature right on our doorstep. Our economy
is generally good, with an average annual income of 60,000B per head, but
the tourism industry enjoys a relatively short season and this is a problem
with which I hope to assist.
If you are a visitor here I recommend you to our many attractions
in the rural areas of the Province and also in the city itself.
Our traffic is congested, and we are considering more traffic infrastructure
improvments. I am also very concerned about road safety and there must
be better training for the Traffic Police and all road users.
The government I represent is imposing even stronger measures against
all forms of drug use and trading. However, in my view we are justifiably
proud of the positive images of northern Thailand, and one of our goals
is that all visitors take these home with them - and become part of the
growing numbers who return to Chiangmai again and again.
Two Thai soothsayers predicted massive death tolls involving
travellers at Songkran (..) likely to have "catastrophe level"
casualties "as serious as the Biblical Armageddon Day" (...).
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