PM'S HARD LINE ON DRUGS

Queen Bee of Moon Muang Road make it clear to their trekkers that drugs are not available

"I would not feel a thing if 10,000 drug traffickers were killed, but I do feel sorry when one good person dies" Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra told the Chiangmai media during a 3 day informal cabinet meeting here.

Emphasising his commitment to wipe out "the scourge of drugs", the premier was speaking about the death of an army staff sergeant, shot dead in Tak by men in a truck carrying 2.6 million methamphetamine pills. The pills, smuggled over the border from Burma, would have retailed in Bangkok at 100 baht each.

Thailand's commitment to the death penalty for serious drug offences has, if anything, been strengthened recently and amnesties will no longer be granted to offenders on special occasions such as the birthday of His Majesty the King.

Here in the north, reputable trekking companies have begun to emphasise that they visit only drug free villages, and clients must not expect to be offered illegal substances. Visitors are advised to avoid companies which hint that drugs are available, as trekking trucks are increasingly being stopped and searched by police as they return to the city. Under Thai law it is an offence to be found in a vehicle carrying drugs, whether the occupants knew about their presence or not.

Cabbages & Condoms Go International

You have arrived at the RUBBER TRIANGLE

One of the great half way halts between here and Chiangrai (on the right near Mekajarn) is one of the restaurant/hotels in the unique Cabbages & Condoms chain, brainchild of Khun Meechai Viravaidya. The condom-making, cabbage-farming tycoon is now going into Australia and Romania with his amazing recipe, which preaches safe sex while serving up tasty Thai food and (on the Chiangrai road) chalet for overnighters. By the end of the year 7 outlets will be established in Australia and another in the capital of Romania. Khun Meechai is also well known for his social development projects which, for the present, stay here!

CHINESE INVASION?

Chiangmai could benefit from an invasion of Chinese tourists if plans by THAI Airways International come to fruition.

The national carrier is considering a Hong Kong-Chiangmai direct air service and potential passenger numbers are being studied. This area is looking for an increase in tourism revenue from the present 39 billion baht per annnum to 50 billion. Direct to Beijing in time for the Olympics, maybe?

Biggest tourism growth in the last 2 years has been from Japan (more than 100,000 visitors to the north west alone) and MICE business! Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions are being attracted to Chiangmai and the Imperial Mae Ping hotel has just completed a large new building for the purpose.

Other attractive facilities to organisers of big events are provided by The Empress, Westin and Lotus PSK hotels and Chiang Mai University.*

MOSQUITOS CAN KILL!

Mosquitos are killing an increasing number of Thai people, mainly in eastern Isaan and south of here by spreading denghy fever.

Almost 40,000 mainly rural people have contracted the disease since January amd there have been 79 deaths. Public health officials have sprayed chemicals in many villages and warned that sufferers must not take aspirin.

There have been no alarm calls here in the north and the usual advice is that only people wearing black, or who spend much time in or near rivers, may be at risk.

PM INVITED HOME

A 14 year old Chiangmai schoolgirl has invited Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to visit her village and nose around.

In a letter to the 'Bangkok Post' last month her father Suwimon Khobjai wrote "Fumes from burning plastic are a serious health risk. The irresponsible and uncontrolled burning of rubbish on virtually every piece of waste land and garden is having a detrimental effect on her health and that of many others."

"It would seem we are amongst 20 people a day who raise the issue and who all receive the same reply: 'There is nothing we can do'. It is frightening that such apathy and ignorance exists in the Department of Environment and that nobody will accept responsibility for this problem."

Young Ms Khobjai received a reply from the PM's secretary that the letter had been forwarded to local govermment offices.

QUAKE SHAKE

An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale shook Mae Sariang, south west of Chiangmai, one midnight in early July. There were no reports of casualties, but some isolated reports that the tremor was felt in central Chiangmai.

It is 6 years since a 'quake of the same intensity shook central Chiangmai in the early hours of the morning, dislodging plaster from a tall hotel building and prompting mass evacuations. No injuries were reported.

Residents here who have survived 'quakes in Japan advise staying indoors under stairs or door frames rather than running into city streets. They say that most deaths and injuries in quakes are caused by flying glass from breaking windows.

Experts say that Chiangmai sits at the end of a fault line in the earth's crust which originates in China and curves down here through north east Burma.

ROUND AND ABOUT

* Remember our cricket feature in May? Many protagonists of all ages will be playing at Chiengmai Gymkhana Club from 10.00am on August 12th and September 9th and invite all interested parties to take part, or spectate from the boundary or the bar.

* Charismatic Italian Master Chef Maggio appears again at the Amari Rincome's La Gritta restaurant from August 3rd to 12th, offering special meals and cooking lessons. August 10th sees the celebration of Giuseppe Verdi with 3 talented musicians performing a concert of his works from 7.00pm. More on 053 221123.

* Her Majesty the Queen's birthday on August 12th means that all government offices and banks will be closed on Monday, August 13th as a day's holiday in lieu.

* The Informal Northern Thai Group hosts two talks this month. On the 14th Dr Steven Elliott discusses the restoration of our degraded northern forests, while on the 21st Dr Erik Cohen of Jerusalem University examines the Phuket vegetarian festival, including participants who stick spears through themselves while in trance-like states. Talks start at 7.00pm at Alliance Francaise, Charoenprathet Road.

* It's a real drag at the 700 Year Sports Stadium on August 19th when cars, bikes and pick ups line up to set the fastest times over a quarter mile straight. More info on drag racing, rallying and cycle events from Team Bodyshop (Thai language only) on 206367.

* September 8-9th is the weekend for Chiangmai's next Family Fun Rally, where "crews" of ordinary folk in ordinary cars do a variety of challenging and silly things between here and the Angkhang Nature Resort. You too can be Tommi Makinen! Hot Dog, motoring correspondent of 'Good Morning Chiangmai News', thoroughly recommends this package which gives 2 people lunch, dinner, a musical mini-concert, overnight accommodation and breakfast for only 3,190b per single car entry. More from Khun Kittiya at the Amari Rincome Hotel, 053 221123.

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THE LUA

Cabbages & Condoms Go International

The condom-making, cabbage-farming tycoon is now going into Australia and Romania with his amazing recipe (...).

MISS SENGSON. I am a 35 year old Thai woman, 49kgs weight, 152cms tall and single. My interests are travel, cooking, reading and more (...).

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