Thaksin Begins His Three-day Inspection Tour Of Chiang Mai Today

[Jai Dee]

PM begins his three-day inspection tour of Chiang Mai today

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will make an inspection tour in Chiang Mai Province from today to Wednesday.

Today, Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin will visit sufficiency economy villages in Omkoi (อมก๋อย) district, meet with agencies concerned to discuss measures to solve Chiang Mai’s flood problems and preside over a candle-lit ceremony at Chiang Mai Night Safari held as part of the celebrations of Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday.

Tomorrow, he will chair a video Cabinet conference, inspect a sufficiency economy learning centre in Mae Rim (แม่ริม) District, fly to Chiang Rai Province by a helicopter and return to meet local businessmen.

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister will visit SML villages in San Pa Tong (สันป่าตอง) District before flying back to Bangkok.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 August 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM's 3-day trip to the North will cover various issues

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is ready to listen to the voices of the public in order to follow up on the work implementations in the North.

Pol. Col. Lt. Thaksin is scheduled to visit the northern region from today until the 17th of this month, to monitor the work progresses of various government projects. He will also take in public opinions on different government policies. His trip to the North will begin in Chiang Mai Province, and he will seek short-term and long-term measures in solving the flood problem and helping out the flood-hit victims.

The Prime Minister will also take a look at the progress of the organization of the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006, which is one of the main events to celebrate His Majesty the King’s Diamond Jubilee and His Majesty’s 80th birthday on December 5th, 2007. The Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 is one of the world’s top events where more than 30 countries will take part in. This grand event will commence on November 1st, 2006.

The premier will also visit the northern villagers and see how they apply “Sufficiency Economy” in their daily lives.

Later on, he will travel to Chiang Rai Province, to assess the officials’ work in eradicating narcotics in the short and long runs. Following his trip to Chiang Rai, he will take a trip to the provinces of Tak, Phitsanulok and Uttaradit, and assess the flood-solving measures there.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 August 2006

[Jai Dee]

Mr. Newin will submit flood-solving measures to PM Thaksin this afternoon

Prime Minister’s Office Minister Newin Chidchob, who also acts as the chairman of the state land trespassing prevention committee, will submit measures to solve the flood problems in Chiang Mai Province to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for consideration this afternoon.

The measures will involve the drainage of floodwater in seven locations. 800 cubic meters of water will be drained in one second, and canals with 7 meters in width and 20 meters in length will be excavated to the northern province of Lamphun .

According to the assessment, over 200 plots of public land have been affected, but only 30 of them are legal plots of public lands. The government will however lend a hand in this situation.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 August 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM's supporters and PAD members had a small quarrel in Chiang Mai

The atmosphere in the province of Chiang Mai prior to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s visit today was slightly disordered as the premier’s supporters and members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) had a little quarrel.

Hundreds of the Prime Minister’s supporters waited for the premier to arrive at the airport in Chiang Mai this morning. Meanwhile, the PAD members were observing the situation and questioned whether the Prime Minister’s trip violated the electoral regulation. The PAD said if the trip did not violated the law, they will then return to their residences. Later on, the supporters of Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin shouted for the PAD to return homes, However, no confrontation took place as the PAD agreed to go back to their homes.

Once the Prime Minister arrived in Chiang Mai, he paid respect to the ancestors’ ashes. He later talked to the press members that this coming Saturday would be his final weekly radio show, as many sides viewed that it was inappropriate.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 August 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM Thaksin's Northern tour begins with heated reception

CHIANG MAI, Aug 14 (TNA) - Thai Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Monday began his tour of the North Monday morning, alighting at Chiang Mai airport where security was tight amid confrontation between his supporters and opponents.

Mr. Thaksin and a few cabinet members flew from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, the first stop on his four-day tour of the North. The prime minister and his entourage will visit four other provinces - Chiang Rai, Tak, Phitsanulok and Uttaradit -- during his August 14-17 trip.

The prime minister, leader of ruling Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party, made a three-day visit to three provinces in the Northeast, a stronghold of his party, last week to follow up on the progress of poverty-eradication projects amid criticism by opposition parties that claimed the trip was aimed at winning votes on the run-up to the Oct 15 general election.

Strict security measures were imposed at Chiang Mai airport when Mr.Thaksin arrived and spoke to reporters there. A podium was set up for the prime minister at a distance and media were not permitted to set microphones close to his mouth as is usually done.

The prime minister and his entourage were greeted by both his supporters and opponents at the airport. The atmosphere at the airport became heated when the two groups, made up about 500 people, were about to collide, but police separated the anti-Thaksin protesters, keeping them at a distance.

Source: TNA - 14 August 2006

[Maejo Man]

Today, Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin will visit sufficiency economy villages in Omkoi (อมก๋อย) district, meet with agencies concerned to discuss measures to solve Chiang Mai’s flood problems and preside over a candle-lit ceremony at Chiang Mai Night Safari held as part of the celebrations of Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday.

Well he should be arriving at the Night Surfari about now, and Chiangmai has turned on some great weather for him to discuss the flood problem. He might just see it first hand if this keeps up

[The Dan Sai Kid]

How's he going to get around?

I hope he is thoroughly ashamed at the state of the roads.

[Jai Dee]

PM will consider flood prevention measures with his cabinet via a video cabinet conference

The caretaker cabinet will today consider a proposal for a 90 million-baht-budget to solve flood problem in Chiang Mai via a video conference with caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The money will be used as compensation for people who will lose their land under a plan to remove property and other things that obstruct the flow of the Ping river.

The government also planned to build tunnels under roads and railways that block the water flow to deal with flooding in Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Khon Kaen and Ubon Ratchathani.

The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry will ask for 200,000 baht for every tambon in 22 provinces to promote chicken farming that is safe from bird flu virus.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 August 2006

[Maejo Man]

PM will consider flood prevention measures with his cabinet via a video cabinet conference

The caretaker cabinet will today consider a proposal for a 90 million-baht-budget to solve flood problem in Chiang Mai via a video conference with caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 August 2006

Now hang on just a tick! He only just stated on the 2nd of August that he had already allocated funds for flood management, but blamed it on the political situation that they could not be implemented. More vote buying?

PM links flooding to political crisis

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday flooding in the northern provinces had been aggravated by the political crisis, which forced the government to delay its 200-billion-baht national water-management project.“The protracted political conflict has caused the caretaker government to put all its planned megaprojects on hold until after the election,” Thaksin said.

“However, I have already told provincial administrations in affected provinces to give primary aid to those who are suffering and [Prime Minister’s Office] Minister Newin Chidchob has been assigned the task of relieving the problem,” he said.

Thaksin denied allegations that deforestation to build the Chiang Mai Night Safari had contributed to the flood damage in the North. He added that deforestation had been going on in Chiang Mai for 10 years.

Meanwhile, heavy rain continues to fall in the upper northern region.

In Chiang Mai, where it has been raining nonstop since Sunday night, there has been minor subsidence to the old city wall, while more than 200 families have been affected by flood damage. The water level in the Ping River in the centre of the city reached 4.32 meters – 0.55 meters above the critical level.

However, Deputy Interior Minister Sermsak Pongpanit said after visiting the province that water levels had fallen in many areas. He expressed confidence the river would not cause flooding in the city’s commercial district.

“The government is not neglecting the problem. The construction of the Ping River flood prevention wall is continuing as the Meteorological Department has warmed of a tropical depression in the South China Sea that is predicted to cause further heavy rain in some parts of the North, Northeast and East,” Sermsak said.

Flooding also interrupted train services between Chiang Mai and the neighboring province of Lampang. Damage to the railway line in Lampang’s Hang Chat district forced the railway authority to cancel services to and from Chiang Mai yesterday, said Sompong Butrakhun, Chiang Mai railway station chief. Normal services are expected to resume in the next three days after damaged track has been repaired.

At the moment, all trains traveling to Chiang Mai via Lampang are forced to stop at Khun Tan station, where passengers are transferred by bus to Chiang Mai.

In Lampang, floodwaters in Hang Chat and Mae Mo districts are receding.

Janthip Lasaensueb, 53, a resident of Mae Mo was killed in the floods and 28 villages have suffered damage.

Source: ThaiDay - 2 August 2006

[Jai Dee]

Thaksin supporters hold a banner reading ‘Poor people ... want Thaksin’ while, below, an anti-Thaksin group shows a banner reading ‘Thaksin cheats the whole nation’. The groups clashed briefly when caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was about to touch down at Chiang Mai airport yesterday.

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra carries a basket he received yesterday as a gift from hill-tribe people during a visit to Chiang Mai.

Source: The Nation - 15 August 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM revealed the reason to visit Omkoi yesterday

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra indicated that the purpose of his trip to Omkoi District of Chiang Mai yesterday was to follow up on various government projects, so problems can be solved accurately and he would truly understand the facts and details.

Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin said his trip would help the government to clearly understand the locals’ living conditions, their surroundings as well as their problems. He said it was a good sign for the villagers in Omkoi to be courageous in informing their problems. Thus, the government can help solve these issues more accurately. He said the problems in the North and Northeast are similar, but the North has more land-for-use problems. He said the government has a policy to deal with this issue in a continuous manner.

Following the flood assessment, the Prime Minister stated that it should not be a problem as Ping River will be expanded by 90 meters.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 August 2006

[Ricardo]

The government also planned to build tunnels under roads and railways that block the water flow to deal with flooding in Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Khon Kaen and Ubon Ratchathani.

Or drains - as we normally call them

The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry will ask for 200,000 baht for every tambon in 22 provinces to promote chicken farming that is safe from bird flu virus.

Using cows, for example, since they don't currently catch bird flu, although efforts to make them grow drum-sticks have so far been unsucessful

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 August 2006

Meanwhile it was interesting to see, on TV-reports of his arrival in Chiang Mai, that there are people who don't like being called 'educated & stupid', even here in his home town.

It must take some courage to stand up here, and show that DL is not universally-loved, after the recent ritual of magical-cursing of PAD-supporters by local TRT-supporters.

Thank heavens the police cleared this riff-raff away promptly.

That hill-tribe basket will be most useful - to carry his wallet in !

And the River Ping anti-flood work was surely done last winter, when Thaksin was filmed inspecting the dredging-work upstream from town, the anti-flood long-wall has surely now been roundly condemned and cancelled after local protests - so it can't possibly have work underway at present, and lastly since all finance for any building-work is cancelled due to the wicked democrats, there can't be any work going-on right now.

Perhaps local-visits by acting caretaker government members are useful, just to discover what actually is going on, in this very confused region ?

Edited August 16, 2006 by Ricardo

[Maejo Man]

Following the flood assessment, the Prime Minister stated that it should not be a problem as Ping River will be expanded by 90 meters.

Does that mean no more floods? Expanded by 90 metres exactly where? Through Gonzo's place? Don't sell your boats just yet!!

[davidgtr]

Following the flood assessment, the Prime Minister stated that it should not be a problem as Ping River will be expanded by 90 meters.

Does that mean no more floods? Expanded by 90 metres exactly where? Through Gonzo's place? Don't sell your boats just yet!!

Well it looks like that part of the provincial police HQs on the river at Pa Daet is having to go. Naughty police encroaching on the river like that with their riverside staff quarters & buildings. I didnt think they'd do things like that in Thailand. I wonder who made all the money on the construction deal when it was done though?

[Gonzo the Face]

Following the flood assessment, the Prime Minister stated that it should not be a problem as Ping River will be expanded by 90 meters.

Does that mean no more floods? Expanded by 90 metres exactly where? Through Gonzo's place? Don't sell your boats just yet!!

BUBBA YOU BE TALKIN TRASH !!!!!

Gonzo the Great

[Ricardo]

I thought that the river was currently already 90-100 metres wide, at least here in town, so does this really mean that it will be doubled in width ? Doubtful, although a wide river-bank park allowing a flood-plain to flood when needed might be nice, unless you live on the land which would be taken.

Perhaps he meant to say - widened to a minimum of 90 metres ?

[Ricardo]

Following the flood assessment, the Prime Minister stated that it should not be a problem as Ping River will be expanded by 90 meters.

Does that mean no more floods? Expanded by 90 metres exactly where? Through Gonzo's place? Don't sell your boats just yet!!

Well it looks like that part of the provincial police HQs on the river at Pa Daet is having to go. Naughty police encroaching on the river like that with their riverside staff quarters & buildings. I didnt think they'd do things like that in Thailand. I wonder who made all the money on the construction deal when it was done though?

A. The same ones, who will now make another packet, from re-building it elsewhere, of course !

[Ricardo]

PM Thaksin's Northern tour begins with heated reception

CHIANG MAI, Aug 14 (TNA) - Thai Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Monday began his tour of the North Monday morning, alighting at Chiang Mai airport where security was tight amid confrontation between his supporters and opponents.

Mr. Thaksin and a few cabinet members flew from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, the first stop on his four-day tour of the North. The prime minister and his entourage will visit four other provinces - Chiang Rai, Tak, Phitsanulok and Uttaradit -- during his August 14-17 trip.

The prime minister, leader of ruling Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party, made a three-day visit to three provinces in the Northeast, a stronghold of his party, last week to follow up on the progress of poverty-eradication projects amid criticism by opposition parties that claimed the trip was aimed at winning votes on the run-up to the Oct 15 general election.

Strict security measures were imposed at Chiang Mai airport when Mr.Thaksin arrived and spoke to reporters there. A podium was set up for the prime minister at a distance and media were not permitted to set microphones close to his mouth as is usually done.

The prime minister and his entourage were greeted by both his supporters and opponents at the airport. The atmosphere at the airport became heated when the two groups, made up about 500 people, were about to collide, but police separated the anti-Thaksin protesters, keeping them at a distance.

Source: TNA - 14 August 2006

With hind-sight, was this a sign of clashes to come, down in Bangkok ?