ChiangMaiMail

10,000 with Chiang Mai dengue fever

More than 10,000 patients in the northern province of Chiang Mai have suffered dengue fever this year with eight fatalities from the virus, according to a top Public Health Ministry official.

Chiang Mai Public Health Office deputy director Dr Surasingha Wisarutrat said 10,017 persons have been diagnosed with dengue fever since January, with 9,320 of the afflicted being Thais while 697 were migrant workers from neighbouring countries.

Eight have died from the disease, he said, adding that the most affected was Mae Ai district, followed by Mae Taeng and Doi Tao districts.

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http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/Update2013-News/news_Aug6.shtml#hd8

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Flash flood warning for mountainous areas

The Northern office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has issued a warning for people in the North and North East that heavy rains will be hitting through the rest of the week. People living near hills and waterways are urged to take extra caution and prepare for possible flash floods from forest runoff due to heavy rains in the next few days. Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Tak, Phrae, Phayao, Nan, and Loei in the North as well as Sakhon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Nong Khai, Buengkhan, Nakhom Phanom, Udon Thani, and Nong Bua Lamphu.
Tak has already been hit but heavy rains and flash floods with the market at Rim-Moei submerged under 50 cm of water forcing vendors to evacuate. The Moei River has overflown its banks in the heaviest rains seen in a decade.
There is a national hotline for people needing assistance for those affected by heavy rains: 1784.

http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd23

City dredges Mae Kha Canal

City workers clear weeds and rubbish out of canals that block the water flow.

The Chiang Mai Municipality has been dredging canals and clearing drains in a bid to prevent a repeat of the floods that hit Chiang Mai two years ago. Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn led the team of engineers and city officials in investigating the Mae Kha Canal behind Centara Duangtawan Hotel recently.

City officials hope to prevent flooding from run off and the river by clearing weeds, debris and mud from the canals so as to allow water to drain quickly.

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Grisly find as police uncover bodies of two dead babies

Witch doctor practicing black magic in San Kamphaeng

Kittipong sits at his black magic shrine which includes the wrapped bodies of the two babies that he claims he brought from Cambodia.

Nopniwat Krailerg

Police uncovered a grisly find at the home of Kittipong Noppalai after they searched his home on suspicion of illegal weapons; the shriveled remains of two dead babies, ten human skulls and other items used in black magic.

Police went to the home in Pormpreang Village in Buak Kan, San Kamphaeng after someone complained that the man had threatened them with a gun. Police arrested Kittipong at Rinkeaw Plaza with the weapon and then went to search his house for additional weapons as they suspected him of being involved in weapons trafficking. It was there the police made their grim discovery.

The suspect told police that he owned all three of the illegal guns uncovered and that they were not for trafficking. He also confessed to police that he had been trained in Cambodia and had obtained the remains and skulls from Cambodia but police are not convinced that his confession is true.

http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd13

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Mosquito problems at local schools

As the number of dengue fever patients continues to climb potential breeding grounds of mosquitoes must be eliminated.


Local “mosquito expert” Mark Isenstadt recently surveyed a local school to determine why it had a serious infestation of mosquitoes and uncovered major issues of standing water and blocked drains despite the city’s calls to ensure that all potential breeding grounds be removed.
Piles of discarded desks and chairs with puddles of water at the bottom, blocked drains, fountains and small pools that had not been cleaned and did not have any fish to eat the mosquito larvae and the ever present potted plants with water in the bottom breeding mosquito larvae.

contiued here: http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd3

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Monorail system for Chiang Mai?

4th Ring Road plans in the works

This file photo shows the Blue Sapphire route in front of Chiang Mai Polytechnic College on Huay Kaew road which was part of the 2006 proposed mass transit system. The current project is also planned to be at ground level.
Nopniwat Krailerg

The Thai government approved an 8 billion baht budget for the expansion of the infrastructure in Chiang Mai after a Cabinet proposal in January 2012 and the Provincial Administration Organization (PAO) plans to use that budget on more than just the proposed high speed rail between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
President of the PAO Boonlert Buranupakorn noted that the increasing number of tourists traveling to Chiang Mai has increased traffic congestion but there still remains no mass transit in the city. The PAO plans to implement a monorail system to ease traffic congestion in urban areas.

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http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd2

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Chiang Mai Province sees 100 dengue patients a day

10 districts hit hardest

Officials in Ton Pao Municipality spray against mosquitoes as part of the battle against the spread of dengue fever in Chiang Mai. (Photo courtesy of Muang Ton Pao Municipality, San Kampaeng, Chiang Mai).

Nopniwat Krailerg

Dr. Wattana Kanjanakamol, Chief of the Chiang Mai Public Health Office reported on July 7, 2013 that about an average of 100 patients a day are diagnosed with dengue fever across the province with ten districts hit the hardest; with Mae Ai still having the highest infection rate. Other districts that have been hit are Hang Dong, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, Muang Chiang Mai, Doi Lo, Mae Wang, San Sai, Chiang Dao and San Pa Tong.


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2 students accuse teacher of molestation

Two Lamphun students reported a case of sexual molestation by a teacher to the Provincial Police on June 24, 2013

Nopniwat Krailerg
A Lamphun teacher brought two 16 year old students to report a charge of sexual molestation to Pol. Col. Weerachon Boontawee, chief of Children Women Family Protection and Anti Human Trafficking Center of Provincial Police Region 5 on June 24, 2013.

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Fraud alleged in Pang Kued election

Mae Taeng villagers file a petition claiming election fraud in the Village Headman election held in their village earlier this year.

Nopniwat Krailerg
Nearly 100 villagers from Pang Kued village in Mae Taeng District petitioned the Governor on Monday, June 24, 2013 alleging election fraud in the election of the village headman.

Wilasinee Sairattanyu led the protest which submitted a petition to Governor Tanin Subhasaen calling on him to investigate voter fraud in the elections held in January 11, 2013. She told the Governor that she noticed cheating on the vote counting in the election between Apinan Chamu who won the election with 184 votes.[/size]


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Chiang Rai villagers win 4 year legal battle against power plant

Court revokes unlawfully issued license

Chiang Rai villagers rejoice as the Administrative Court ruled in their favor against the government.

Nopniwat Krailerg
Nearly 600 villagers from the Wiang Nuea sub district in Wiang Chai District of Chiang Rai rejoiced at the conclusion of their four year long legal battle against the Energy Regulatory Commission after the Chiang Mai Administrative Court ruled in favor of their lawsuit.

Continued here: http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd1

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Villagers protest corruption in Mae Taeng

Mae Taeng villagers file a petition with the Governor to fire the Mae Taeng Mayor for corruption.

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200 Mae Taeng villagers protested at City Hall on June 3, 2013 where they called on Governor Tanin Subhasaen to fire Mae Hor Pra Mayor Pichet Kantaros for corruption.
The protesters, led by Village Headman Cherdchu Manochit, filed a petition with the Governor citing alleged corruption regarding the purchase of new trophies for a Sports Day competition that was held on May 5, 2013. Villagers charge that the local government drew 5,470 baht from government funds to purchase new trophies for the event but that new trophies were not purchased; rather old trophies were reused.
Villagers investigated and found 3 students who had cleaned the old trophies for the recent competition. Deputy Mayor of Mae Taeng Somsak Charoenphan resigned in responsibility for the misuse of public funds on May 8. On May 16 the Mae Taeng Municipal Council filed a petition with the Chiang Mai Governor, the Director of the Office of the Auditor General Region 8 and the Secretary of the National Anti-Corruption Council Commission to request that the budget for the local government be examined for inconsistencies.
The Municipal Council held a meeting with villagers who requested that the local government explain the corruption. The corruption was admitted to and money was to be refunded to the local government’s budget but villagers fear a repeat of the incident and have requested the Governor fire the Mayor.

http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd1

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Monks arrested on charges of procuring a young boy

Two monks were detained by police on June 19, 2013 and later released on bail after the parents of a 14 year old boy went to police charging them with luring their son to have sexual acts with the abbot of a temple in Chiang Dao. Based on reports from the boy and a driver the two monks allegedly took the boy to the temple in Chiang Dao several times since February.
The two men, Bandit Boonkhum, age 23, and Saranyaphat Rungruang, age 20 denied all charges and refused to leave the monkhood. They were released on 200,000 baht bail. The police intend to issue an arrest warrant for the abbot that the two men allegedly procured the boy for.

http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd16

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City sprays against mosquitoes

Chiang Mai Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn meets with Disease Control officers as they spray against mosquitoes.

(Photo courtesy of Chiang Mai Municipality)

As Dengue fever patient numbers continue to climb the city is attempting to combat the dengue fever carrying mosquitoes that breed in stagnant water. On June 20, 2013 Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn visited Disease Prevention and Control officers as they sprayed repellent at Chiang Mai Rajabhat University.

The Mayor noted that Thailand had been hit hard by dengue fever this year and asked for cooperation from residents to help eliminate breeding grounds for the mosquitoes by dumping any containers that hold water and to put small fish in ponds and garden pools to eat the larvae. The government is also requesting people to use mosquito repellent and to be aware that dengue infected mosquitoes are active during the day.
The Department of Disease Control reported that patient numbers in the country have now reached triple that of last year and could reach 150,000 cases this year while fatalities could rise to 100-150. So far, there have been 50 deaths recorded nationwide due to dengue fever.

http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd21

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Royal Thai Air Force joins in the battle

Spraying water in a bid to reduce the smog

The Royal Thai Air Force is spraying water at high altitudes in a bid to reduce the smoke and haze blanketing Chiang Mai.

Nopniwat Krailerg

Royal Thai Air Force officers met at Wing 41 on March 28, 2013 to discuss ways in which they could assist the North in battling the smothering smoke and haze that has covered the region. Air Chief Marshal Anirooth Khittirat, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Civil Affairs Royal Thai Air Force Headquarters and Surapol Sattayarak, Chiang Mai Permanent Secretary met with relevant agencies to discuss the situation and offer solutions to lessening the concentration of particles in the air.

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Mini-concert to announce upcoming Lanna World Festival

Todd Thongdee took to the stage at Tha Pae Gate on Wednesday to announce the upcoming Lanna World Festival and to introduce the popular singer Lanna Commins.

A mini-concert featuring Chiang Mai favorite Lanna Commins was held on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at Tha Pae Gate as a precursor to the upcoming Lanna World Festival that will be held at Prasertland on Nimmanhaemin soi 6 from April 4-7, 2013.
The Lanna World Festival is the brainchild of long time resident and TV personality Todd Thongdee and will offer performances from not only Northern musicians such as Maehongson World, Chang Saton Lanna World Funk, The Smooth and Himmapan but also World Music singers such as Cameroon’s Corry Denguemo, often called the “Voice of Cameroon”. Other performers include the New Orleans Gumbo Brothers, Bamako Express,Indus Joy from India, and Tik Shiro and Musiq and many others.
Performances begin at 6 PM every night with Lanna World opening the event on April 4 followed by Corry Denguemo at 8 p.m. The festival ends on April 7 and is free to the public.

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Nimmanhaemin one way soi system scrapped

Residents of the Nimmanhaemin neighborhood met with Traffic Police on Wednesday to learn that the two month one way trial for the sois of Nimmanhaemin would be scrapped and the two system would be implemented on April 1, 2013.

Police met with concerned Nimmanhaemin citizens on Wednesday, March 27 at the Anuban Suan on Nimmanhaemin soi 17 to discuss the one way soi system implemented in February. Residents expressed their concerns regarding the one way system which saw each soi becoming one way in alternating directions starting at soi 5 and ending at soi 15, noting that it had increased traffic on the central soi that runs parallel to Nimmanhaemin as well as on Sirimangkalajarn.
Another issue raised by the members of the Nimman Club (found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NimmanClub) was that the one way soi system had increased speeds along the sois as drivers were no longer slowed down by traffic, resulting in several accidents. Other accidents were caused by people either not seeing the do not enter signs or not paying attention to the one way signs and going the wrong way down the one way system. One Nimman resident pointed out that the large signs erected by the police were not standard and did not look like one way or do not enter signs but rather like large advertisements.
Additionally, residents noted that problems tended to occur after 9 p.m. when people started flocking to area bars, restaurants and clubs resulting in faster driving and more accidents. The group suggested that if the police intended on keeping the one way system that speed bumps be installed along the sois to slow people down.
The traffic police acknowledged these issues and announced that on March 31the one way system would be scrapped and the two way system implemented on April 1. They vowed to enforce the even/odd parking on the sois so that they would remain clear to traffic. Parking is a major issue on the Nimmanhaemin sois, with several residents complaining loudly that parking was not enforced and offenders continued to block people’s driveways and entrances. One householder said that he put potted plants in front of his driveway to stop people from parking there and they just moved the plants.
The police addressed this issue saying that resources were limited but that they would patrol the sois and enforce parking. Residents volunteered to assist by photographing offenders cars. Other residents offered up suggestions for parking issues including the Municipality offering public parking or police issuing stickers for residents of the neighborhood. It was pointed out that all the Nimmanhaemin sois suffer this problem, even the dead end ones like Soi 1 and Soi 2 where the entrance is blocked by parked cars. One member asked police to please enforce the even/odd parking for motorbikes too, noting that they parked anywhere and blocked the road.
Police vowed to enforce the parking regulations and asked for people’s cooperation in following the signs and not blocking the sois.

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Cobra Gold military exercises headquarter in Chiang Mai

U.S. Ambassador co-chairs opening ceremony

U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney and Admiral Yuttana Phagpolngam, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Thai Armed Forces join hands with partner nations in the 32nd annual Cobra Gold exercises held in Thailand from February 11-21, 2013.

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U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney visited Chiang Mai on February 11, 2013 to join Admiral Yuttana Phagpolngam, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Thai Armed Forces in chairing the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold joint exercises at Le Meridien Hotel in Chiang Mai.
Cobra Gold 13 (2013) is an annual military exercise with the joint forces of the Thai military and the United States Army that has been held for 32 years. 7 main countries participate; USA, Thailand, South Korean, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. A further ten countries take part as observers including Brunei, China, Laos, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates. Joint military exercises are held in Lopburi, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Chonburi and Chanthaburi while the exercises are headquartered in Chiang Mai.
The exercise, which ended February21, will improve the capability to plan and conduct combined-joint operations and will provide an opportunity for partner nations to build relationships and improve interoperability across the range of military operations. CG 13 is designed to advance regional security and ensure effective response to regional crises by exercising a robust multinational force from nations sharing common goals and security commitments in the Asia-Pacific region.
A total of 12,593 soldiers are taking part in the exercises, nearly 9,000 from the U.S., 42 from Singapore, 69 from Indonesia, 72 from South Korea, 74 form Japan, 65 from Malaysia and over 3,200 from Thailand.
The exercise includes humanitarian and civic assistance projects, a staff exercise and field training exercises. Joint and multinational training is vital to maintaining the readiness and interoperability of all participating military forces.
When you train together, talk together, plan together … I know that if a disaster strikes my country or a neighboring country you will all be there,” said Kristie A. Kenney, U.S. Ambassador to Thailand. “You’ll be there at once because whether it’s flooding in Thailand, a typhoon in the Philippines or a tsunami in Indonesia, you know because you’ve worked together how to respond immediately and effectively to save lives. As a civilian, I know that makes us safer, more productive and more prosperous.”

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Rally at City Hall for transparency on new green area

Call for public participation in city projects

The Chiang Mai Community Conservation group calls on the government for transparency and public participation in determining the usage of the space at the old Women’s Prison.

Nopniwat Krailerg

Around 20 people from the Chiang Mai Community Conservation group, led by Panngam Somna and Saowakon Sriboonruang, rallied at City Hall on February 5 to present a petition to Governor Tanin Subhasaen calling for a public meeting on the fate of the site of the old Women’s Prison inside the city. They asked for a meeting with the public for feedback on the proposed Kuang Wiang Kaew green space.

The group submitted a letter calling for a public forum hosted by the Chiang Mai Provincial office to brainstorm ideas and allow for public participation in the project, calling for full transparency into the project. Panngam Somna said that the decision on the area requires the participation of all sectors and that the group would like the government to oversee the project, they also said that they did not feel another Buddhist shrine there as the old city already has 38 temples.

The Mahanakorn Chiang Mai group also held a meeting on the proposed site at Buddha Satan on Sunday, February 17, 2013. The group is also calling for transparency and public participation in decisions.

Additionally the Chiang Mai Community Conservation group called on the Governor to check out shops, restaurants, pubs and karaoke bars in town to ensure that they are following all laws closely and are not allowing for excessive noise or underage drinking.

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Hi everyone,

Just to note, we saw the sign too. We contacted the Head of the Traffic Police which is issuing this order and were told that the street was going to be one way.

I won't comment on the discrepancy, its not my place to say, but again, we contacted them directly and this is what we were told.

We will all await and see what they finally decide to do.

They have put up cones on Nimman today as if they plan to enforce no parking but since people are currently parking in between the cones I guess we just have to wait and see what happens there too.

http://chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd17

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http://chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd18

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The organizing committee met to discuss the annual Walk Up Doi Suthep held on the night before Visakha Bucha Day on June 3 and 4.

Nopniwat Krailerg

The organizing committee for the annual “Walk up Doi Suthep” that takes place on Visakha Bucha Day met on May 21, 2012 at Wat Lok Molee to prepare for the event and announce the schedule.

Prathep Worasitthajarn, the Abbot of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep noted that this holiday celebrates the anniversary of Buddha attaining enlightenment 2,600 years ago. There will be ceremonies every evening from May 29 to June 3, 2012 at Wat Chotikul Suwannaram (Wat Mou Boon) near the Kruba Srivichai Monument.

Sunday night, June 3 there will be a Lanna style parade to bring the holy water up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and the procession of the faithful begin their 11 km walk up Doi Suthep. Most people will arrive around 1-3 a.m. to walk three times around the temple. Then at 6:30 a.m. people will give alms to 225 monks at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. There will be a bathing ceremony with Royal lustral water of the Buddha images at 3 p.m.

http://chiangmai-mai...news.shtml#hd39

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Boonlert Buranupakorn is greeted by supporters upon registering for the elections for the office of the President of the PAO.

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Thursday, May 24, 2012 saw the first day of registration for Chiang Mai Provincial Administration Organization (PAO) Council members and President with two main candidates, both Pheu Thai, registering for the seat of President.

PAO President Boonlert Buranupakorn and head of the Pheu Thai Khunnatham Party received number one on the ballot while Dr. Thaworn Kiatchaiyakorn, former Senator of the Pheu Thai and member of the Pheu Thai Chiang Mai Party, received number 2.

Thousands of red shirted supporters turned out to meet the canddiates at the 80th Anniversary of HM the King building near the Provincial City where brother of ousted Prime Minister Payap Shinawatra, Chiang Mai Member of Parliament Tassanee Buranupakorn and Chiang Mai Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn joined K. Boonlert on stage to show their support. Thousands of supporters thronged the stage, the majority of which had turned out to show their support for Boonlert Buranupakorn.

Payap Shinawatra noted that while the Pheu Thai had not submitted a candidate to the office and added that while both candidates are allowed to use the Pheu Thai name, they are not related to the party. He said that he simply came to congratulate his old friend; Boonlert Buranupakorn.

The President of the PAO will oversee 25 districts with more than 2,000 villages. Election Day is scheduled for June 23, 2012.

Payap Shinawatra (4th right), MP Tassanee Buranupakorn (2nd left) and Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn (1st left) join Boonlert Buranupakorn and supporters on stage to show their support for his candidacy.

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