ChiangMaiMail

Central Airport, Central Kad Suan Kaew, Robinson and Big C are locking down at 12:30 PM today and will not be open tomorrow.

Central Kad Suan Kaew, Central Airport, Robinsons, and Big C are closing at 12:30 pm today and will not be open tomorrow.

As posted in the other thread, this is not a friendly scene, one of our reporters is on the scene and has been punched by a red shirt. He has been told to get out of there now.

There are hundreds there, the Bridge has been closed, and shots have been reported (not just firecrackers).

Confirmed reports that the Red Shirts are trying to blockade Narawat Bridge with burning tyres, shooting on the scene. Our MD was just there and reported gunfire and we have a reporter on the scene who was punched by one of the Red shirts.

Doi Saket District is a big place.. Doesn't have to refer to the town I guess?

The Chiang Mai Mail has reports of people burning tyres in Doi Saket district this afternoon

You are correct Mr. WTK but a reputable news organization would give a location not a tung in cheek comment.

Apologies for the delay, I am not on ThaiVisa regularly. Huay Hong Krai according to the police report we received.

It was also announced at the weekly press conference at City Hall this morning that the Army and police will be setting up joint checkpoints around the city starting around 6 PM today.

The Army bus that was torched was parked at a garage for repairs when it was set it on fire.

The Chiang Mai Mail has reports of people burning tyres in Doi Saket district this afternoon.

Arrest warrant issued for former Mayor of Ban Pong in Phrao

Chiang Mai Mail reporters

A nation-wide arrest warrant has been issued for former Ban Pong Mayor, Siroj Chompoorat for the murder of the Permanent Secretary of Ban Pong, Kritipong Srichai.

Police in Mae Faek were called to the report of a fire to find the body of Kritipong Srichai, 41 years old, inside a burning pickup truck on the outskirts of Phrao District on April 24. Mrs. Rosada Srichai informed police that her husband had called her to tell her he planned to have drinks with the former Mayor before he disappeared.

Chiang Mai Provincial Police Deputy Commander Pol Col Panudetch Boonruang worked with the investigative team to arrest two suspects in the murder; Pradit Sutha, 38, a former member of Tambon Ban Pong Municipality, and Sompetch Chaikham, 43, a former deputy mayor of Tambon Ban Pong. They confessed that they had worked together with the former Mayor to shoot Kritipong.

Tambon Ban Pong was upgraded to a Municipality in March of this year and new elections resulted in the new Mayor, Chak Wongkhamma, being elected. It is believed that the former Mayor was angry with the Permanent Secretary for not backing him in the new election.

http://chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd10

-- Chiang Mai Mail 2010/05/04

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Red shirts in attempt to take over Army checkpoint in Mae Hong Son

Khajohn Boonpath

More than 10 members of the Red Shirt group in Mae Hong Son attempted to seize the Phabong checkpoint in Mae Hong Son’s Muang district on April 25 in an effort to block military and police personnel from travelling to Bangkok to reinforce authorities there.

Deputy Commander Somjet Pakdeebandit negotiates with the Red Shirts at the checkpoint in Mae Hong Son.

The 35 armed military and police officers in charge of the checkpoint refused to allow them to take over. Col Somjet Pakdeebandit, Deputy Commander of the 7th Infantry Regiment negotiated with the group for an hour after which the Red Shirts left the checkpoint.

The Deputy Commander said, “We could not let the red shirt group close or block the road, nor besiege the government offices, and buildings as per the orders of the Mae Hong Son Governor, Kamthorn Thawornsathit, who has adopted the government policy on dealing with the political situation.”

Red Shirt leader, Payon Sarawat said that they had wanted to block military forces, “but this time, we didn’t have enough people so we left."

http://chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd8

-- Chiang Mai Mail 2010/05/04

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Rallies by Rainbow shirts across the North

More than 200 Mae Hong Son residents opposing the dissolution of Parliament gather in front of the Phraya Singhanartraja Statue on April 27.

Khajohn Boonpath and Chiang Mai Mail reporters

Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son both saw demonstrations by the Rainbow shirts against dissolution of Parliament and calling for a peaceful resolution to the current crisis.

The Mae Hong Son rally held on April 27 was attended by more than 200 Rainbow shirts, Yellow shirts and members of the Facebook group opposing dissolution. They plan to submit a letter to the Mae Hong Son Governor Kamthorn Thawornsathit. They also visited soldiers at the 76th Infantry Regiment at the Montalang Army Camp in Tambon Phabong, Muang district as a show of moral support. They concluded their rally by singing the National Anthem and announced their intention to meet every Friday at the Phraya Singhanartraja Statue, the first ruler of Mae Hong Son, until the government solves the problem of the Red shirt protests in Bangkok.

In Chiang Rai, more than 100 people gathered at the King Mengrai statue on April 28 calling for the government to not dissolve Parliament while members of the Red shirts staged a rally about 300 meters away.

The Rainbow shirts sang the National Anthem, waving flags while the Red shirts waved red flags nearby. Pol Col Mongkol Samphawapol, Superintendent of the Chiang Rai Police ordered police to deploy to the rally and help keep peace between the two groups. The rally by both groups dispersed after an hour.

http://chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd5

-- Chiang Mai Mail 2010/05/04

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Demonstrators face disruption from Red Shirts

Chartchai Chumseneethong submits a letter of complaint to Deputy Governor Pairote Saengphuwong, protesting the actions of the Red Shirt group’s attempts to disrupt the Rainbow Shirt rally.

Supoj Thiamyoj

After demonstrating peacefully on April 24 to show their support for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajiva and to call on him to not dissolve Parliament, 3 representatives of the Facebook group against dissolving Parliament, led by Chartchai Chumseneethong, submitted a letter of complaint to Chiang Mai Governor Amornphan Nimanant on April 27, stating that the Red Shirts had disrupted their daily rally.

They had started a daily rally at Fitness Park near the Chiang Mai University Convention Center, singing the National Anthem and calling for a peaceful resolution of the crisis and opposing dissolution of Parliament after more than 200 members of various groups took part in a rally on April 24. Included in that rally were the Rainbow Shirts, the Chiang Mai people group, Protecting the Thai Nation, Buddhist Religion and King Institute, as well as members of a Facebook group opposing dissolution in front of the Fitness Park.

With signs and banners opposing violence and the dissolution of the government, the group marched up Nimmanhaemin Road to the Amari Rincome Hotel intersection on the 24th.They then sang the National Anthem and the SanSern Baramee song in praise of HM the King as they returned to the Park at CMU.

Despite the heavy rains, the demonstration passed peacefully but Phu Ping Police were there to guarantee the safety of the demonstrators.

They distributed leaflets as they passed by about the mission of their peaceful demonstration. Calling for peaceful resolution of the situation, without violating laws, they oppose the dissolution of Parliament. They called for Thai people nationwide to join hands in taking responsibility to solve the country’s political turmoil without class, color or sides.“As Thai people, we would like to express our loyalty to His Majesty the King, “one member of the group said.

However, subsequent rallies saw the appearance of members of the Red Shirt group opposing their demonstration, with leaders stating that the Red Shirts surrounded their group and, in an effort to avoid confrontation, the group was forced to disperse.

They called on the Chiang Mai Government to protect their rights to demonstrate peacefully.

“We are here to call for the provincial authorities to help protect our demonstration from disturbance by the red shirt group,” a member said.

Deputy Chiang Mai Governor Pairote Saengphuwong, met with the group’s representatives on behalf of the Governor to receive their complaint. He added that the government and provincial authorities are currently keeping the peace and security in the city, and that if any group violates the law they would be then taken for legal action.

http://chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd4

-- Chiang Mai Mail 2010/05/04

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

200 homes destroyed in Chiang Rai storm

Chiang Mai Mail Reporters

A violent summer storm hit 5 villages in Chiang Rai Province, destroying more than 200 houses on the night of April 23, according to the Chiang Rai Provincial Authority.

Ban Pabong, Ban Payang, Ban Dong Takien, Ban Takien Thong and Ban Pa Pee were the villages hit the hardest in the storm which brought strong winds, heavy rains and thunderstorms. Rooftops were blown off with some landing as far as 100 meters away from the house.

Pol Sub Lt Manoo Sailangka, the President of Tambon Charaoen Muang Administration Organization, said that houses, rice mills, and farming equipment had sustained heavy damage in the storm. The full cost is yet to be assessed but the area has asked for emergency financial assistance from Chiang Rai Governor Sumeth Saengnimnual.

http://chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd6

-- Chiang Mai Mail 2010/04/27

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Popular actor sentenced for assault in Lampang

Chiang Mai Mail Reporters

Screen and television actor Tao Somchai Khemklad was sentenced to 15 days in jail on April 23 for assaulting Lampang resident Veerachart or Kota Densirikul in January earlier this year.

On January 5, Tao Somchai entered a noodle shop in Suan Dok in Lampang where, after offering a wai greeting to all occupants, punched Veerachart in the face when not receiving a wai in return.

Veerachart filed a formal complaint with the police and Tao was charged with assault. Taop was required to attend Court 7 times before sentencing. The Court took into consideration that this was Tao Somchai’s third arrest for assault when sentencing him to jail.

Currently out on bail having bonded property worth 794,000, his lawyer, Rathapol Bhuddharod, announced that the actor plans to appeal the decision.

http://chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd11

-- Chiang Mai Mail 2010/04/27

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Man found dead in moat

Nopniwat Krailerg

A woman walking on the footpath near the Chang Puak Market area on April 23 called police after seeing a body floating in the water. Police and rescue teams came to the area, opposite the Phichit Rice shop, and pulled the body of a young man out of the water. Age of the Thai man is estimated to be between 17 and 20.

Passersby stopped to look at the scene, causing traffic jams on Maneenoparat road for an hour.

Police plan to make an announcement in order to find the family. Forensic police will autopsy to determine cause of death.

http://chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd9

-- Chiang Mai Mail 2010/04/27

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Placards threatening arson placed around the city

Chiang Mai Mail Reporters

Placards threatening arson were placed in three different locations around the city on April 22. They were placed in front of Chiang Mai Municipality, at the Kuang Sing intersection on the Chiang Mai- Lampang superhighway, and at the interchange near Chiang Mai Construction Co. Ltd. The placards threatened to encounter dispersal by force.

Chiang Mai Police removed the placards and have tightened security and stepped up patrols in an effort to ensure security in the city.

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

-- Chiang Mai Mail 2010/04/27

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

The Chiang Mai Mail can confirm that a grenade went off at a mobile phone store in San Kamphaeng in the early hours of today, Tuesday 20 April. No injuries were reported. The mobile phone store is near the Bangkok Bank.

Local spa owner gunned down

Staff reporters

Mrs. Chayaras Rana, 37, was gunned down by an unknown assailant on a motorbike outside her business, the Leelawadee Saraphi Massage and Spa on April 6. She died instantly. The housekeeper, Mrs. Buathep Oon-okdaeng, 54, was by her side holding Mrs. Chayaras’ one year old son when the gunman opened fire. She and the little boy escaped injury by quickly ducking down behind the car.

The Mae Ping Police are investigating possible motives for the shooting and are investigating to find more evidence in an effort to find the killer, still at large.

http://chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd8

-- Chiang Mai Mail 2010/04/20

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Tourist numbers drop

Staff reporters

Tourist numbers have dropped as much as 40 percent from last year, Chiang Mai Governor Amornphan Nimanant announced. He believed that the political unrest had affected Chiang Mai’s tourism more than expected.

Chiang Mai Governor Amornphan Nimanant announced the drop in tourists for the Songkran holidays.

Initially, it had been expected there would be at least 300,000 visitors to Chiang Mai, boosting revenues in the city by as much as 1 billion baht.

The Governor said that due to political unrest and the recent explosions in the city, security has been stepped up and that he ordered all officials to be on high alert.

“The current political factor has affected tourism, however, we can ensure that tourists and visitors to Chiang Mai this time will be safe,” he assured, adding that the police have stepped up patrols and enforcement to keep things safe.

Chiang Mai is rich in arts and culture and the Governor added that he believed Chiang Mai people would not create any violence during Songkran.

Governor Amornphan also asked all sides for help in keeping Chiang Mai peaceful and to return the city to normality.

http://chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd7

-- Chiang Mai Mail 2010/04/20

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

US Consulate visit to Chiang Mai Expats Club reveals new fees for US Citizens Services

Michael K. Morrow, U.S. Consul General and Andrew Veprek, Consular Chief of the U.S Consulate here in Chiang Mai attended the Chiang Mai Expats Club meeting at the Shangri La Hotel on Saturday, March 27 to answer questions and let American citizens know some important upcoming changes.

US Consul General Michael K. Morrow joins Alan Hall of the Chiang Mai Expats Club at the meeting at the Shangri La on March 27.

Mr. Morrow talked to the crowd about the role of the Consulate in Chiang Mai, stressing its primary mission is to serve the growing American community in the North. There are currently around 7,500 American citizens living in the 15 Northern provinces served by the Consulate. Additionally, tourists are also helped when they lose a passport, encounter difficulties or accidents or death.

The Consulate also has 9 Drug Enforcement Agency representatives who work closely with the Office of Narcotics Control Bureau (ONCB) and the National Security Bureau (NSB) in fighting drug trafficking in Thailand. He said from the 70’s and 80’s when Thailand was one of the biggest heroin producers in the world, it now produces “virtually no illicit drugs whatsoever” and he praised the role of the Thai government in fighting drug production. However, Thailand remains a major transit point for drugs coming out of Myanmar and Laos and they continue to maintain vigilance in those areas. In fact, he added that in the first two months of the year more than 6 million yabaa pills were seized in Thailand.

Additionally, the U.S. Consulate works to support Burmese human rights activists adding that the U.S. is a major destination country for the resettlement with around 10,000 Burmese and Hill tribes being resettled in the United States in the past decade.

One of Mr. Morrow’s prime goals is to increase American investment in the I.T. economy in the North, noting that the government has realized it needs to diversify the economy in the North. The recent Creative Economy Conference was a huge success and IBM has recently opened an office in Chiang Mai.

Environmental concerns, deforestation and water issues remain a concern but additionally, public diplomacy is a key issue for the Consulate. Exchanging views, with educational and cultural exchanges taking place.

Finally, he announced the Fourth of July party will be organized by the V.F.W branch here in Chiang Mai and will be held Sunday the 4th at the Municipal Stadium.

U.S. Consular Chief Andrew Veprek made some very important announcements regarding American citizen’s services fees. Within a month, fees for notarial services are expected to rise to $50 and an $82 fee for additional passport pages will be instituted. Additionally pages are currently free. He encouraged everyone to get this done if needed. Stressing that an appointment must be made online to have pages added. You can visit the Chiang Mai Consulate website and click on American Services at http:// chiangmai.usconsulate.gov.

Additionally, the cost of a new passport will go from $75 to $135. He noted, however, that every passport issued out of the Consulate is the business size passport that holds additional pages.

The Consulate will be closed Songkhran week. However, Friday April 9 the Consulate will be open for drop in visits from 8 AM to 11 AM.

He encouraged citizens to register with the Consulate in order to receive warden messages, warnings and in case of emergencies it allows for family to be contacted for instructions. He also noted that there are no IRS services at the Consulate and there will be no visits from the IRS for taxpayer assistance.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are available for American Citizen’s services appointments and Mondays and Wednesdays are set for Visa services. Be sure to make an appointment before going.

http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/community.shtml

-- Chiang Mai Mail 2010/03/31

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Mayor wants to eliminate rubbish problem in Chiang Mai City

Rubbish bins and recycling programs around the City

By Supoj Thiamyoj

The Chiang Mai Municipality along with 7 private organizations signed an agreement to completely get rid of garbage in the city on March 24 at the Central Airport Plaza.

The Municipality signed the agreement with the Businesswomen and Occupations Association of Thailand, Chiang Mai Branch, Central Chiang Mai Airport Plaza, Kad Suan Kaew shopping center and hotel complex, Siam Commercial Bank, Urban Development Institute Foundation, Pakee Khon Hug Chiang Mai and Rimping Supermarket.

Artchaawan Limlenglert, left, the president of Businesswomen and Occupations Association, Chiang Mai branch, as a representative of the 7 private organizers presented the signed cooperation agreement to Mayor Taasanai Buranupakorn, right.

Mayor Tassanai Buranupakorn added that the new cooperation among the government and private sector will help to reduce the rubbish problem in Chiang Mai. There will be educational campaigns to encourage people to throw their rubbish away rather than burn it, as well as rubbish bins will be placed around the city’s corners and in 10 communities around the city.

Each Saturday, Municipal Garbage trucks will collect the rubbish. Additionally, there will be bins for plant and food material so that the City will produce compost from leaves and other produce.

More than 24 schools in the municipal area have set up their recycling banks, with separate garbage collection systems for each type of refuse. The first one opened for the public at the Three King Monument, from 9.00 a.m. – 12 p.m., the second one will be at Tha Pae gate, and the third one will be set up at Changpuak gate.

Mayor Tassanai said if individual or organization would like to join in the city development and help keep the city clean and tidy, to call the Call Center, Tel. 086 – 4296647 to 9.

http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/current/community.shtml

-- Chiang Mai Mail 2010/03/31

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Four bombs found in Chiang Mai in two weeks

Prior to defusing the M79 grenade launched near the Central Airport Plaza Shopping Center on March 23,　 a soldier from the 33rd Military Circle inspects device, (Inset) The unexploded M76 grenade that was discovered at the Bangkok Bank ATM machine in San Kamphaeng District on March 25.

PRD and Nopniwat Krailerg

After an M79 grenade was launched at the Central Airport Plaza Shopping Center on March 23, Chiang Mai Provincial Police commander Pol. Maj Gen Sommai Kongwisut announced that security around the city has been tightened, measures have been stepped up at City Hall and the Court buildings, patrols have been increased and checkpoints instituted around the city.

The M79 grenade launched at the shopping center was presumably aimed at the police box but hit the wall of the building. Police believe it was shot from an overpass near the shopping center. The police are viewing CCTV cameras to single out suspects in the attack.

There have been four bomb threats or attacks, with giant fireworks being shot at the Bangkok Bank ATM machine in Chang Phuak and the M79 attack on Central Aiport Plaza. The Chiang Mai Construction Co. Ltd owned by Kanaen Supha, the father in law of politician Newin Chidchob was also attacked.

The fourth and latest attack was a grenade planted at a Bangkok Bank ATM machine in San Kamphaeng on March 25. Locals informed the police that a grenade had been found in the bin near the Sai Wattanatham San Kamphaeng Bangkok Bank ATM machine. Police discovered an M76 grenade and proceeded to disarm it and remove it.

Chiang Mai Provincial Police commander Pol. Maj Gen Sommai Kongwisut believes the attacks could be the work of people trying to foment fear and chaos and has stepped up patrols and checkpoints around the city.

http://chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd11

-- Chiang Mai Mail 2010/03/31

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Two separate arrests yield more than half a million yabaa pills

Pol Maj Gen Sommai Kongwisaisuk, Commander of Chiang Mai Police with the three suspects in custody, from left, Somboon Saelee, Somchai Saemu, and Arying sae Wang, with the 20,000 confiscated yabaa pills.

Nopniwat Krailerg and Jedsadapong Wongkiew

In two separate cases, police confiscated 520,000 yabaa pills being smuggled into Thailand for sale by drug traffickers.

On March 22, Chiang Mai Provincial Police arrested a gang of Chinese Haw drug traffickers with 20,000 yabaa pills that they had brought to Chiang Mai to sell.

Arying or Jinyoon sae Wang, 43, Somchai or Arhai Saemu, 22 and Somboon Saelee, 36, all residents of Muang Na in Chiang Dao District were arrested after a sting operation was set into motion by Chiang Mai police. The men delivered packets of 20,000 yabaa pills to undercover police after negotiating with them for the sale earlier in the day. Police arrested the men and confiscated the drugs and 2,000,000 baht in cash.

In the second incident, police from the Provincial Police Bureau, Region 5, acting on a tip off, set up a roadblock in Lampang’s Mae Yo District. 500,000 yabaa pills, worth 100 million baht, were found hidden in the back of a pickup truck at the checkpoint on March 23.

Police Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Somkid Boonthanom announced the arrest of Nathakitch Kiartpraisan, 32, a resident of tambon Mae Soi, Chormthong district, Chiang Mai, found with 500,000 ya baa pills packed in 150 plastic bags hidden in a compartment in a specially modified Mitsubishi pickup-truck.

Nathakitch confessed to police that he had been hired by Mr. Ke, surname unknown, was paid 400,000 baht, to deliver the drugs from Chiang Rai to Bangkok.

Region 5 Police Chief Pol Lt Gen Somkid said this appeared to be a new manufacture of high grade yabaa tablets coming from bordering countries.

http://chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd8

-- Chiang Mai Mail 2010/03/31

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Its now confirmed, two bombs last night, both exploded. One at the Wat and one at the Court. No injuries reported.

Our report said outside the Wat. Not sure where MCOT gets their news from.

A grenade was found outside a Bangkok Bank ATM machine in San Kamphaeng. There was an additional incident at Central and a Bangkok Bank ATM machine in Chang Phuak, all involving unexploded grenades.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bomb-Discove...an-t350327.html

The Chiang Mai Mail can confirm there was a bomb of some kind that went off at a telephone booth outside Wat Sai Moon Muang last night. A car parked nearby was damaged, there are no reports of injuries. Details to follow when I get them

At today's meeting of the Chiang Mai Expats Club, US Consular Chief Andrew Veprek of the US Consulate here in Chiang Mai announced that the State Department plans to increase the fees for notarial services to $50 and in a bigger change, will implement an $82 fee for additional passport pages which are currently added for free. You can add pages to your passport twice, with each addition consisting of 24 pages.

These charges are expected to be in place within a month.

Additionally, passport fees are expected to be raised from $75 to $135.

Mr. Veprek noted that all new passports issued out of Chiang Mai are now the business size which carries more pages.

You must make an appointment to get pages added, and Mr. Veprek encouraged people to do so as soon as possible.

American Citizens services for the US Consulate in Chiang Mai is at : http://chiangmai.usconsulate.gov/service.html

American Citizens services for the US Embassy in Bangkok can be found here: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service.html