Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

Pheu Thai has laid out an ambitious vision to turn Chiang Mai into a leading example of inclusive growth. In a public forum attended by prime ministerial candidates Yodchanan Wongsawat and Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the party engaged with the LGBTQIA+ community, cultural workers, and business leaders to discuss innovative policies. The aim is to integrate creative industries, cluster tourism, and educational reform to boost economic growth and embrace diversity.

On Saturday, the candidates highlighted plans for government support for small cultural and arts sector players, expanding opportunities in digital arenas and e-sports. They also focused on enhancing equality and human rights, especially for the LGBTQIA+ community, and targeted financial and economic issues. Yodchanan proposed a ‘cluster tourism’ model for Chiang Mai, interconnecting destinations to enhance visitor experiences beyond traditional landmarks.

He noted that true charm lies in stories and experiences found in local settings, like small cafés. His vision includes the government's role in supporting content creators and small entrepreneurs, with proposals for identifying talent and providing funding for new opportunities. This approach aims to transition Thailand's tourism sector towards high-value services for sustainable income.

On diversity and inclusion, Yodchanan stated that these are universal matters touching various communities, including Muslims and Christians, advocating for mutual respect rooted in human dignity. He tied this to education, suggesting reforms to inspire students with role models and flexible learning environments. This aligns with fostering talent for future creative economies, as reported by the Bangkok Post.

Key Takeaways

• Pheu Thai aims to transform Chiang Mai through inclusive growth policies.

• Initiatives include support for creative industries and cluster tourism.

• Emphasis on equality, human rights, and educational reforms.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2026-01-12

 

 

Thaksin's nephew Yodchanan - the latest family nominee for PM - is wasting no time in promoting the familiar populist Shinawatra schemes.

Forget about that transparent vote-buying chicanery and concentrate on what is really needed here, effective measures to alleviate Chiang Mai's two main problems - toxic air pollution in the burning season and catastropic floods during the monsoon.

Pheu Thai has laid out an ambitious vision to turn Chiang Mai into a leading example of inclusive growth. In a public forum attended by prime ministerial candidates Yodchanan Wongsawat and Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the party engaged with the LGBTQIA+ community, cultural workers, and business leaders to discuss innovative policies. The aim is to integrate creative industries, cluster tourism, and educational reform to boost economic growth and embrace diversity.

I wonder how many of the voters got diddled out of their 10K

We all know how long promises last.

On 1/12/2026 at 10:00 AM, CMHomeboy78 said:

Thaksin's nephew Yodchanan - the latest family nominee for PM - is wasting no time in promoting the familiar populist Shinawatra schemes.

Forget about that transparent vote-buying chicanery and concentrate on what is really needed here, effective measures to alleviate Chiang Mai's two main problems - toxic air pollution in the burning season and catastropic floods during the monsoon.

Even better would be to ban the whole corrupt Shinawatra family / gang of thieves.

Just now, scorecard said:

Even better would be to ban the whole corrupt Shinawatra family / gang of thieves. The country should never forget they (through their PT ownership) didn't honour their promise of 10,000Baht for all Thai citizens.

4 hours ago, scorecard said:

4 hours ago, scorecard said:

Even better would be to ban the whole corrupt Shinawatra family / gang of thieves. The country should never forget they (through their PT ownership) didn't honour their promise of 10,000Baht for all Thai citizens.

That's because they're pathological liars, the whole lot.

All they are interested in is staying in power by whatever means.

Thaksin is now right where he belongs, but for how long remains to be seen.

6 hours ago, TooPoopedToPop said:

That's because they're pathological liars, the whole lot.

All they are interested in is staying in power by whatever means.

Thaksin is now right where he belongs, but for how long remains to be seen.

And note, there's a very recent news article suggesting his release very soon because of good behavior. I wonder how many English lessons he gave whilst in Klong Prem?

On 1/12/2026 at 3:46 AM, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

Pheu Thai has laid out an ambitious vision to turn Chiang Mai into a leading example of inclusive growth. In a public forum attended by prime ministerial candidates Yodchanan Wongsawat and Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the party engaged with the LGBTQIA+ community, cultural workers, and business leaders to discuss innovative policies. The aim is to integrate creative industries, cluster tourism, and educational reform to boost economic growth and embrace diversity.

On Saturday, the candidates highlighted plans for government support for small cultural and arts sector players, expanding opportunities in digital arenas and e-sports. They also focused on enhancing equality and human rights, especially for the LGBTQIA+ community, and targeted financial and economic issues. Yodchanan proposed a ‘cluster tourism’ model for Chiang Mai, interconnecting destinations to enhance visitor experiences beyond traditional landmarks.

He noted that true charm lies in stories and experiences found in local settings, like small cafés. His vision includes the government's role in supporting content creators and small entrepreneurs, with proposals for identifying talent and providing funding for new opportunities. This approach aims to transition Thailand's tourism sector towards high-value services for sustainable income.

On diversity and inclusion, Yodchanan stated that these are universal matters touching various communities, including Muslims and Christians, advocating for mutual respect rooted in human dignity. He tied this to education, suggesting reforms to inspire students with role models and flexible learning environments. This aligns with fostering talent for future creative economies, as reported by the Bangkok Post.

Key Takeaways

• Pheu Thai aims to transform Chiang Mai through inclusive growth policies.

• Initiatives include support for creative industries and cluster tourism.

• Emphasis on equality, human rights, and educational reforms.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2026-01-12

 

 

• Pheu Thai aims to transform Chiang Mai through inclusive growth policies.

• Initiatives include support for creative industries and cluster tourism.

• Emphasis on equality, human rights, and educational reforms.

Lots of words but nothing specific, no fully specific policies or actions.

What do they mean by 'cluster tourism'? Every province / towns will work towards their own objectives, nothing less.

What do they mean by 'creative industries"? How many jobs will that create, creative mosttly means individuals,not mass employees.

"equality, human rights, and educational reforms.' Now waiting for something really specific which will never happens. In reality of course these items are always well detailed in current Thai law.

A lot of hot wind, nothing more...

On 1/12/2026 at 10:00 AM, CMHomeboy78 said:

Thaksin's nephew Yodchanan - the latest family nominee for PM - is wasting no time in promoting the familiar populist Shinawatra schemes.

Forget about that transparent vote-buying chicanery and concentrate on what is really needed here, effective measures to alleviate Chiang Mai's two main problems - toxic air pollution in the burning season and catastropic floods during the monsoon.

There's another salient point in my view. Family political dynasties, common in many Asian countries including Thailand several times, Thaksin the main example.

Also in other countries, the US just one example, the Bush family.

But there's at least one major flaw in the family dynasties approach. The first leader may well be very well qualified and a high achiever. But that doesn't mean the son or daughter is automatically qualified / a high achiever. Could well be qute the opposite.

Just now, scorecard said:

There's another salient point in my view. Family political dynasties: common in many Asian countries including Thailand several times, Thaksin the main example.

Also in other countries, e.g. the US the Bush family.

But there's at least one major flaw in the family dynasties approach. The first leader may well be very well qualified and a high achiever. But that doesn't mean the son or daughter is automatically qualified / a high achiever. Could well be qute the opposite.

1 hour ago, scorecard said:

Also in other countries, the US just one example, the Bush family.

A better example would be the Kennedys.

On 1/12/2026 at 10:00 AM, CMHomeboy78 said:

Thaksin's nephew Yodchanan - the latest family nominee for PM - is wasting no time in promoting the familiar populist Shinawatra schemes.

Forget about that transparent vote-buying chicanery and concentrate on what is really needed here, effective measures to alleviate Chiang Mai's two main problems - toxic air pollution in the burning season and catastropic floods during the monsoon.

.... plus policies which promoe the economy, create development and jobs. Not mentioned.

On 2/2/2026 at 1:37 AM, scorecard said:

There's another salient point in my view. Family political dynasties, common in many Asian countries including Thailand several times, Thaksin the main example.

Also in other countries, the US just one example, the Bush family.

But there's at least one major flaw in the family dynasties approach. The first leader may well be very well qualified and a high achiever. But that doesn't mean the son or daughter is automatically qualified / a high achiever. Could well be quite the opposite.

On 2/2/2026 at 1:37 AM, scorecard said:

Example: Thaksin has one son, nothing like his father in any way,

never been involved in any key strategic or decision making roles in thaksin companies. Got caught cheating at 2 Thai universities, several business failures, entagled in nasty cronyism: his father had the winner of the contract for all advertising in trains, staions, in publications etc., cancelled and reissued to his son who had no experience in that field, failed again. His TV company full of cronies and bull<deleted> comments / programs, failed.

18 hours ago, scorecard said:

.... plus policies which promoe the economy, create development and jobs. Not mentioned.

"Not mentioned" because not relevant to my point, which was about addressing the real and immediate public health issues here, as opposed to the Shinawatra clan's populist schemes to buy votes and run the show again.

Anybody who has been here for a while knows that they have a lot of support among certain demographics, and for good reasons.

30 baht healthcare for the poorest of the poor - OTOP, that promotes rural economies, to give two examples.

Both laudable, but at what cost? The imposition of an entrenched family dynasty that has plundered the country since 2001?

This corrupt clan is rich beyond the dreams of avarice. Where do you think their zillions came from... the family silk shop on Huay Kaew?

2 hours ago, CMHomeboy78 said:

"Not mentioned" because not relevant to my point, which was about addressing the real and immediate public health issues here, as opposed to the Shinawatra clan's populist schemes to buy votes and run the show again.

Anybody who has been here for a while knows that they have a lot of support among certain demographics, and for good reasons.

30 baht healthcare for the poorest of the poor - OTOP, that promotes rural economies, to give two examples.

Both laudable, but at what cost? The imposition of an entrenched family dynasty that has plundered the country since 2001?

This corrupt clan is rich beyond the dreams of avarice. Where do you think their zillions came from... the family silk shop on Huay Kaew?

"Where do you think their zillions came from... the family silk shop on Huay Kaew?"

Nice point. What's not well known is that thaksin's billions came from (the tax free) sale of his telecom's company.

The bottom line is that he was handed a telecom's license on a plater by a thug general who had conducted a coup and over 200 young Thai people were shot / murdered in the coup in the Soi Aree area, their bodies thrown on tucks and quickly moed away and the whereabouts of their bodies is still unknown.

There was no bidding etc., to gain a telecom's license, in fact at that time the law stated that all telecom's acticivity must be conducted by the government. Only one license was issued, to thaksin. He formed a telecom's company and soon had a very large number of subscribers, all at the time when mobile phones first went on sale at very high prices and thaksin's company charged very high fees.

@scorecard

Thanks for the reminder about the Temasek deal.

A 73bn baht payday - tax-free to boot.

That was only the tip of the Shinawatra iceberg, as I'm sure you'll agree.

Slippery and dishonest property speculation has always been their forte.

As already mentioned in this thread, Thaksin is "...where he belongs". Let's hope he's in the slammer for a long time, because once out he will be doing everything he can to get one of his proxies back into power.