About 100,000 Tourists Head For Chiang Rai

[george]

About 100,000 tourists head for Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai: -- About 100,000 tourists are expected to head for the northern provinces to celebrate the New Year following the destruction wrought by tsunamis in the South.

Thanyapa Nikhrothanont, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's (TAT) northern district 2 overseeing tourism in Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phrae and Nan said over 60% of people who had booked holidays in the southern region had switched plans and rebooked to visit northern provinces such as Chiang Rai instead.

She expected about 100,000 tourists to visit Chiang Rai over the New Year holiday and spend around 800 million baht, even though countdowns and celebrations at several tourist attractions such as Phu Chee Fa, Doi Mae Salong, and Mae Sai district have been called off as a mark of mourning for the massive number of tsunami deaths.

She said rooms at many hotels in Chiang Rai were still available for tourists and reservations could be made via the TAT office's telephone number at 053-744-674-5.

Yesterday, Chiang Rai administration office reported the province had instructed state agencies to cancel all New Year celebrations in accordance with a cabinet resolution, but was allowing the private sector to use its own discretion on whether to go ahead with festivities.

Thanapol Thanavanich, president of Tabtao tambon administration organisation (TAO) in Thoeng district, said it had cancelled the countdown at Ban Ruam Fa Thai on Phu Chee Fa and would organise a merit-making ceremony in the morning of the same day instead.

Chamroen Cheewinchalermchote, Mae Salong TAO president in Mae Fa Luang district, said the Doi Mae Salong countdown would be replaced by a tea alms-giving ceremony.

--Bangkok Post 2004-12-30

[SiamJai]

/ offensive post removed

/don't do it again....

Edited December 31, 2004 by Darknight

[aaaaaa]

/ offensive post removed

/don't do it again....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

nice work, moderators! the last thing is needed now - that some reckless people heat up the tensions !

good to see that at least in the days of grief and mourning irresponsible posts and remarks are edited out !

[SiamJai]

Okay - sorry for the offensive post. However, I still worry about the mass exodus of revellers to the traditionally peaceful North.

aaaaaaa, I may have posted irresponsibly in these days of grief and mourning - but how about the people who act in an irresponsible and disrespectful manner during these times? The tourists may argue that they paid for having fun - but many victims paid with their lives. How about showing silent reverence for them, rather than just look for another place to party?

Edited December 31, 2004 by SiamJai

[Harmonica]

>>>>> However, I still worry about the mass exodus of revellers to the traditionally peaceful North <<<<<

Get used to it missy.