Please contemplate what Chiang Mai environment and quality of life will be like in what appears to be the not too distant future:

Bangkok Post

July 24, 2010

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has approved the army chief's proposal to spend 10 billion baht on developing a new infantry division in Chiang Mai to secure the northern border with Burma and Laos, suppress drugs and cope with red shirt protesters, according to an army source.

Gen Anupong, who will retire at the end of September, assigned the 3rd Army late last year to study the establishment of the 7th Infantry Division based in Chiang Mai. The new division will have 25,000 soldiers.

The establishment of the infantry division will cost about 10 billion baht. The spending will take five years and start next year.

10 Billion baht.. Nice chunk of change from my tax money..

It's sad to see the amounts of tax money being demanded by the military, largely to fight their own people.

At least it'll get spent in Chiang Mai, so a nice benefit to the local economy. Those 25,000 soldiers need to eat, shop & party.

The question is.

Will it be any safer than it is now?