Thailand To Rival Disneyland

[george]

Bt2bn Lanna plan to rival Disneyland

CHIANG MAI: -- Tourism agencies plan to spend Bt2.1 billion to develop Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Mae Hong Son provinces as a hub for the Lanna culture with the aim of competing with Hong Kong’s Disneyland, which is scheduled to open in September.

Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said four major projects were under way or planned in the three provinces.

The first attraction would be Chiang Mai’s new convention centre, which would have a seating capacity for 3,000 people. It was currently under construction near the city’s provincial sports complex and would be completed in 2007.

The second attraction was the Chiang Mai Night Safari.

The third development was a central market in Chiang Mai, designed as a trading centre for local products.

Somsak said it was proposed to build a tram system running on a circular track and linking Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Mae Hong Son. The government believed it should be built and operated by a private developer.

The new mass transport system would cut travel time between the three provinces to between one and three hours and would help tourists to reach their destinations easily and cheaply.

“All the projects are expected to be completed in 2007,” Somsak said.

The minister said Chiang Mai would also “re-launch” its famous shopping street – Tha Pae road – making it a new shopping area. The city would also decorate buildings and landscapes to make them more attractive to visitors.

In Lamphun, Somsak said government agencies would choose an area in Muang district to develop as a new tourist destination that would focus on shopping. Fang District in Chiang Mai province would be developed as a market centre for local products.

“We can actually compete with Hong Kong’s Disneyland by using our products – the Lanna way of life, the northern culture and locally made products and handicrafts,” Somsak said. “We have learned the success of using a cultural theme in tourism from countries such as the US and some Europe countries.”

Meanwhile, TAT’s office in Chiang Mai is promoting new products including health tours, spa treatments and natural hot springs. It is also campaigning to boost agro tours, herb and animal farms and adventure and cultural tours.

TAT aims to increase tourist arrivals to the northern provinces by 10 per cent this year to reach four million visitors, spending Bt50 billion. It will concentrate on the meeting incentive convention exhibition (MICE) market and high-end travellers.

Chiang Mai is also developing as a regional aviation hub. There are plans to increase direct flights from Chiang Mai to other countries, avoiding the need for tourists to transit through Bangkok.

--The Nation 2005-07-23

[The_Eye_Of_Sauron]

We can actually compete with Hong Kong’s Disneyland by using our products – the Lanna way of life, the northern culture and locally made products and handicrafts,”

Like a Mickey Mouse made out of woven rattan.

That sounds nice and cuddly.

[sajal]

im really starting to believe the south is being ignored....

[The_Other_Mac]

And a hovercraft.

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Hmm. Disney World, or a convention centre?

Let me think about that for a minute...

[The_Eye_Of_Sauron]

The city would also decorate buildings and landscapes to make them more attractive to visitors.

Tinsel and Christmas lights all yr round would be quite nice.

[Rumpole]

The self-delusion is breathtaking.

[Gazza]

Oh No! Another goofy scheme dreamt up by a mickey mouse government.

[slapdashkitty]

WOW! a convention center with 3000 seats!!! That will sure please the kiddies...

[khall64au]

WOW! a convention center with 3000 seats!!! That will sure please the kiddies...

         

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hmmmm.... Disneyworld, Furnitureworld , Stereoworld.

Chiang mai World has a ring to it!

[The Dan Sai Kid]

WOW! a convention center with 3000 seats!!! That will sure please the kiddies...

         

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hmmmm.... Disneyworld, Furnitureworld , Stereoworld.

Chiang mai World has a ring to it!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Chiang Mai World is the next logical step.

They already have Chiang Mai Land...

(Sorry, couldn't resist it)

[AmeriThai]

Forget the kiddies. The TAT is aiming to "concentrate on the meeting incentive convention exhibition (MICE) market and high-end travellers."

[Amethyst]

Well this is going to be hard for Thailand...Singapore have been approved by the goverment to Build a Casino and also Entertainment are like Disney World...at Sentosa Island...If Thailand continues to build this Theme park They will have a Hard time Being Rival With Singapore...

Remember Singapore will have a Legal Casino and plus a disney world most probably MGM or CESAR Will manage...

And Thailand is just a Theme park....

If you got an Option to choose Btw Singapore And Thailand ?Which Do u go ??

As for me i choose Singapore as i can go on to the Casino and do all my bettings while my family can go to the Themepark nearby... :)

So its all about competition....

______________________________________________________

They need to settle the problem in the South first before making any plans for big projects...

Edited July 22, 2005 by tytus

[Sandstone Art]

"Somsak said it was proposed to build a tram system running on a circular track and linking Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Mae Hong Son. The government believed it should be built and operated by a private developer. "

So WHO will be that private developer when there are money to be made??

[stumonster]

So WHO will be that private developer when there are money to be made?? 

ask mr 't' s wife.....

[sajal]

So WHO will be that private developer when there are money to be made?? 

ask mr 't' s wife.....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

the company who bigs the highest *tea* money for some polititions...

or....shin corporaton...

Edited July 23, 2005 by devil_dog

[carlthailand]

So WHO will be that private developer when there are money to be made?? 

ask mr 't' s wife.....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, actually, it was supposed to be his younger sister but she has other matters on hand. Now his wife will handle all queries BUT only when Uranus is rising.

C

Edited July 23, 2005 by carlthailand

[Pattayaman]

Should do well considering Thailand has a micky mouse PM

[monty]

Some parts in Thailand migh be considered a Disneyland already, specifically for the single male, who mentally got stuck at being a hormone challenged teenager

[kidtongue]

Bt2bn Lanna plan to rival Disneyland

CHIANG MAI: -- Tourism agencies plan to spend Bt2.1 billion to develop Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Mae Hong Son provinces as a hub for the Lanna culture with the aim of competing with Hong Kong’s Disneyland, which is scheduled to open in September.

Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said four major projects were under way or planned in the three provinces.

The first attraction would be Chiang Mai’s new convention centre, which would have a seating capacity for 3,000 people. It was currently under construction near the city’s provincial sports complex and would be completed in 2007.

The second attraction was the Chiang Mai Night Safari.

The third development was a central market in Chiang Mai, designed as a trading centre for local products.

Somsak said it was proposed to build a tram system running on a circular track and linking Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Mae Hong Son. The government believed it should be built and operated by a private developer.

The new mass transport system would cut travel time between the three provinces to between one and three hours and would help tourists to reach their destinations easily and cheaply.

“All the projects are expected to be completed in 2007,” Somsak said.

The minister said Chiang Mai would also “re-launch” its famous shopping street – Tha Pae road – making it a new shopping area. The city would also decorate buildings and landscapes to make them more attractive to visitors.

In Lamphun, Somsak said government agencies would choose an area in Muang district to develop as a new tourist destination that would focus on shopping. Fang District in Chiang Mai province would be developed as a market centre for local products.

“We can actually compete with Hong Kong’s Disneyland by using our products – the Lanna way of life, the northern culture and locally made products and handicrafts,” Somsak said. “We have learned the success of using a cultural theme in tourism from countries such as the US and some Europe countries.”

Meanwhile, TAT’s office in Chiang Mai is promoting new products including health tours, spa treatments and natural hot springs. It is also campaigning to boost agro tours, herb and animal farms and adventure and cultural tours.

TAT aims to increase tourist arrivals to the northern provinces by 10 per cent this year to reach four million visitors, spending Bt50 billion. It will concentrate on the meeting incentive convention exhibition (MICE) market and high-end travellers.

Chiang Mai is also developing as a regional aviation hub. There are plans to increase direct flights from Chiang Mai to other countries, avoiding the need for tourists to transit through Bangkok.

--The Nation 2005-07-23

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow, 3000 people. Enough to fit a school. Or, alternatively, representatives of families whose members have been shot as narco-traffickers within the past year.

All for $50,000,000 USD too

The direct flights from other countries is really quite clever because it will provide airlines with a terrific place to refuel as they keep their holding pattern for the new airport.

Didn't realize that DreamWorld was in talks to relocate for the HK level tax breaks that must be part of the incentives package. Maybe they're going to be developing the inter-province light rail system as well, after options on a pre-approved land route are suitably snapped up. Or maybe the government is going to encourage a JV between Phuket FantaSea and Dreamworld called Fantastic Dream...

[carlthailand]

Why is it. That every idea coming from the government just gets sillier and sillier.

Oh my God. Are they trying to be the hub of Comedy Central too.

[mcfester]

im really starting to believe the south is being ignored....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You only have to look at where Mr T is from to know why.

At least it beats the tsunami theme park idea

Edited July 23, 2005 by mcfester

[eljeque]

The new hub of worlds.

[WISteve]

""concentrate on the meeting incentive convention exhibition (MICE) market and high-end travellers.""

I'd love to see the demographics on this mystical "high-end traveler" that Mr T seems so convinced he can attract! I thought they already had their one million tourists signed up for the special priveleges card so they could dump the rest of us folks? No wait. That didn't turn out quite the way they planned either, did it?

Every one knows that falang have "money too mutt" and are so easily separated from it..........

~WISteve

[Dakhar]

Compete against Disney....

There is no competition, a convention center, and Disney are two different animals. That is like saying Lance Armstrong will compete in a drag race!

The target markets in this so called "competition" are different. Weird, no logic, but this is Thailand.

[richard10365]

im really starting to believe the south is being ignored....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Why would anyone put Micky Mouse's life in danger by moving him to a dangerous place like the south of Thailand?

Dosen't the south have Phuket?

[kayo]

Wow Mammy! Look at the rides:

City Hall

The welcome center of Mae Hong Mouse, is where you can ask questions, make dining reservations, exchange currency, leave messages and find guide maps. You may leave a gratuity in the really big pot on the desk.

Mae Ding Dong Railroad.

Take a grand circle tour of Mae Chang SaenLandland on an excursion-style supertram with a stop in Chiang Mailand.

Market Parkit Vehicles.

Enjoy a nostalgic and leisurely trip in an Toyota, Nissan, Honda dream or Market Parkit tuk-tuk from City Hall to Town Square. Bypassing Hong Kong altogether.

From Hong Kong Disneyland

A magical kingdom of dreams...

A realm of adventure...

A place where the fantasies of yesterday and tomorrow come to life...

This is Hong Kong Disneyland.

Attractions

Sleeping Beauty Castle

At the end of Main Street enter Fantasyland via this storybook castle of Sleeping Beauty with its pink and blue parapets and towers.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Follow Pooh through his whimsical dream of Heffalumps and Woozles aboard a hunny pot for a story book adventure through the Hundred Acre Wood.

Fantasy Gardens

Meet and take your photos with Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and all their Disney friends in this one-of-a-kind attraction - presented by Kodak.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Fly high above Fantasyland aboard everyone's favorite elephant.

Mad Hatter Tea Cups

Spin around in the Mad Hatter Tea Cups in a most unconventional tea party.

Cinderella Carousel

Ride an enchanted horse or chariot through an adventure of music and color.

Snow White Grotto

Make a wish in the Wishing Well and enjoy this quiet corner in a tribute to Walt Disney's very first animated feature.

Fantasyland Train Station

Toon-themed train stop half-way on your journey around Hong Kong Disneyland

Go Convention Center!!!!

[PeaceBlondie]

A supertram to MAE HONG SON? Did anybody bother to get out a map of northern Thailand? While the amphur muangs of Chiang Mai and Lamphun are only 30 km apart, MHSon is almost in central Burma! Last month, they talked about building a TUNNEL to MHSon.

Whoopey doo, 3000 seats in a convention center. That's a high school auditorium. A real convention center seats 30,000 or more.

Do these folks know what a THEME PARK is?

SAOTW, that's all this is: the silliest announcement of the week.

Pure fairy tales. And people think I'm juvenile for using Peter Pan as my avatar.....

[Boatabike]

"shakes head slowly, blinks back a few tears of dispare and reaches for the close window icon".

[Gazza]

As an old friend used to regularly say "If members of the Thai government had two more brain cells between them......they'd be geraniums'