Chiang Mai builds cultural plaza on demolished prison

BANGKOK, 28 January 2013 (NNT) - Chiang Mai Province is building a cultural plaza on a demolished century-old prison located in the center of the province.

Chiang Mai has knocked down its old prison for female inmates covering a plot of 36 rai in order to build a new public plaza to be called Khuang-Luang-Wiang-Kaew, which will be benefited by both locals and tourists alike. According to Chiang Mai Governor Thanin Supasan, the plaza will be used for organizing religious activities and ceremonies for the sake of Buddhist people.

The demolished prison was built in 1901, 111 years ago. Earlier in 1296, the area used to be part of a royal palace of the Lanna Kingdom. It was called Wiang-Kaew back then. The palace belonged to King Mangrai, who built Chiang Mai as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom.

-- NNT 2013-01-28

Where are the jail "birds" being housed now? I remember reading that there were surprisingly a very large population here in C.M. including a good number of women farangs -- a number of them even convicted of murder.

Where are the jail "birds" being housed now? I remember reading that there were surprisingly a very large population here in C.M. including a good number of women farangs -- a number of them even convicted of murder.

http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=1314

Inside Chaing Mai Women's Prison

James Austin Farrell Jan 25, 2013

Society

The old Chiang Mai women's prison will soon be torn down. The prisoners have already been transferred to the men's prison, while the men have gone to a new prison in Mae Rim. We were allowed a look inside before the place was demolished. It might not look like much, but the Women's Prison was supposed to be one of the best places to do time in Thailand.

You do not want to go to a cultural plaza next to a police station that houses the most corrupt officers in the country.

You do not want to go to a cultural plaza next to a police station that houses the most corrupt officers in the country.

There's one in Phuket?