Yingluck Announces Policy Of Turning Chiang Rai Into A Special Economic Zone

[webfact]

Prime minister announces policy of turning Chiang Rai into a special economic zone

BANGKOK, 14 February 2013 (NNT) – The prime minister and her delegation yesterday traveled to Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai and announced the policy of turning the province into a special economic zone.

The prime minister's delegation followed up on the situation of border trade at the Mae Sai border point, before handing down the policy of creating a special economic zone at Chiang Rai, as the province borders on 3 countries: Laos, Myanmar and China.

The provincial administration was given the task of devising a strategy for product development. The provincial governor was also told to quickly solve the problem of haze in the area. According to the prime minister, the construction of a high-speed rail link and other transportation infrastructures that link Chiang Mai with Chiang Rai must conform to city planning laws.

The prime minister then inspected border points and observed border trade in Mae Sai, taking her time to talk to vendors at the border market, before departing for Chiang Mai.

-- NNT 2013-02-14

[villagefarang]

At Chiang Rai Airport to pick up my wife yesterday it was clear someone was arriving so we got out of there before things got too busy. I figured it was probably our PM.

[sceadugenga]

The provincial governor was also told to quickly solve the problem of haze in the area.

Yes, I could see that too much haze could affect a special economic zone.

[Ricardo]

And the high-speed-rail will link CM & CR, that'll be good.

[wolfmanjack]

Maybe the map i have is wrong but i can't see where chiang rai borders china.

[sceadugenga]

You must be holding it upside down like my wife does.

[maidu]

How 'bout a 'Special Environmental Zone'?

If it's a Shinawatre initiative, it only looks at money. Environmental issues are considered silly or wimpy by them.

[villagefarang]

Nothing particularly Thai about looking at the world in terms of economics. Sure in our village, if you can’t catch it, eat it, cut it down, dig it up, or kill it to make a few baht, then you may as well burn it to make way for something you can eat or sell. Nothing else seems to matter much. Isn’t that true in most of the world, though?

[maidu]

Other countries have implement environmental initiatives which enhance 'quality of life' such as dedicated jogging/cyclist routes and places geared for children's recreation. Thailand embraces the Chinese method; scrape parcels flat and pack as many housing/shop units as possible. Virtually no park space. Even if Thailand were to dedicate any jogging or bike paths, it would be impossible to keep vendors or motorbikes from using them.

[RubbaJohnny]

Pity they do not even know how many countires it borders 2 not 3.

There were boats to China until the shooting sfrom C Saen port and Boten in Lao.

Hard to believe the opinions when they cannot even get the facts correct.

Of course many locals see there is no border to Chinese (convey of 20 vehicles pased other day none had Thai readable mubers of road docs)

They are buying allegedly hge tracts and are resented in a mumbling way by the Thais.

I think trade will grow but if yellows come back the cash will be turned off as its a red hotbed

[Joel Barlow]

Maybe they were thinking that the casinos are Chinese.