Chiang Mai University to curb onslaught of Chinese tourists

[webfact]

University To Curb Onslaught Of Chinese Tourists

By Khaosod English


Photo from http://news.cm108.com/

BANGKOK: -- Chiang Mai University says it will impose "visiting fees" and other regulations to curb waves of sightseeing Chinese tourists.

The decision was announced by today Mr. Rome Jiranukrom, a deputy dean of Chiang Mai University.

According to Mr. Rome, the university administration has received numerous complaints about Chinese tourists whose visits to the scenic university compound have caused much annoyance to the students and other staff.

"I have to admit that the fact that CMU is a popular attraction for the Chinese tourists is both an opportunity and a threat for the university community at the same time," Mr. Rome said, explaining that their visits have affected traffic and public order in the establishment.

Some Chinese tourists have camped out next to ponds in the university and "disrupted" classes during their sightseeing around the university, while others like to occupy seats on university buses which are reserved for the students, Mr. Rome complained.

Among the more bizarre incidents is Chinese tourists dressing up in the university students′ uniform and taking pictures with the university landmarks, Mr. Rome said, adding that the security guards detained 4 such tourists yesterday during their "cosplay" activity.

The 4 tourists were later reportedly escorted to meet with the CMU directors who informed them that their action is considered inappropriate by the university community.

The group was also taken to a police station in Chiang Mai province where they were charged with violating the laws; Mr. Rome said disguising oneself in a CMU student uniform without proper reasons is punishable by a maximum penalty of 1 year in prison or 100,000 baht fine.

Although the university will most likely drop the charge, Mr. Rome said he hoped the case would serve as a "lesson" to other Chinese visitors.

To regulate the flows of tourists into the university, Mr. Rome told our correspondent, the CMU administration has imposed visiting fees of 50 baht per one adult (20 baht per child) for those who wish to visit the university.

If the tourists arrive on vehicles, they would be required to park them in the university parking lot and pay parking fees, according to the new regulation. A bicycle would cost 50 baht per 4 hours parking, 100 baht for a motorbike, and 200 baht for a car.

Upon entering the CMU compound, the tourists would also be required to board the trams which would take them to tour various attractions in the university. The trams will make no stop, except at the famous pond for 15-minutes photo op. The trams will leave every 30 minutes, and the tour will take approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Rome said.

Mr. Rome insisted that these measures are necessary to maintain public order in the university as more and more Chinese tourists continue to pour into Chiang Mai and the university.

"I want this issue to be an agenda for Chiang Mai province, so that all sides can find solid solution," said the deputy dean.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNU16UXhPREV6T1E9PQ==


-- Khaosod English 2014-02-27

[Pikeybkk]

Mr. Rome said disguising oneself in a CMU student uniform without proper reasons is punishable by a maximum penalty of 1 year in prison or 100,000 baht fine........hahahahaha, you should lock up the so called real students as well

[harrry]

While I understand the problem I do not like the solution. Universities should be open. THe libraries should be a resource for all. CMU ever since its disgusting treatment of the students at CMU Language Institute seems a more and more xenaphobic place ( and I do not use that word in relation to anywhere or anyone else in Thailand).

[Ianatlarge]

Seems a tad draconian, an over reaction. So, bunches of dumb ass tourists are wondering around your campus, what is new? Getting them to obey the same rules as everyone else is fine, but a visiting fee, really. Chill dude, chill.

[Katipo]

Chinese tourists. You can't live with them, you can't live without.... no wait, yes, yes you can live without them.

[Suradit69]

Mr. Rome said disguising oneself in a CMU student uniform without proper reasons is punishable by a maximum penalty of 1 year in prison or 100,000 baht fine........hahahahaha, you should lock up the so called real students as well

"hahahahaha"

Laughing at one's own (attempt at) "humor" is seldom attractive.

[Joe Mamma]

Cheap thrills are gonna cost you.

[allan michaud]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Mr. Rome said disguising oneself in a CMU student uniform without proper reasons is punishable by a maximum penalty of 1 year in prison or 100,000 baht fine........hahahahaha, you should lock up the so called real students as well

Good grief, so would it also be illegal if I managed to persuade the wife to wear a school uniform of an evening?

I can't help thinking they are just making it up as they go along. I really find it hard to believe that there is an actual law stating it is illegal to wear a school uniform. Only in Thailand.

[Tatsujin]

Those "quality tourists" not behaving themselves?

[alllyn]

Mr. Rome said disguising oneself in a CMU student uniform without proper reasons is punishable by a maximum penalty of 1 year in prison or 100,000 baht fine........hahahahaha, you should lock up the so called real students as well

"hahahahaha"

Laughing at one's own (attempt at) "humor" is seldom attractive.

( attempt at) defining attractive is seldom appreciated.

[brit1984]

as a student, i found it very annoying having tourists (mostly americans) taking photos of everything while i was trying to go about my day

any uni in the world that is worth visiting should have strict rules on where / when visitors can enter, and should certainly charge for the privilege

if chiang mai university is really so picturesque, i'm shocked they allow tourists to roam around for free

[Songhua]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Mr. Rome said disguising oneself in a CMU student uniform without proper reasons is punishable by a maximum penalty of 1 year in prison or 100,000 baht fine........hahahahaha, you should lock up the so called real students as well

Good grief, so would it also be illegal if I managed to persuade the wife to wear a school uniform of an evening?

I can't help thinking they are just making it up as they go along. I really find it hard to believe that there is an actual law stating it is illegal to wear a school uniform. Only in Thailand.

If your wife was a uni student it'd be ok

[MESmith]

Don't they have security guards at all entrances to campus?

[jphantom]

Try visiting a Chinese university library! You will be treated rudely and denied any access. I don't know about access to Chinese college campuses now, but in years past, much of the college grounds were off limits to non-students.

[risky11]

I think the university is doing the right thing. Students and teachers belong there. Tourists do not. Can you imagine any other place of business allowing tourists to walk around freely on their property? Well, actually, I did manage to wander around the Nike campus in Beaverton, OR all afternoon without being challenged or detained. But security is a huge issue nowadays. The owner of any property has a right to refuse anyone admittance. Violators are trespassing. Same with impersonating a student. The whole reason they wear uniforms is to identify themselves as students. Same with police officers, military and many other professions. Can you imagine tourists wearing doctors and nurses uniforms in a hospital - just for fun? Or donning TSA agent uniforms at the airport? hahaha They would be detained and arrested too. Well done Mr. Rome!

[WilliamCave]

Chinese girls putting on Thai uni uniforms compation for the CMU girls

Lol

[WilliamTaylor]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Mr. Rome said disguising oneself in a CMU student uniform without proper reasons is punishable by a maximum penalty of 1 year in prison or 100,000 baht fine........hahahahaha, you should lock up the so called real students as well

Good grief, so would it also be illegal if I managed to persuade the wife to wear a school uniform of an evening?

I can't help thinking they are just making it up as they go along. I really find it hard to believe that there is an actual law stating it is illegal to wear a school uniform. Only in Thailand.

I can't help thinking they are just making it up as they go along either. Is there any proof that this is an actual law and that this in not simply a case of people with connections to those in power trying to shake down tourists who not in a position to know any better for some unofficial fines? What kind of third-world crap is this?

[harrry]

Uniform misrepresentation I can understand can be stopped.

The main campus is 800 acres or so of ground. It has traditionally been open to the public for recreational purposes...it contains many public services like Post Office banks etc. Most Universities I know are open to the public provided reasonable behaviour is maintained. I know at the one I attended it was considered that it was a right and several environmental features were more considered to be the property of the people rather than the university.

Security of property and equipment could be a concern but the Universit I attended had little trouble in that respect with normal precautions.

[Lancelot]

I love Chinese tourists, they rock, 555!

I have personally seen hordes of Thai students invade Starbucks and McDonalds, occupy seats, socialize- and make no purchases. How about Thai drivers that double and triple park, clogging busy roads on market and school days?

But yeah, lets bash the Chinese.

At least there is no hypocrisy in Thailand

[harrry]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Mr. Rome said disguising oneself in a CMU student uniform without proper reasons is punishable by a maximum penalty of 1 year in prison or 100,000 baht fine........hahahahaha, you should lock up the so called real students as well

Good grief, so would it also be illegal if I managed to persuade the wife to wear a school uniform of an evening?

I can't help thinking they are just making it up as they go along. I really find it hard to believe that there is an actual law stating it is illegal to wear a school uniform. Only in Thailand.

I can't help thinking they are just making it up as they go along either. Is there any proof that this is an actual law and that this in not simply a case of people with connections to those in power trying to shake down tourists who not in a position to know any better for some unofficial fines? What kind of third-world crap is this?

Yes I believe there are laws regarding this and they are quite serious as the uniforms design and badges are a grant from the King.

Edited February 27, 2014 by harrry

[CMfoodie]

Mr. Rome said disguising oneself in a CMU student uniform without proper reasons is punishable by a maximum penalty of 1 year in prison or 100,000 baht fine.

Or they could go to BKK, dress up in black, shoot people and face no penalties!

[JesseFrank]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Mr. Rome said disguising oneself in a CMU student uniform without proper reasons is punishable by a maximum penalty of 1 year in prison or 100,000 baht fine........hahahahaha, you should lock up the so called real students as well

Good grief, so would it also be illegal if I managed to persuade the wife to wear a school uniform of an evening?

I can't help thinking they are just making it up as they go along. I really find it hard to believe that there is an actual law stating it is illegal to wear a school uniform. Only in Thailand.

If your wife was a uni student it'd be ok

How about if she worked in the " Classroom ".

[elzach]

For those who are not aware, search for the movie "Lost in Thailand" and you'll find the reason behind the Chinese hordes in CM.

I have Chinese friends who had never been outside of the mainland, and when I asked them where they'd like to travel to, they immediately said Thailand, Chiang Mai.

Well, nobody ever accused them of not being highly impressionable people

[ggt]

Have the people of Chiang Mai forgotten their roots...these Chinese are likely distant relatives...is this how you treat you extended family...?

[Patje]

Try to visit a walking street in one of the more " famous" surroundings , you'll find plenty of school uniform

[smileydude]

This is being creative in the wrong way.

Better to implement security measures, signs and to warn tourists of any infringements.

This makes it look to the Chinese like we see them as nothing but money bags and sends the wrong message to students.

[Rorri]

brit1984, on 27 Feb 2014 - 09:04, said:

as a student, i found it very annoying having tourists (mostly americans) taking photos of everything while i was trying to go about my day

any uni in the world that is worth visiting should have strict rules on where / when visitors can enter, and should certainly charge for the privilege

if chiang mai university is really so picturesque, i'm shocked they allow tourists to roam around for free

Your first sentence is ridiculous, you are only "distracted" if you choose to be. Many universities have "Photography" students, who simply by their course are out taking photos. Do these also "distract" you?

[mowgus]

Don't they have security guards at all entrances to campus?

They do but they don't stop anyone. I'm thinking traffic is now going to get busy around the entrances as they'll need to stop anyone that looks remotely foreign (how they will determine that without stopping everyone and asking for ID will be interesting to see).

It's really unfortunate...I live near the University and enjoy taking relaxing walks along the lake. Now, because of the inappropriate actions of some ignorant people, I won't be able to. Chiang Mai is lacking green space for such activities so it's a real shame to lock it up. Especially as I've lived in CM for a couple of years, hardly a tourist.

[Hecate]

While I understand the problem I do not like the solution. Universities should be open. THe libraries should be a resource for all. CMU ever since its disgusting treatment of the students at CMU Language Institute seems a more and more xenaphobic place ( and I do not use that word in relation to anywhere or anyone else in Thailand).

Just curious, what are you referring to at the Language Institute?

[nomad127]

Charging a fee of 50 THB per person is just stupid. How about those without the proper credentials are denied access, but then again this would require the guards at the gate to actually do something other than sleep.