News from Thailand – November 3, 2014

The Green World Foundation found 24 species of flora and fauna in a 675-hour survey Bang Kachao, a peninsula in Bangkok known as 'the lungs of the city'. 10 academics and 200 citizens took part in the survey, which started at 150 a.m. on Saturday.

Concerns about the future of the area surfaced early this year when residents discovered that the zoning plan had been changed. The changes were made without sufficient input from the population, critics say. They fear that real estate developers will abuse the plan. There are also concerns about erosion and wastewater discharges.

– During a raid Saturday night / Monday morning in a massage parlor in Khum Phra Ram (Bangkok), a team of police and army found a list of names of agents who collect money to turn a blind eye. Drugs were also found.

A second raid was made in the nearby entertainment venue annex restaurant Rider Resort. The establishment does not have the required licenses and offers sex services. The head of the national police force has ordered an investigation.

– Authorities in Songkhla are looking for four youths suspected of an attack on Saturday that killed four villagers and injured seven. Witnesses have stated that these are young people. The police suspect that they have just been trained, because they are not known to the authorities.

At the scene of the accident, 28 rounds of M16 rifles were found. The police hope to find out the identity of the perpetrators on the basis of camera images. They left flyers saying the attack was an act of revenge because authorities shot "the wrong people" in Bacho in October.

– When the District of Chiang Khong (Chiang Rai) status special economic zone it loses "its identity and soul," says deputy district chief Thawatchai Phucharoenyod. The number of Chinese investors is already increasing. They buy land and real estate.

Thawatchai predicts that land prices will rise to 6 million baht per rai. Local businesses and residents are then out of the game. The deputy chief is also concerned about the environment and industrialization in the district. He further sketches a future of international crime, illegal drugs, money laundering and human trafficking. He sees only one bright spot: job opportunities and more money for residents.

The government intends to designate twelve border regions as special economic zones. In the first phase, they are Mae Sot (Tak), Aranyaprathet (Sa Kaeo), Khlong Yai (Trat), Muang (Mukdahan) and Muang (Songkhla). Later, the seven others, including Chiang Khong, are next. The purpose of these zones is to boost the economy. Foreign investors would be very happy to settle because of exemption from customs tariffs.

– The 147 national parks in Thailand are free to enter on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has announced. The exemption has been decided because of the junta campaign Returning Happiness to the People.

The DNP will also develop a bicycle route in Khao Yai National Park (Nakhon Ratchasima) as the Prime Minister has a policy to promote bicycle paths. That statement is given by Nipol Chotiban, head of the DNP. Similar plans exist for other parks as well. The DNP is trying to get it done before the turn of the year.

In many popular national parks, the campgrounds are already fully booked, says Nipol. Doi Inthanon, Suthep-Pui and Hauy Nam Dang in Chiang Mai filled up first. Phu Kradueng (Loei) and Preah Vihear (Si Sa Ket) are also full.

The DNP has instructed the parks to prepare for emergencies. Emergency coordination centers have been set up in five national parks. Tourists who want to do adventurous things like rafting and rock climbing need to register.

– More than 10.000 people petition the National Library to make historical documents accessible online. The Fine Arts Department says staff shortages and a limited budget make that difficult. Work is underway on a search engine that directs readers to books of manuscripts.

Academic Praphatsorn Phosrithong handed over the petition on Thursday, specifically asking for documents from before the Rama V period. "Many people want to consult them," he says. "They don't know where to find them or they don't know they exist." If the National Library accepts the request, Praphatsorn is ready to raise funds.

According to a specialist in ancient languages, the manuscripts are written in ancient Thai and in an ancient alphabet, which means that they can only be deciphered by experts. He thinks it would be better to put the translated documents online.

www.dickvanderlugt.nl – Source: Bangkok Post

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