Cheewin Sattha and Onnucha
Hutasingh
 |
| A scenic spot in tambon
Mae Hia, in Chiang Mai's Muang district, which has been
chosen for the Night Safari Park project. |
Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra's push for a night safari project to boost tourism in
his hometown has drawn mixed reaction from Chiang Mai residents.
Not all residents welcome the idea.
Many say they've been kept in the dark until yesterday, when the
first seminar was held to discuss the project's potential.
Local activists have called for a public forum on the project,
which is based on Singapore's Night Safari zoo.
``Why does our country have to imitate Singapore, which rarely
has natural forests and has to built a night safari park? Our
country has abundant forest resources and does not need to build
such a park.
``Details of the project, such as the ecological, social and
economic impact, must be made public.
``The government should not cite the plan is aimed at boosting
tourism,'' according to a statement issued by 19 people's
organisations.
Surin Khammuang, village head of Ban Tongkai, said if the
government wanted to go ahead with its plan, it had to
compensate affected families for damage to their crops within
the project site.
Almost 100 families have made use of the land in the village for
more than four decades.
Mr Surin expressed concern over environmental problems if a
night safari park was built on the site which is on hilly
grounds higher than Chiang Mai's residential areas.
Locals who relied heavily on underground water for consumption
feared their water would be contaminated if the park was built
there.
``Waste water and animal droppings may be released into canals.
A number of tourists will flock into the park and roads will be
expanded or built.
``The way of life of residents from more than 400 households who
used to stay peacefully will change,'' Mr Surin said.
However, another local leader had a different view.
Thanawat Yodchai, chairman of tambon Mae Hia administration
organisation, said the night safari project would bring about
positive change for nearby communities.
It would generate income for local residents, he said.
Dee Chanthalak, kamnan of tambon Mae Hia, said a public forum on
the project was not necessary.
He said local residents could make the decision by themselves on
whether they wanted the night safari project or not.
He said they did not want outsiders to decide on the fate of the
project.
However, Kriangkrai Sawatyat, assistant chief of Muang Chiang
Mai district, said the majority of local leaders and residents
in tambon Mae Hia considered the night safari project a major
issue and were keen on discussing the matter in a public forum.
Plodprasob Suraswadi, forestry department chief and chairman of
a government committee studying the project, told the meeting in
Chiang Mai that the project would have minimal effect on the
forest
