Tunnel route to Mae Hong Son

[Sawatdee]

Tunnel route study approved by cabinet
Mae Hong Son to Chiang Mai shortcut
Bangkok Post, 8th February 2006
PREEYANAT PHANAYANGGOOR

Chiang Mai _ The cabinet yesterday gave the go-ahead for a feasibility study of the proposed tunnel under the northern mountain ridge to create a shortcut from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son province. The Ministry of Transport would be in charge of studying the viability and construction costs of the project, which would help shorten the route between Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son by 60km, said government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee.

There was still no estimated cost for the project, he said.

However, it was likely to be 20% more expensive than a normal road because of the costs of digging the tunnel through the mountain ridge.

The Chiang Mai-Samoeng-Mae Hong Son route was proposed by businesses in the eight upper northern provinces _ Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Phrae, Nan, Mae Hong Son, Lampang and Phayao. But a prominent Chiang Mai environmentalist, Nikhom Phutta, of Wildlife Fund Thailand, opposed the project saying it would cause grave damage to the dense forest.

''The mountain ridge between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son is covered by a wide range of prime forest. Road construction will cause an unacceptable impact on this fragile ecosystem and on wild animals,'' he said.

The road would also lead to an influx of illegal goods, including weapons and drugs, from Burma via Mae Hong Son to Chiang Mai, said Mr Nikhom.

The existing Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son route was well-known for being tough on drivers as it has almost 2,000 curves, but this was part of the innate charm of these northern provinces, he said.

The cabinet yesterday also approved around a five-billion-baht budget for development projects in Chiang Mai and all seven upper northern provinces.

The approved projects include a 300 million baht to tackle floods in Chiang Mai, a plan to build another knowledge park in Chiang Mai, similar to Thailand Knowledge Park (TK Park) in Bangkok, a plan to introduce the sufficiency economy concept to Karen communities and the preservation plan around Chiang Mai's old city duct.

For the upper northern provinces, the cabinet approved around 27.6 million baht for a plan to develop the Wiang Lor archeological site in Phayao and 13 projects under the strategy to turn the region into a software and medical hub as well as to become a gateway for investment and transportation, connecting the Greater Mekong Sub-region countries and members of the Bangladesh-India-Myanmar-Sri Lanka-Thailand Economic Cooperation, or Bimstec.

The projects include a new road running parallel to the railway between Chiang Mai and Lamphun, and improvement of Mae Hong Son airport.

The cabinet, however, approved only 300 million baht out of the proposed 13 billion baht for the flood early warning system along the Ping River, a top priority of locals.

Mr Surapong said the government wanted to wait for proposals from foreign investors about water management megaprojects, to be considered on April 28, before making any decisions about flood prevention schemes.

[Richard Barrow]

This one should be added to the long list of crazy projects. In Thailand, the government quite often speak to the press before they have thought things through. Who wants to drive to Mae Hong Son in a dark tunnel? I agree the road is tough going as I did it a couple of years ago. But that was half the adventure. There isn't a lot of beauty in Mae Hong Son itself as it is over-rated. However, the journey there makes the whole thing worthwhile. I feel sorry for the people that just fly there as they miss so much. Plus they don't get the certificate for driving around 1,900 or so bends in the road. Please don't build a tunnel.

[Khun Don]

I am sure the amount of money it would cost to tunnel would be far better spent on protecting the enviroment and improving the life of the people in the area. The only people likely to benefit from a tunnel are the contractors and the politicos receiving the "kick backs" for the contracts - which is probably why it will be seriously considered !!

[Richard Barrow]

Like the bridge across the Gulf of Thailand. Sounds crazy but they wanted to build one of the longest bridges in the world in order to cut the corner for cars driving south to Hua Hin. Hopefully that idea was also thrown out of the window.

[FaranginPhetch]

can't you just imagine the tie ups and conditions inside the tunnel during wrecks and breakdowns, and you know for sure that there will be a lot of both, plus the pollution inside with all the diesel engines running with never a tune up in Thailand.
I wonder where these guys get the stuff they smoke???

[DanD]

can't you just imagine the tie ups and conditions inside the tunnel during wrecks and breakdowns, and you know for sure that there will be a lot of both, plus the pollution inside with all the diesel engines running with never a tune up in Thailand.
I wonder where these guys get the stuff they smoke???

"...from Burma via Mae Hong Son to Chiang Mai."

[khunlungphudhu]

Did this trip three times in January

First time I could not believe it!
Second time family did not believe it!
Third time I was just plain INSANE!
Fantastic ride though, truly spactacular scenery. Beautiful.

[SiamJai]

As a scientist, I share the concern of the prominent environmentalist quoted in the original article. Prime forests are untouched, undeveloped ecosystems, and as such, they are part of a rare, treasured heritage of any nation.

As usual, businesses are quick to sacrifice everyone's treasure for their personal gain. What surprised me is that gas savings and an hour less travel time could warrant this crazy idea to be considered seriously. It's just another sad reminder that a CEO is running the country - for now.

[Khun Don]

And after the tunnel feasibility study comes...........

Now it’s “Chiang Mai World” and cable-cars again

Nopniwat Krailerg (Chiangmai Mail 11/02/06)

Three Chiang Mai univer-sities, in partnership with Chiang Mai Night Safari, have just been given a government budget of 12 million baht to conduct a feasibility study and formulate a plan concerning several aspects of local tourism, including marine tourism, tribal tourism, historical tourism and handicraft tourism. The plan, expected to be completed in about six months is primarily to develop tourism locations and to increase their efficiency by adding value to the tourism product.

On January 30, Plodprasop Surasawadee, assistant of Minister of Natural Resources and Environment on behalf of the Director of Chiang Mai Night Safari, signed a cooperation contract hiring consultants for the Chiang Mai tourism development plan. The contracts were between the Night Safari and three educational institutes, Chiang Mai, Maejo and Kasetsart universities. These three universities are expert in many academic fields and they have enthusiastically accepted the task of being consultants for the Chiang Mai tourism development plan, and spending the money wisely.

Plodprasop informed them that he had been assigned by PM Thaksin Shinawatra to study and form a tourism plan for Chiang Mai by linking nature, history, culture and archeology to form a tourism route, adding that these four aspects of the tourism route would be linked to Chiang Mai Night Safari, and locations nearby, to become “Chiang Mai World”. Chiang Mai Night Safari and the International Horticultural Exposition are the first attractions of the proposed Chiang Mai World, to be followed by an Elephant Park, with an Aquarium and Theme Park planned for the near future. These tourist attractions will be linked by cable car over a 15 km. distance.

The cable car will start from Chiang Mai Zoo going on to Huay Kaew Waterfall, the Elephant Park and Night Safari and terminating at the International Horticulture Exposition. It will also be linked with a light electric tramway into the city with a terminus at Chiang Mai Zoo, providing a swift environmentally friendly means of avoiding traffic jams along Huay Kaew road.

With regard to each uni-versity’s role in the Chiang Mai tourism development plan, CMU is responsible for studying history, culture and handicraft while Maejo University is studying tribes and agriculture, with Kasets art University studying the mountain and marine aspects of the scheme.

[FaranginPhetch]

WOW, Now don't that really put the frosting on the cake..

So you really believe he is getting the stuff that he appears to be smoking from Burma, thru mai hong son to chiang mai.??