From BangkokPost.com Breaking News today:

Storm warnings were issued to locals in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Phichit and Tak provinces.

The article stated heavy rains are expected in these areas “June 30 - May 2″. Probably a typo. May 30 - June 2?

Well, here’s a negative side of Thai tourism that many do not like to see:

Excerpts from the article from www.news.com.au today:

THAI provincial officials have allowed a new “human zoo” featuring long-necked or “giraffe” women to open near Bangkok despite mounting international criticism of the tourism practice, media reports said.

They are called the Padung or long-necked Karen in Thailand, but they consider those terms denigrating and call themselves Kayan.

Seven Kayan villages are already marketed as tourist attractions in Thailand’s northern provinces of Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai.

But for the first time, a new “village” of Kayans was recently opened in Sattahip in Chonburi province, 100km south-east of Bangkok and a few kilometres from the Pattaya beach resort, the Daily XPress newspaper said.

Read more here:
http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,26058,23739459-5014090,00.html

It was reported in the Bangkok Post on May 18 that the ancient Wat Prathat Doi Suthep (the temple on Suthep Hill) may be in danger of losing its stupa. The fears arise after the recent earthquakes in the region. Future earthquakes may cause the stupa to collapse.

A study done in 1997-1998 found that the Doi Suthep temple is located on soft ground. Other problems include softening of the structures of the stupa due to attack by water in the environment. The undergound water levels pose another problem.

It is estimated that initial budget of more than 200 million baht will be required to strengthen the stupa’s foundations to protect against possible subsidence and collapse.

It would be a huge pity if this ancient and sacred temple were lost. Let’s hope Wat Prathat Doi Suthep gets the support it needs.

Here’s the Bangkok Post article.