Former Malaysian State Chief Detained, Face Graft Charges

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5 November 2018, 11:05

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in May arrives at Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Office in July in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Photo: Vincent Thian / Associated Press

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s anti-graft agency says the former leader of a timber-rich eastern state has been arrested and will face corruption charges as it widens its crackdown on graft.

The agency said Musa Aman, the former chief minister of Sabah state on Borneo island, has been detained at its office and will be brought to court later Monday to face several corruption charges. It didn’t give details.

Local media said the charges against Musa involved millions of dollars related to timber concessions.

Musa is the latest former high-ranking official to be prosecuted following the shocking ouster of scandal-tainted Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government in May’s elections. Najib, his wife and his former deputy are among those who have been charged with corruption. Najib has accused the new government of seeking political vengeance.

Data Recovered From Crashed Lion Air Data Recorder: Official

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Associated Press

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5 November 2018, 10:53

Navy divers inspect Saturday what is believed to be engine of the crashed Lion Air jet after it was retrieved from the sea floor, at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: Fauzy Chaniago / Associated Press

JAKARTA — Investigators succeeded in retrieving hours of data from a crashed Lion Air jet’s flight recorder as Indonesian authorities on Sunday extended the search at sea for victims and debris.

National Transportation Safety Committee deputy chairman Haryo Satmiko told a news conference that 69 hours of flight data was downloaded from the recorder including its fatal flight.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet crashed just minutes after takeoff from Jakarta on Oct. 29, killing all 189 people on board in the country’s worst airline disaster since 1997.

The flight data recorder was recovered by divers on Thursday in damaged condition and investigators said it required special handling to retrieve its information. The cockpit voice recorder has not been recovered but searchers are focusing on a particular area based on a weak locator signal.

National Search and Rescue Agency chief Muhammad Syaugi said Sunday the search operation, now in its 7th day and involving hundreds of personnel and dozens of ships, would continue for another three days.

Syaugi paid tribute to a volunteer diver, Syahrul Anto, who died during the search effort on Friday. The family of the 48-year-old refused an autopsy and he was buried Saturday in Surabaya.

More than 100 body bags of human remains had been recovered. Syaugi said the number would continue to increase and remains were also now washing up on land.

He said weak signals, potentially from the cockpit voice recorder, were traced to a location but an object hadn’t been found yet due to deep seabed mud.

Flight tracking websites show the plane had erratic speed and altitude during its 13 minute flight and a previous flight the day before from Bali to Jakarta. Passengers on the Bali flight reported terrifying descents and in both cases the different cockpit crews requested to return to their departure airport shortly after takeoff. Lion has claimed a technical problem was fixed after the Bali fight.

Syaugi said a considerable amount of aircraft “skin” was found on the seafloor but not a large intact part of its fuselage as he’d indicated was possible Saturday.

He and other top officials including the military chief plan to meet with families on Monday to explain the search operation.

The Lion Air crash is the worst airline disaster in Indonesia since 1997, when 234 people died on a Garuda flight near Medan. In December 2014, an AirAsia flight from Surabaya to Singapore plunged into the sea, killing all 162 on board.

Indonesian airlines were barred in 2007 from flying to Europe because of safety concerns, though several were allowed to resume services in the following decade. The ban was completely lifted in June. The U.S. lifted a decadelong ban in 2016.

Lion Air is one of Indonesia’s youngest airlines but has grown rapidly, flying to dozens of domestic and international destinations. It has been expanding aggressively in Southeast Asia, a fast-growing region of more than 600 million people.

‘Fantastic Beasts’ Stars: Depp’s Villain (Mostly) Isn’t Trump

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Associated Press

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4 November 2018, 15:08

LOS ANGELES — Johnny Depp’s charismatic leader at the center of the new “Fantastic Beasts” sequel isn’t modeled on U.S. President Donald Trump.

But the stars of “Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald,” the film written by J.K. Rowling about a dark wizard who becomes a divisive leader in the magical world, tell The Associated Press that there are some similarities.

The film is set in the “Harry Potter” universe and finds Depp’s character, Gellert Grindelwald, seeking to gain power and divide “pureblood” wizards from humans in 1920s Paris.

“It’s shining a light, isn’t it, on things that have happened before as well,” said Callum Turner, who plays Theseus, the older brother to Eddie Redmayne’s hero main character in the film. “And how seductive and easy things can take a turn for the worse. And not just be specific to any one moment.

“That’s the question. Why are we — people being seduced in that way? What is it in the moment, in the zeitgeist, what is that? And that’s what is interesting about that — that’s the similarity. Not the person. The message.”

Katherine Waterston, who plays a magical law enforcement agent, says the villain crafted by the politically outspoken Rowling is more “subtle” than the real-life president.

“Every bad guy is more nuanced and subtle than Trump. He is like the most overt bad guy of all time,” she said. “But it’s amazing because she was actually writing this long before the election happened — this chapter of the story. So yeah, it’s interesting actually with brilliant people, if they’re paying attention to the way the world is going, they actually tend to predict the future. Yeah, but it really is I think from paying close attention. And she’s so politically active.”

Ezra Miller plays a mysterious character named Credence Barebone, whose powers include a destructive magical parasite. He says Grindelwald shares similarities to many leaders throughout history.

“I think it’s approaching universal themes that sure, can you look at all of the autocrats in all of history and be like, ‘Yup, they are all kind of that guy, sure,'” Miller said. “There’s a period where they just convince everyone that they are on their team and they’re going to get them good jobs and it’s going to be awesome.

“And that’s like how tyranny works. Like at first they convince you that they have the right to rule you. And then they arm up and get it on. It’s a universal story.”

“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” the second of five planned movies in the franchise, hits theaters in Thailand on Nov. 15.

Story: Ryan Pearson

China Seeks to Rebrand Global Image With Import Expo

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Associated Press

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4 November 2018, 14:51

Workers last week prepare a lawn outside the venue for the upcoming China International Import Expo in Shanghai. Photo: Chinatopix / AP

BEIJING — Facing a blizzard of trade complaints, China is throwing an “open for business” import fair hosted by President Xi Jinping to rebrand itself as a welcoming market and positive global force.

More than 3,000 companies from 130 countries selling everything from Egyptian dates to factory machinery are attending the China International Import Expo, opening Monday in the commercial hub of Shanghai. Its VIP guest list includes prime ministers and other leaders from Russia, Pakistan and Vietnam.

The United States, fighting a tariff war with Beijing, has no plans to send a high-level envoy.

Xi’s government is emphasizing the promise of China’s growing consumer market to help defuse complaints Beijing abuses the global trading system by reneging on promises to open its industries.

Just 10 days to go ! Are you ready ? @ciieonline is dedicated to creating a the first-class international exhibition, promoting trade and share prosperity for the global economy. The countdown is on ! See you November 5-10 pic.twitter.com/JViS7b9zgd

— China International Import Expo (@ciieonline) October 26, 2018

“This says, look, we’re not a global parasite that is creating massive deficits, we are buying goods,” said Kerry Brown, a Chinese politics specialist at King’s College London.

The event also is part of efforts to develop a trading network centered on China and increase its influence in a Western-dominated global system.

President Donald Trump and his “American first” trade policies that threaten to raise import barriers to the world’s biggest consumer market loom in the background.

Exporters, especially developing countries, want closer relations with China to help “insulate themselves from what is happening with Trump and the U.S.,” said Gareth Leather of Capital Economics.

China has cut tariffs and announced other measures this year to boost imports, which rose 15.9 percent in 2017 to $1.8 trillion. But none address the U.S. complaints about its technology policy that prompted Trump to impose penalty tariffs of up to 25 percent on $250 billion of Chinese imports. Beijing has responded with tariff hikes on $110 billion of American imports.

Chinese leaders have rejected pressure to roll back plans such as “Made in China 2025,” which calls for state-led creation of global champions in robotics and other fields, ambitions that some American officials worry will undermine U.S. industrial leadership.

To keep the economy growing, China needs to nurture its consumer market and that requires more imports.

But foreign companies say regulators are still trying to squeeze them out of promising industries and that they face pressure to hand over technology.

The Shanghai expo “will be of little consequence to U.S. and other companies unless its pageantry is matched by meaningful and measurable changes in China trade practices,” Kenneth Jarrett, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, said in an email.

Some companies might get a brief sales boost, “but its long-run impact will be defined by China’s willingness to end many of its unfair trade practices,” said Jarrett.

Europe, Japan and other trading partners have been leery of Trump’s tactics but echo U.S. complaints.

They say Beijing improperly hampers access to finance, logistics and other service industries. European leaders are frustrated that Beijing bars foreign acquisitions of most assets while its own companies are on a global buying spree.

Writing in a Chinese business magazine, the French and German ambassadors to Beijing appealed for changes including an end to requirements that foreign companies operate in joint ventures with state-owned partners. They called for an overhaul of rules they say hinder companies from profiting from and protecting their technology.

“We encourage China to address these issues through concrete and systematic measures that go beyond tariff adjustments,” Ambassadors Jean-Maurice Ripert of France and Clemens von Goetze of Germany wrote in the magazine Caixin.

China already is the No. 1 trading partner for all its Asian neighbors, though a big share of the iron ore, industrial components and other goods it buys are turned into smartphones, TV sets and other goods for export.

Tariff cuts announced over the past year were aimed at giving Chinese consumers better access to foreign goods. Chinese leaders emphasize those include anti-cancer drugs and other medical products. But many are specialty goods such as high-end baby strollers, avocados and mineral water that don’t compete with Chinese suppliers.

The Shanghai expo also gives Beijing a chance to repair its image following complaints about its “Belt and Road” initiative to expand trade by building ports, railways and other infrastructure across a vast arc of 65 countries from the South Pacific through Asia to Africa and Europe.

Governments including Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand have scrapped or scaled back projects due to high costs or complaints too little work goes to local companies. Sri Lanka, Kenya and other nations have run into trouble repaying Chinese loans.

“It’s become too associated with debt and China getting what it wants,” said Brown. “They are trying to get out this more positive message that China is open for business.”

Story: Joe McDonald

Italian Muay Thai Boxer Dies Week After Bangkok KO

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Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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4 November 2018, 14:35

Italian Muay Thai fighter Christian Daghio, succumbed to his injuries and died one week after going down in the last round during a title fight in Bangkok. Photo: Kombat Group Thailand

PATHUM THANI — An Italian boxer died Friday, one week after he was knocked out in the last round of a title match in northern metro Bangkok.

Christian Daghio, 49, lost consciousness and had been in a coma after he was knocked down in 12th round against Khondon Saithonggym, 36, for the WBC Asia Silver Heavyweight for under-175 pounds on Oct. 26 in Rangsit, Pathum Thani province.

Daghio, who runs a boxing gym in Pattaya and had come off a record 10 undefeated bouts, was knocked down for a second time in the last round. He fell at full weight, hitting his head against the canvass. It was not yet known as of publication time what the exact cause of death was.

Daghio was originally from Carpi, Italy.

According to an Italian sports site, he was the first Italian to be allowed to officially fight in Thailand. He had a number world titles in Muay Thai. It said he had returned to the ring recently after a year’s break and leaves behind a wife and daughter.

Thailand’s Buildings Tell Story of East vs. West

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Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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4 November 2018, 14:17

Original plans for the Phra Thinang Chakri Maha Prasat called for three European-style domes . The regent to the young king strongly objected, and traditional spires were erected in their stead. Photo: 2008Guangzhou / Wikimedia Commons

BANGKOK — The rise of Western architecture in Thailand – then known as Siam – a century and a half ago is a tale of intercultural tensions, blurring class structures and changing habits such as polygamy, according to a historian.

European architecture began to be adopted during the reign of King Rama IV, who ruled 1851 to 1868, Pirasri Povatong, an associate professor of architecture at Chulalongkorn University said at a recent talk at Matichon Academy.

Some of the earliest Western-style structures were adopted by King Pinklao, his younger brother and the second king, and two such pseudo neoclassical buildings can still be found at his palace, which today is the National Museum.

Read: Thai Modernism Gets Second Life in ‘Foto_MoMo’ (Photos)

The period coincided with the introduction of English-language learning. Avud Theeradej, author of “The Language of Elites: Behind the Studies of English During the Reign of Rama V,” said that it wasn’t until the reign of Rama IV, when royal children were being taught to read and write English, that Europe became considered the center of power and scientific advancement. Before that it had been China.

The tension persisted. When King Chulalongkorn or Rama V, the son of Rama IV, ordered the construction of the Chakri Mahapasart Throne Hall at the Grand Palace, three neoclassical domes were supposed to cap the palatial building.

“The three domes have already been ordered in London but Somdet Chaophraya Srisuriwongse protested, saying no Western structure had ever been built on the palace grounds,” Pirasri said, referring the young Rama V’s regent.

The king eventually yielded to the objection of his most senior official and, upon its completion in 1882, Thai-style spires like those found on traditional palaces and temples were placed on top of the otherwise neoclassical structure that today mesmerizes throngs of visitors and tourists daily.

That did not stop a race by the royal children of Rama V and well-to-do Siamese commoners from building palaces and mansions in various European styles, however.

With the use of European architects, chiefly Italians, various styles of Western architectural styles were adopted including neo-gothic, neoclassical, neo-Venetian, Moorish, Art Nouveau and even Art Deco.

Suddenly, the rigid rules governing what commoners could or could not build according to traditional Thai architecture became irrelevant as elites and nouveau riche raced to adopt Western edifices.

One extant example today is the Venetian neo-gothic mansion which was converted into the Government House in 1969 to be the prime minister’s seat of power. Though not a palace, it was more grand and beautiful than a number of palaces built by princes and princesses during the time. It was originally built as a mansion and bestowed to Chao Phraya Ramrakhop, a trusted aide of King Rama VI. Originally known as Norasingh Mansion, it was completed in 1918.

By the time of Rama VII, who ruled from 1925 to 1935, polygamy had gone out of fashion, at least officially, with the king being declared monogamous. Pirasri said the need to build a massive Western palace then went out of fashion, and the king settled on Sukhothai Palace on Bangkok’s Samsen Road, which, through a combination of Western architecture and Siamese decorative arts, resembles more of a mansion.

Though the palace was built by Rama V as a gift to his son Rama VII in 1918, Pirasri argued that the younger king just didn’t need as many rooms and buildings to house dozens of royal consorts and their children any longer.

Anxious US Politicians and Volunteers Make Final Push

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Associated Press

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4 November 2018, 13:25

Harvey Rosenfeld attends a Democratic party rally Saturday in West Palm Beach, Florida, bedecked in a red, white and blue outfit topped with an Uncle Sam hat and had a sign around his neck reading, “Be Patriotic, Respect Democracy, Honor America.” The 68-year-old retired publicist said he had been a Republican for 30 years until its stances against abortion rights and gay rights drove him away. Photo: Terry Spencer / Associated Press

TEMPE, Arizona — The Republican, Rep. Martha McSally, wore a maroon and gold Arizona State University T-shirt and jeans as she belted out the national anthem at the school’s homecoming game Saturday. The Democrat, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, wore a canary-yellow dress and eight-inch platform shoes with cactus applique as she presided over the coin toss.

But the crowd of 46,000 greeted both U.S. Senate candidates the same way: with a mix of cheers and boos.

It was a fitting kickoff to the anxious final weekend before the 2018 midterms, a campaign that seemingly launched the day after Donald Trump was elected president two years ago that is climaxing in the shadow of a bomb plot targeting Democratic leaders and the worst anti-Semitic shooting in the nation’s history. Each side is doing everything it can to mobilize voters this weekend, warning of the dire consequences of failure.

Democrats are counting on wresting control of the U.S. House from Republicans and hoping for a longshot series of wins to win back the Senate as well. But Republicans are optimistic they can gain seats in a Senate map heavy on red states and haven’t given up on holding the House.

Neither side wanted to leave anything on the field in the final weekend. “I’ve never been so sleepless, so restless as I have been” since Trump was elected, Sudi Farokhnia, a risk manager in Orange County, California, said before leaving a rally to volunteer for Democratic congressional candidate Katie Porter. Farokhnia has spent hours phone-banking for Porter, who is challenging Republican Rep. Mimi Walters.

Brandon Evans, 36, was cleaning out his parents’ storage room in the Salt Lake City suburb of West Jordan on Saturday when he got an unexpected visit from his congresswoman, Republican Mia Love. Love, who faces a tough re-election challenge, traveled through her largely suburban district in an orange-and-blue modified motor scooter, knocking on every door she could.

Evans assured her she had his vote because of gun rights. “I feel like they’re under attack more than they’ve ever been,” Evans said.

Campaigns pulled out the heavy hitters. Trump continued to hopscotch the nation, holding a rally in Montana for GOP Senate candidate Matt Rosendale, who is challenging Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, and another rally for GOP candidates in Florida. Vice President Mike Pence traveled from Kansas to Wisconsin to Florida getting out the vote for Republicans.

At a Pence event outside Kansas City on Friday, Ronald Solomon, a 59-year-old investment banker from Las Vegas who sells Trump memorabilia and was dropping in out of curiosity, was incredulous that the GOP could lose seats given the economy.

“There are better jobs. There are more jobs. People are getting bonuses — they’re getting raises,” Solomon said.

At a Pence rally Saturday on behalf of embattled Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Sue Hodgson of River Falls said she was more “nervous more than excited.” The group around Hodgson, who was sporting a star-spangled, down-filled winter jacket, nodded, with hands jammed into jacket pockets against the 40-degree chill inside a massive warehouse.

“We’re here to show our support,” Hodgson said. “I just hope it’s enough.”

In West Palm Beach, Florida, three miles (five kilometers) from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, legendary singer Jimmy Buffet tried to fire up local Democrats for gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum and Sen. Bill Nelson. He tweaked the words to some of his old favorites.

“Come Tuesday, things will change,” Buffett sang, swapping the date in his famous song “Come Monday.” ”Come Tuesday, we’re making a change. It’s been two insane years and it’s time to really switch gears …” He also played a version of “Margaritaville” slamming the state’s Republican governor, Rick Scott, who is running against Nelson for the Senate, over an algae infestation that’s killed millions of fish and closed beaches along the state’s western coast.

“Some people say there’s a red tide to blame,” Buffett sang, “but I know that it’s all Rick Scott’s fault.”

Harvey Rosenfeld, 68, attended the rally in his usual attire — a red, white and blue outfit topped with an Uncle Sam hat and a sign around his neck reading, “Be Patriotic, Respect Democracy, Honor America.”

“All my life I have studied all of the candidates in determining for whom I would vote,” said Rosenfeld, a retired publicist and former Republican. “But this time, I think the Republican Party has caved into Trumpism and it has gone so far astray that the only way that we can return to having a strong, vibrant Republican Party is for them to have a sharp wakeup call by seeing a strong rejection of their current platform.”

In Arizona, the nasty Senate race has dominated the state. McSally, a former combat pilot, has accused Sinema of “treason” for comments about the Afghanistan war in 2002 while Democrats have been hammering the GOP candidate over her vote to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law.

Lately, as Trump has tried to raise fear of a caravan of Central American migrants trying to cross Mexico on foot to reach the U.S. border, McSally has taken to hammering Sinema on immigration. Those thoughts were on the mind of Stephen Ovanessoff, a retired church deacon and pathologist at a church visited by Republican Rep. David Schweikert as part of the congressman’s own get-out-the-vote efforts Saturday.

“There should definitively be a strong border, especially for a country like the United States,” said Ovanessoff, who immigrated from Iraq. “Because if you go outside to other countries there are millions and millions of people everywhere that want to come and live in this country.”

In Tempe, outside Sun Devil Stadium, where thousands gathered wearing the team’s bright yellow colors, Sinema was mobbed by well-wishers asking for hugs and selfies. The Democrat posed with voters as a band played a punk version of Elvis Presley’s “Fools Rush In.” Sinema teaches two courses on social work at the university and has multiple degrees from the school, and was widely recognized, even by ticket scalpers.

One student gushed to Sinema, “I’ve heard your ads on Spotify.” One man confided to her: “You’re the most qualified candidate, but I can’t vote for you — I’m a Republican, my wife would kill me.”

Gina Kilker was making her way through the crowd when she cried out, “Oh, my god, that’s Kyrsten Sinema.” Soon the candidate was posing with Kilker, her husband, daughter and son-in-law.

“We did not expect to see her,” Kilker said. She tried to quickly sum up her emotions about the last two years to a passing reporter, and boiled it down to this: “We’re hoping and praying for a blue wave.”

Story: Nicholas Riccardi

Beckham Adds Star Power to Thai Football Clinic

By

Associated Press

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4 November 2018, 13:09

Retired footballer David Beckham poses Saturday for a group photograph during a sponsored promotional event in Bangkok. Photo: Gemunu Amarasinghe / Associated Press

BANGKOK — Former Manchester United and Real Madrid football star David Beckham made a brief appearance Saturday in Bangkok where he conducted drills and addressed a crowd of around 100 young football fans as part of a sponsored promotional event.

Beckham’s appearance was part of the “AIA Football Clinic for Youth with Leading Coaches” event that also featured coaches from English Premier League team Tottenham Hotspurs as well as Thai celebrities and football players.

“I’m very excited to be here with you all and to play a little bit of football,” Beckham said to a group of young kids who sat and listened to one of football’s biggest names on the astro-turf football pitch outside the SCG Muangthong Stadium in Bangkok where the event was conducted. “It’s great to be back in Bangkok. I’m excited and I’m hoping you are.”

For about five minutes, Beckham conducted passing and dribbling drills with a group of prospective young football players.

“I have seen the determination of these kids while playing football during the training session,” Beckham said in a statement. “They’re all here because they love the sport and have a tremendous passion for it.”

For most of the event, scores of young children ran around a seven-a-side pitch in an unorganized fashion. Passing footballs and playing among themselves, hoping to catch a glimpse or, better, take a pass from any celebrity present.

But some kids said they were too young to ever watch Beckham play and only knew of him through their parents.

“My dad introduced me to him (Beckham),” said nine-year old Pongpipat Tinthamwong. “When he told me about him, I started watching him on the internet.”

Story: Kaweewit Kaewjinda

Leicester Wins First Match Post-Accident, Dedicates Score to Vichai

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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4 November 2018, 13:03

Leicester City's Demarai Gray celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game and reveals a shirt that reads 'For Khun Vichai' on Saturday during the English Premier League soccer match between Cardiff City and Leicester City at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Simon Galloway / PA

CARDIFF, Wales — Leicester City winger Demarai Gray celebrated the first point scored Saturday by removing his jersey to dedicate it “For Khun VIchai.”

The gesture mourning and honoring team owner and Thai billionaire Vichai Srivadhanaprabha, who was killed in a helicopter crash one week earlier, saw Gray given a yellow card by a referee in the match against Cardiff City,which the Foxes won 1-0 in the Premier League Match. It was the first match for the team since it lost its owner in the accident.

A large Thai National flag which a message R.I.P. Vichai and the team’s emblem was also unveiled at the stadium during the match.

Leicester City fans with a giant banner that reads 'RIP Vichai' during the English Premier League soccer match between Cardiff City and Leicester City at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Simon Galloway / PA via AP — Leicester City fans with a giant banner that reads ‘RIP Vichai’ during the English Premier League soccer match between Cardiff City and Leicester City at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Simon Galloway / PA via AP

Bookings Surge at Chiang Mai Hotels for Cool Season

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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3 November 2018, 15:04

Hot springs at a resort in Chiang Mai province. Photo: Matichon

CHIANG MAI — Cooler weather and the high season are bringing welcome visitors to the north.

Chiang Mai hotels are already 70 percent to 80 percent booked for the next four months, and Noppadol Jaripak of the provincial tourism industry council said the majority of those booking the 50,000 hotel and resort rooms are tourists from Europe and North America.

The majority from Europe are tourists from Spain, England, Italy and France. Asian tourists saw a drop, especially among mainland Chinese. Visitors from ASEAN member states including Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam are still heading to Chiang Mai during the cool and dry season.

As for Chinese guests, Noppadol said the majority are young, working-age backpackers now mostly coming in small groups of two or three people rather than tours. They stay an average three to four days, down from five to seven days.

As for Thai tourists, he said the early arrival of the cool season has been a boon so far.

“The weather has turned cold early this year. On top of mountains such as Doi Intanon, temperatures have fallen 1- to 5-degrees Celcius,” he said, adding that Thai tourists make up 70 percent of those opting for homestays or pitching tents in the various national parks during the four-month period.

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