Speaking of famous tourist places in Thailand, Chiang Mai is definitely said to be one of the most attractive places for tourists. Each year, Chiang Mai, dubbed the rose of the North, gains a great number of incomes. As a result, she’s getting more and more materially prosperous. However, I, as a native of Chiang Mai province, can’t help wondering whether tourism industry is truly beneficial to the city since there are many problems caused by this money-gaining strategy.
When I was young, Chiang Mai was peacefully charming with her fascinating cultures and beautiful scenery. The people were friendly; sincere smiles were commonly found every where. The environment was very healthy, refreshing and naturally beautiful.
At present, things have dramatically changed. With the rapid growing of tourism industry, the city is gradually losing its fascinating cultures. Fake cultures are made for business purposes. The hospitality of people has been replaced by their commercial mind; everything is done for money. In addition, charming cultures have been replaced by materialistic cultures. Being prosperous, the city attracts people from all over the country. Consequently, it cannot avoid the social problems which are caused by the dramatic rising number of the population: drug trafficking, prostitutes, crimes, violence and slummy neighborhoods.
In terms of environment, the natural resources are gradually destroyed. With the uncontrollable mushrooming hotels and resorts, the environment of the city is likely to be permanently polluted. The sewage from the hotels and resorts is released to the rivers and canals, permanently destroying the ecology system and the beautiful scenery of the city. Some historic places such as the ancient city wall and temples are devalued by the nearby brothel-like pubs and bars which are open to attract tourists.
Some might argue that tourism brings about the prosperity and money to the country. However, I wonder if it is good for the city to be a touristy place. Is it worth sacrificing our charming cultures, valuable natural resources and peaceful environment for that material prosperity?
Nattakorn (TUM) (:
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For me, I'm not a native people here. I emigranted here for 11 years however Chiang Mai has been changing from the first day I came. When I lived in my hometown; the central of Thailand, I thought Chiang Mai was a beautiful, quiet, and traditional city. I wanted to visit her one day. Luckily, I had an opportunity to stay here long time. Yes, I agree with you that Chaing Mai has changed in a worried way. I thought for people who live here has to do something to protect her from many bad changing. At least on the environment, reducing plastic bags, reducing consume and make yourself to be a good house-owner for tourists.
-ANN- (;
i am not a chiang mai people but i am the one who get familiar with chiang mai since i was young.. when i thinking of chiang mai, the first thing that come to my head is the tradition buildings and ancient places but nowaday....although chiang mai has more tourist but i still feel like sth missing. those things might be the peace and beauty in people's mind.
Yea, I do agree that Chiang Mai has a lot of changings such as cultures, people including atmospheres. Although I'm not a native Chiang Mai people, I feel it's my second home. I live here for five years and love this town too. I don't want it to be destroyed by wrong route developments. I think being tourism town is great anyway and I like this town because of this point as well. But, I think there is a need to pay a lot of attentions to developing plans for making sure they are not going in wrong ways. Apart Chiang Mai residents should empower to inspect and protect this town as well.
Medkaw...jaaw ^_^
When we ask about tourism wave, you can find it is hard to come to consensus because every people have the different experience and values based on his schema. I am a foreigner and I have little knowledge about Chiang Mai's changing. But I really like this city. There is every element that I like here, 700 years temple, delicious food, charming smile, and so on. I like Chiang Mai, so I don't think the problem is too serious. In my opinion, if a city wants to develop tourism industry well, it is inevitable that the environment will be polluted. You have to balance the advantages of city development against the disadvantages. That is more impotent than just complain the changing, because changing is the inevitable course of city development.
So I think what Chiang Mai should do is keeping itself. As the second biggest city of Thailand, comparing with other cities, it is fashion city. At the same time, Chiang Mai is leisurely to Bangkok. Not only the handicrafts but also the private bars are attracted us who are traveling in Chiang Mai. We like the both of styles belonged to Chiang Mai.
My classmates who have the idea of discouraging tourism believe that, people of Chiang Mai have no much sense of environmental protection and the negative foreign culture coming can corrupt Chiang Mai people's mind. But I， who has the idea of encouraging tourism ，believes that Chiang Mai people can import advanced technology by exploring tourism resources and the new policy can make Chiang Mai keep pace with the time. Most important of all, people always need to renew their knowledge to adapt the development of the city. :)
by ^.^Ma Chi
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