Chiang Rai

Cave-rescue mural now moved to official Tham Luang memorial

Published

1 month ago

December 12, 2018

The Thaiger & The Nation

Cave-rescue mural now moved to official Tham Luang memorial | The Thaiger

by Natthawat Laping

The large mural depicting “The Heroes” from the dramatic cave rescue in Chiang Rai in June/July this year has now been installed at the new memorial pavilion at the mouth of the Tham Luang cave.

The 14×3 metre canvas was moved from Wat Rong Khun this morning, along with another two paintings of the smaller size (each is 4 x 3 metre) under the title “Nang Non”. One was created by National Artist Chalermchai Kositpipat and the other created by various northern artists.

Somluk Pantiboon, the artist who led the team that built the teak pavilion commemorating the rescue of the 13 members of the Mu Pa football club from flooded Tham Luang Cave in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district in June and July, said the facility was 95 per cent complete.

He credited the fast pace of construction to the dedication of those involved, adding that such a project would normally take 18 months rather than four.

Somluk said setting the pillars revealed a fine, soft soil rendered golden in colour due to its high iron oxide content. They mixed it with the concrete used for parts of the structure.

“The soil is yellow, just like the mud that oozed out of the cave during the rescue mission,” he said.

Those parts of the pavilion have a unique golden hue as a result, negating the need for exterior paint and nicely matching the colour of the teak.

Somluk’s team has also prepared a site in front of the pavilion where a statue of Lt-Commander Saman Gunan, the former Navy Seal who died during the rescue mission, will be erected on Thursday.

ORIGINAL STORY: The Nation

Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai Tourist Police hunting another foreign graffiti sprayer – VIDEO

Published

6 days ago

January 11, 2019

The Thaiger

PHOTOS/VIDEO: Chiang Rai Tourist Police

The Chiang Rai Tourist Police are hunting for a foreign man who was caught on CCTV footage spraying on a wall near the old bus terminal in Chiang Rai.

The northern Tourist Police office yesterday were trying to find the man who is clearly identified on CCTV footage spraying the wall of a restaurant.

Anyone who see this foreign man is asked to call the Chiang Rai Tourist Police on 053 152 547.

A Russian woman, who was caught red-handed spray painting a road in Rawai last month, was caught and fined for her midemeanour. She claimed she was looking for her lost boyfriend.

Chiang Rai

Burmese man arrested with 300 kilogram of ‘ice’ in Chiang Rai

Published

6 days ago

January 11, 2019

The Thaiger & The Nation

Burmese man arrested with 300 kilogram of ‘ice’ in Chiang Rai | The Thaiger

A Burmese man from the Shan State has been arrested after troops intercepted his pickup and found a large shipment of 300 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine last night.

The Pha Muang Taskforce had officers set up a checkpoint on the bypass near Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district between the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge and Ban Nam Jam village in Tambon Pong Pha.

Troops say they saw a pickup slow down and make a U-turn before it reached the checkpoint so they chased after it until the driver lost control and drove off the road.

Police report that the driver managed to flee into the roadside forest but his passenger, Sam, also Shan, was arrested. Authorities later learned that the fleeing driver was identified as 34 year old Nattapol Thongkham.

SOURCE: The Nation

Chiang Rai

Thailand has a special support team in the stands today – Asian Cup opener against India

Published

2 weeks ago

January 6, 2019

The Thaiger

by Debayan Sen in Abu Dhabi for ESPN

Ahead of their Asian Cup opening game against India today, Thailand will have four champion footballers supporting them from the stands. Well, champions in their Chiang Rai district games anyway.

The Mu Pa (Wild Boar) football team, whose rescue from the Tham Luang caves last year captured the imagination of the world, will be at the Al Nahyan Stadium supporting their country, as special guests of the Asian Football Confederation.

Yesterday, three of them were taken on a guided tour of the stadium and spoke to the media while being shown around. Coach Eakapol spoke for his boys, describing the trip as a unique opportunity to cheer for their team.

“It’s their goal and dream to be professional footballers one day,” he said.

Titan, the shortest of the boys, is a forward and a huge Lionel Messi fan. His coach likes Messi too, as does midfielder Tee. Adul, who likes to play on the right wing, is the only one to idolise Cristiano Ronaldo. Not surprisingly, he’s also the only Juventus fan among Barcelona buffs.