CityNews now has a hard copy of the petition. If you want to sign it, please pass by our office and there will be the petition at the front desk.

The shells of buildings on Suthep Road

They intend to send the petition to the mayor and the Provincial Administration Organisation. A member from the group said, “in our view the way to ‘ease traffic flow’ is to reduce traffic by providing alternatives to the clumsy and bulky motor car, such as better provisions for bike riding and smoke free public transport”, which they added while becoming the vogue and agreed upon sensibility in the so–called developed world it is certainly yet to be populariszed in Thailand.

Petition:

9 October 2012.

STOP WIDENING AND RETURN THE NIMMANHAEMIN ROAD TO THE CHIANG MAI MUNICIPALITY

Chiang Mai Municipality Department of Highway (Section 2 Chiang Mai)

1 Wangsingkam Rd. Super Highway

Tambon Changmoi Tambon Tasala

Muang District Muang District

Chiang Mai Chiang Mai

Following the letter of the ‘Chom Rom Chao Nimmanhaemin’ (Nimmanhaemin Association) to the

Department of Highway – Section 2 Chiang Mai, dated 9 January 2012, we were informed that the

Department of Highway is in the process of widening the road surface at the Rincome and the Chiang

Mai Health Department junctions. The project has also required lands and demolished buildings along

the Suthep Road, in order to add the Nimmanhaemin Road to the inner ring road (the Super Highway-

Mahidol Road) loop through the Air Force Base Wing 41. The following list shows our names, who do

not agree with the Nimmanhaemin Road widening project, as it is against ‘good practice’ for urban road

design with many reasons; for example:

1. The Nimmanhaemin district is a ‘mixed use’ area with many good houses, shops as well as restaurants.

It is also adjacent to two of the top most universities in Chiang Mai with a conference hall and an art

museum. The area is also close to the significant temple associated with Chiang Mai history. In sum,

the Nimmanhaemin district is unique with its special characteristics and is embedded in the Chiang Mai

University zone.

2. With shops and services along its sides and the extraordinary characteristics of the area, the

Nimmanhaemin Road acts as a ‘high street’ of Chiang Mai. With its role as a ‘high street’, the road

should be designed with a ‘traffic calm’ not a ‘traffic flow’ concept, not only to promote economic and

social life of the people but also to increase safety for all.

The people of Nimmanhaemin strongly suggest that:

1. Stop the Nimmanhaemin Road widening project and avoid putting it into a part of the ring road as it

will affect viability and reduce the quality of life of the people. In a holistic and long term perspective,

it will also reduce the ‘charm’ of Chiang Mai, that almost nobody will gain but many will certainly lost.

2. We also give support to giving the Nimmanhaemin Road authorisation back to the Chiang Mai

Municipality as it is the solemn organisation that takes care of many aspects affecting the quality of life,

the ‘total livelihood’, of its people.

We are looking forward to receive your feedback in the form of a written letter.

Sincerely yours,

Chom Rom Chao Nimmanhaemin.

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CHOM ROM CHAO NIMMANHAEMIN

33 Nimmanhaemin 13 Tambon Suthep, Muang District, Chiang Mai. 50200.

Coordinator Kankajit Khumsorn Tel 0816652289 Email kankajit@gmail.com

Against Widening Nimmanhaemin Road and

Support for the Authorisation Return to the Chiang Mai Municipality.

Name Address Telephone Signature