Loong Goson's
Predictions for Chiangmai

Fortune tellers with the gift of casting horoscopes to discover significant events pertaining to the movements of planets ruling the heavens constantly keeping vigil over the selected site have been consulted since ancient times. Even today, spiritual advisers predict the future of both the city as well as the people. The accepted belief is that the city's astrological reading determines the future. 2004 is the year of the monkey or 'worg' considered to be conceited but a favorite with the noble class.

Thai astrology is similar in some ways to Western astrology and the Chinese variation. However, Thai astrology is unique among the others in that it is aware of the past, present, and future.

Chiangmai is one province among 76 in Thailand and so the city will be greatly influenced by the national government. Chiangmai's fortune or misfortune in many ways depends on the performance of the central government in Bangkok. Let's read the astrological prediction for the coming year 2004 as follows :

1. Several coalition governments in the past were unstable due to loose alliance with too many parties. Most often arguments and confrontations took place because of misplaced responsibilities and unfeasible policies. Presently, the government is composed of one party holding majority seats in the parliament. Still scandals and cases of malfeasance continue to erode credibility of the government. The majority of Thai people demand transparency so that the country will enter an era of progress.
2. Leaders of provincial councils as well as municipal governments of cities and subdistricts throughout Thailand will be elected directly by local citizens from starting this February. In the past, the people elected them and then the officials agreed among themselves the seats of authority. The candidates serious about their views and performance will be re-elected.
3. Peace or chaos? Progress or disaster? Let's consider these positive objectives: improved education, economy, and social stabilization that can be effectively achieved by the government along with the moral input of parents, school, friends.
   
   We have more schools, colleges, and universities in Chiangmai than most other provinces. But are the quality and ethics up to par. On the other hand there are not many jobs available for the applicants who are not quite qualified. Chiangmai and other cities have had these kinds of problems and burdens for sometime. Thai children must be disciplined at early ages. When they grow up they will follow the spirit of law and order as well as the country's constitution. It is disgusting to see teenagers' street fighting. The lack of unity among fellow Thai brings great danger.
4. Immoral activities exist at all levels corruption, drugs, gambling, sex trade, crimes, etc. Reducing these are a big undertaking for agencies of Chiangmai and central governments. Also, thieves and robbers could be in much evidence in the city. Crisis may force us to improve security management in Chiangmai. Unprecedented circumstances could arise where Chiangmai might witness a change in various levels of administration.
5. In the hot season, there is a chance of a major fire in a public area of Chiangmai. Forest fires will occur as usual, but this time they will be widespread and hard to extinguish. We will have to conduct our business with utmost caution. Accidents, wars, drought and bankruptcies could occur very easily and unpredictably during this period of time. Due to depletion of many trees and forests, not much rainfall will occur during the rainy season. There is a likely possibility of floods resulting from the heavy storms blowing in from the Gulf of Thailand. If the province and new city administration learns from the mistakes of previous local government, Chiangmai province and city stands to improve environment markedly.
6. Chiangmai's economy depends on agricultural produce, industries related to food products and handicrafts as well as services. Production quantity and the selling price will be lower than expected which could cause protests from time to time. Exporters having good connections with foreign partners would have better chance to survive from imposed rigid conditions and rules. Only "one-man show" businesses seem to be more interesting in Chiangmai direct sales of products, insurance, tour guides, printing shop, lawyers, etc. In the past the country had bad experience of depression, inflation, and financial crisis due to mismanagement. Nonetheless, citizens are overspending instead of being encouraged to save. Debts of individuals, finance companies, banks, etc. will end up as a national burden. All the Thai people do not want to have another economic downfall.
7. The economy growth will be fair or medium. Economic trends in Chiangmai will slowly continue to improve attaining a better financial position while business conditions could favorably improve, reaching a peak never before achieved in Chiangmai. The potential for the distant future of Chiangmai looks bright. Due to the severe pattern and the influence of terrorism risks in many parts of the world, people will want to come to a peaceful place, like the northern part of Thailand. It sounds wonderful to create Chiangmai city as an aviation hub for Southeast Asia so that tourism and export will grow fast. The provincial and municipal governments cannot handle this giant policy. Without the visionary creation of the hub, Chiangmai still needs progressive decisions and actions immediately regarding infrastructure e.g. old and new sister cities, city planning, communication system of canal / river / road / transport / traffic, new education reform of schools / colleges / universities and finally the reform of present agencies to develop and serve technology and modern management for agriculture, food products, and handicrafts.
8. There are chances of a surge in Chiangmai in the tourism, real property and agriculture sectors. This means we must promote and effectively manage our travel-related businesses, and reform the property laws, if we are to realize the benefit from tourism and the real property sector. The municipal and the provincial officers will have opportunity to show their abilities at this time. The progress in these sectors will have a major effect in increasing the chances for success of computers, the Internet, entertainment places, all types of services and food markets. We can survive by forward planning. We will receive foreign revenue from tourism and newcomers. We have a chance to get along well on our way to the future, but we have to control ourselves to be good and honest, not taking advantage for quick benefit but for a peaceful society and for our descendants.
9. Hospitality businesses in Chiangmai should create a good reputation and prove that we agree to develop big and small hotels with international standards regarding facilities, services, and prices. Meanwhile guesthouses can thrive based on common sense and friendship. There is an obvious reason that well known international chain managements are attracted to Chiangmai meanwhile the finance institutions are carefully holding their hotel clients. Tourism is one of a few industries that provide opportunity and income directly to local people.

The number of tourists may reduce due to crisis in Thailand and other parts of the world. However, good hearted visitors will continue to come here, even to spend their last resources.