Arrival Chiang Mai, Hero of Asia, Prime Minister
After a hot traintrip of about 19 hours, yesterday afternoon I arrived in Chiang Mai. While I was afraid everybody would be depressed because of the flood, the opposite is true when I arrive at the office of the Elephant Nature Park. Nothing but joy here. With Lek nominated as “Hero of Asia” her telephone hasn’t stopped ringing, journalists are calling day and night. The newspapers are full with it. Finally Lek seems to get what she deserves. First we go through the latest developments of my project. Her solution to all difficulties like walking permits: we go to see the Prime Minister together. When we get him to support us, that will open up all doors for us. At this moment the P.M. is in Europe, but he will be back October 16th. Lek will already start writing a project proposal for him and will make a request for an appointment with his secretary. I ask Lek, if apart from this, we have to do the paperwork per province, but Lek says if our plan with the P.M. works out we don’t need anything else. Since I didn’t get a response from the Thai Tourist Authority and UNESCO, Lek is going to make a phonecall to them. She thinks it’s not done, for them to not respond to me in anyway. Great that Lek has been nominated as “Hero of Asia” right now.
Lek will coordinate all the paperwork herself. She also talked to a lawyer. Before the start of the walk we will meet with him once more, to go through every juridical aspect once again. Whenever problems show up we can always contact our lawyer to help us. Nice thought! Pom has arranged a driver / guide. A friend of hers who has experience with such projects and knows what is going on politically. She will also arrange some good, reliable mahouts.
