Protesters Hold Massive Rally in Chiang Mai Demanding the Demolition of Judicial Housing in the Foothills of Doi Suthep

CHIANG MAI – More than a 1,000 people rallied in Chiang Mai’s old city on Sunday demanding the demolition of houses built for juristic officials in the foothills of Doi Suthep in Mae Rim district.

Wearing T-shirts with the slogan that reads “Rak (Love) Doi Suthep” and a green ribbon tied to their left wrists as a symbol of their opposition to the controversial project, the demonstrators later marched to the statue of three former Lanna kings to pay their respect.

A brief religious ceremony was held in front of the statue to seek blessing from devine power to protect Doi Suthep.

From Tha Phae city gate in the heart of Chiang Mai’s old city, they marched along Ratchadamnern Road to pay homage to the statue of the Three Kings and prayed that the pristine environment be restored.

The protesters shouted the word “te-kwang”, a word in the northern dialect that means “demolition”, before dispersing after about two hours.

Public frustration has been mounting over the project since aerial images of several dozen officials’ homes — carved into the green foothills of Chiang Mai’s Doi Suthep mountain — started circulating on social media earlier this year.