Jackie and Paddlewise folks, thanks for your support of *Caveman's* request for letters. i sent a letter and received the enclosed reply, so our messages are being presented to Thailand government heads-of-state. let's rally and help Caveman and the environment on the important goals of (a) a safe work place for kayak outfitters, (b) safe national parks (c) National Park User Fees paid directly to the Thai government rather than local bandits. please take time and send a note to From: Secretariat_pm <Secretariat_pm_at_THAIGOV.GO.TH> thanks, bye bye bliven -----Original Message----- From: Secretariat_pm <Secretariat_pm_at_THAIGOV.GO.TH> To: 'Larry Bliven' <foxhill_at_shore.intercom.net> Date: Thursday, November 05, 1998 3:17 AM Subject: RE: National Park User Fees >To Mr.Larry Bliven > > Many thanks for your note of 5, 11, 1998 concerning the safty of >visitors to the Thailand National Parks. We have passed to the Royal >Forest Department and Tourism Authority of Thailand for considerations. > > Sincerely your, > > Information Center > >>To: Secretariat_pm >>Subject: National Park User Fees >> >>Dear Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, >> >>I am concerned about visitor safety to Thailand's National Parks.Thailand's >>parks are beautiful and attract tourists from around the world. >> >>The recent news report that a canoe operating company manager was shot and >>seriously wounded in what is believed to be a business conflict with a Phang >>Nga bird nest concessionaire is very disturbing. Panwong Hiranchai, >>operation manager of SeaCanoe (Thailand) Co., was rushed to a local hospital >>where he was said to be in critical condition. >> >>Such reports scare many of us tourists away! SeaCanoe is internationally >>recognized for leadership in sustainable eco-tourism AND for working with >>the people of Thailand to develop many good jobs. Such fine businesses >>support local communities and help develop the sense of trust that we >>tourists need to venture to your fine country. >> >>Thus I ask you to implement a government program to collect National Park >>User Fees set by law for visitors to the National Parks. Such a system will >>help the government and people of Thailand. >> >>Please help stop extortion by local thugs. The tourist economy of Thailand's >>National Parks is a national resource, not for profit by local bandits! >> >>Thank you for your time and interest, >> >>Sincerely, >> >>Larry Bliven >>Salisbury, Maryland USA > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Larry Bliven wrote: > > Jackie and Paddlewise folks, > > thanks for your support of *Caveman's* request for letters. > > i sent a letter and received the enclosed reply, so our messages are being > presented to Thailand government heads-of-state. > > let's rally and help Caveman and the environment on the important goals of > (a) a safe work place for kayak outfitters, > (b) safe national parks > (c) National Park User Fees paid directly to the Thai government rather than > local bandits. > > please take time and send a note to > From: Secretariat_pm <Secretariat_pm_at_THAIGOV.GO.TH> > > thanks, > > bye bye bliven I second that. I met Caveman when he was here in New York City earlier this year to pick up the 1997 ASTA/Smithsonian award at a gala dinner on Park Avenue (which he invited me to attend as his guest...good food and a terrific door gift...a leatherbound travel alarm worth about $80!!!). The award is given to one or two individuals (or their operations) each year for achievement in environmental tourism. Caveman John is quite a colorful character. We paddled to the Statue of Liberty in one of his inflatables used for cave explorations by Sea Canoe. He also hung around the Downtown Boathouse chatting up people. Sea Canoe is owned and operated by locals in the countries they are located in. John's operation basically now just helps set up these local companies and helps them book tours. His descriptions of Thailand make it sound like the Old Wild West. So it is no surprise that one of the local operators got shot; John was predicting that something like that might happen. John and the local Sea Canoe companies are extremely careful in what they do within the caves. They self-limit their own access. They avoid touching anything when inside of them; certainly no graffitti or chipping away at cave walls. All the crews are carefully trained in sea kayaking, first aid, etc. and are very mindful and respectful of the delicate environment. So let us indeed support Caveman John the way he asks. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:32:53 PDT