Sorry to bring this up again, but CAVEMAN RECEIVED A DEATH THREAT and asked that we help him by sending letters. below is a letter that can be used/modified for that purpose. Caveman's still alive and i don't want to hear that he's been shot by thugs. Please help him and his co-workers in Thailand. thanks, bye bye bliven Mail to: secretariat_pm_at_thaigov.go.th CC to: conserve3_at_forest.go.th WILDLIFE_at_mozart.inet.co.th governor_at_tat.or.th ppdep_at_tat.or.th editor_at_bangkokpost.net postbag_at_bangkokpost.net editor_at_nation.nationgroup.com ttreditor_at_tiscoverasia.com matcheba_at_bangkwpoc.us-state.gov ==================== Dear Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, I am concerned for Thailand's National Parks, Ecotourism sustainability, Professional Standards, and Volume Limits in Phang Nga's caves and lagoons. Legal User Fees should go to the National Park instead of extortionists (local thugs). I am concerned about visitor safety to Thailand's National Parks. Thailand's parks are beautiful and attract tourists from around the world. About a month ago, 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 are 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. Very recently, John "Caveman" Gray, Founder of SeaCanoe International, Ltd. received death threats from local thugs because he refuses to pay the extortion demands for tourists going to the caves that are part of Thailand's National Parks. John Gray has received international acclaim for his innovative approach to sustainable ecotourism that relies upon local citizens to manage and operate the tourist business. The good work of that business is described further at http://seacanoe.com. A list of awards includes: 1998 Tourism Authority of Thailand Best Inbound Operator 1997 ASTA/Smithsonian Magazine Environmental Award 1996 PATA Environmental Gold Award 1996 Green Globe Award - World Travel & Tourism Council 1995 British Airways Tourism For Tomorrow Regional Winner - Asia & Pacific A worldwide audience of tourists is watching to see that John Gray and the folks who work with him at SeaCanoe are not harmed by thugs. 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! Please regain control of your National Parks and restore law and order. Help maintain the positive image that Thailand has developed for international tourism. Thank you for your time and interest, Sincerely, Larry Bliven Salisbury, Maryland USA =============== Copies Sent to: Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai secretariat_pm_at_thaigov.go.th Royal Forestry Dept. Director Plodprasop Suraswadi conserve3_at_forest.go.th Wildlife Fund Thailand Dir. Senator Pisit Na Patalung WILDLIFE_at_mozart.inet.co.th TAT Governor Seree Wangpaichitr governor_at_tat.or.th TAT Dep. Governor, Planning Pradeth Phayakvichien ppdep_at_tat.or.th Bangkok Post Editor Pichai Chuensuksawadi editor_at_bangkokpost.net Bangkok Letters To the Editor postbag_at_bangkokpost.net Letters To the Editor, The Nation editor_at_nation.nationgroup.com Don Ross, Managing Editor, Travel Trade Report ttreditor_at_tiscoverasia.com Secretary to US Ambassador William Itoh matcheba_at_bangkwpoc.us-state.gov *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Dec 04 1998 - 23:54:05 PST
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