Chiang Mai municipal administration has become the target of heavy criticism on social media today, from numerous residents and local politicians, over the abrupt changes of the city’s decorations for the Yi Peng lantern festival.
On Monday, the mayor, Assanee Buranupakorn, ordered all the colourful and decorative flowers to be painted black, to reflect the atmosphere of mourning for the late Queen Mother. Cartoon figures decorated with colorful lights were removed.
The specific area which has received the most criticism is the island in the Choeng Saphan Naowarat Road, in front of the provincial town hall, which was the focal point of floral and butterfly decorations.
One critic wrote “black is not everything,” as he suggested that the municipal administrators should consult those with creative ideas or Lanna artists about how to change the decorative items for the annual lantern festival.
Reacting to the criticism, Mayor Assanee explained that the changes are not over yet, adding that more white flowers will be installed and that the Chang Phuak Gate, decorations on the Tha Pe Road and the elephant sculptures will be repainted in white, with a portrait of the late Queen Mother to be installed above the decorative arch.
I addition to the black flowers, critics have pointed out that the decorative lamps were hung upside down and the problem should be fixed immediately.
Meanwhile, People party MPs have questioned whether the 14.6 million baht procurement budget for the city’s festival decorations was worth the money and why only one company has been chosen to carry out decorative work for various festivals organised by the municipal administration, such as the Songkran, floral and Yi Peng festivals.
