In Support of twinning Chiang Mai & Georgetown

Sep 24, 2025 Letters

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Dear Editor,

I am in support of Dr. Walter Persaud’s unsolicited advice (KN Sep 23) to government to consider a tie up with the magical city of Chiang Mai, Thailand, or consider aspects of its development and management as a model for Georgetown, which President Irfaan announced will be transformed into a modern city. It is brilliantly written, finest use of the King’s language. In earlier writings, Dr. Persaud used social theories of reputed scholars to explain life and politics in Guyana. He writes simply and correctly, as opposed to the controversial, opportunistic columnist, explaining socio-political concepts. Now, he gives us a sample of his skills in descriptive writing with a grand vision for the country’s capital that is long overdue for rehabilitation.

Guyanese talk of Guyana becoming a Dubai. Anyone who studies economics and development knows we are very far from there. Countries go through stages of development as the scholar WW Rostow theorized and illustrated. Thailand could be considered a model for Guyana for now. Thailand from the 1980s was considered one of the Asian Tigers, among second world nations, in high economic growth and rapid development, similar to what Guyana has been experiencing over the last five years.

Both Chiang Mai (and to some extent Bangkok and a couple other cities in Thailand) and Georgetown have similar features and characteristics (including its canals) as eloquently described by Persaud who forgot to mention one valuable role of the canals (rivers) — mode of local transportation and water markets (night as well as day), attracting thousands of tourists daily, which can be emulated in Guyana. (Also, like Guyana, Thailand has ethnic conflict and border controversies with neighbors).

As Persaud stated, Georgetown’s canals can be transformed into a tourist attraction and for markets on the outskirts of the city. Persaud lived in Thailand for a number of years and no doubt has an expertise of its growth and development that can be tapped.

As someone who visited Thailand a dozen times, marveled by its beauty, civilization and culture, similar to India’s, I encourage Guyanese to make a trip; millions of Indians and Chinese live in Thailand which is a major tourist destination for Europeans, Indians, Chinese. It is among the most beautiful countries in the East. Persaud and I are probably among a handful who spent considerable time in Thailand.

My first visit to Thailand (Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and other cities) was in August 1985 as a visiting doctoral student scholar at a university in Bangkok and in Chiang Mai. (As an aside, I learned of Forbes Burnham’s death from the Bangkok Times, an English daily at the time, while a student in Chiang Mai; Dr. Ramharack was also a doctoral student scholar in the city a year before me).

I was struck by the advanced development in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and other Thai cities in 1985 and immediately thought of what could be copied or borrowed in Guyana as Persaud does now. While a doctoral student in Economics, my Professor in an Economic Development course recommended a study of Thailand as a model for development in the third world. It was a growing economy, among the least developed of the Tigers. This led to revisits every few years, the last time two years ago, to take in its beauty and examine the progress from five years earlier. I was always struck by the country’s growth and development during every visit.

The cities and country’s canals as a means of transportation and the water or boats markets could be emulated in Guyana. It is acknowledged that in Guyana’s hinterlands, waterways have been used as a means of local transport and even in marketing. The concept or idea can be expanded in other communities where there are canals and other waterways and even the construction of such. Thailand is also one of the largest producers of rice. It also produces sugar and coconut oil and similar fruits and vegetables as Guyana.

The cities in Thailand are very modern, clean, and beautifully decorated with first world infrastructure and tourist attractions — including trains or subways. Chiang Mai is not as metropolitan as Bangkok but very majestic. Guyanese will feel at home especially on the outskirts that are rural like with beautiful homes and markets.

I endorse Dr. Persaud’s recommendation that government should send a team to take a look at Chiang Mai and or other cities as a model for Georgetown and to twin up.

Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram

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• Chiang Mai, Georgetown, modern city, Walter Persaud

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