Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) Tourist Guide


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RESURRECTION OF THE CHIANG MAI SIXES
The Annual Cricket Jamboree Gets Off the Ground

Text: Fred Greene
Photos courtesy of Chiang Mai Sixes

One of Chiang Mai's most venerable institutions, the Chiengmai Gykhana Club, has been going through the hardest time of its 108-year existence. The floods that devastated the Northern capital in the latter part of 2005 were particularly unkind to the area on the east bank of the Ping River the Club occupies, a kilometer down the Old Lamphun Road. When they eventually receded, the question was not so much how much it would cost to bring the facilities - particularly its famous cricket ground - back into commission, as whether it could be done at all. That question has now been answered - that while it will cost a bundle, it can be done. And thanks to the hard work that has been put into the recovery campaign, it's now clear that the event known and celebrated world-wide, the International Cricket Sixes, involving teams from a dozen different countries and with some of the top names of the sport participating, will be providing the arcane entertainment only this remarkable contest offers. From the 2nd of this month to the 8th, those approaching the ground are going to be treated to the typically meaty sound of cricket bat on hard red leather ball, along with the cry of 'Howzat umpire', and the gentle patter of appreciative applause. While the cognoscenti will need no encouragement to enjoy either the spectacle on offer or the refreshments provided, the general public which may not know its silly mid-off from its maiden delivery, should also look in and can expect to be bowled over.

Fred Greene, who's taken part in a number of the Sixes that have been held at the Gymkhana Club in recent years - and who'll be in the thick of it this time too - provides the report that follows.

The 2nd April will mark, yet again, the beginning of the annual Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes tournament at the Gymkhana Club. From humble beginnings this event has grown into a world-famous attraction that brings in cricketers and their families from many nations to our city for the eight-day carnival. It has attracted players of the like of Dennis Lillee, Alvin Kallicharan, Graeme Pollock, and many others of great or lesser quality. Almost 300 visitors arrive here each year to play and watch cricket and to enjoy a taste of the sights and sounds of this fair city and its inhabitants. I believe these people inject far more foreign currency into Chiang Mai than does the Songkran (Thai New Year) Festival; a fact rarely recognized by those who consider that Songkran overwhelms everything. Actually, chief organizer Maurice Bromley, informs me that the tournament brings in to Chiang Mai between 22 and 25 million baht each year. And that figure does not include airfares or what the people spend whilst they are here.

As he has done for many years Mr. Bromley ensures a silk-smooth running each year so that it passes almost without a single hitch and the participants enjoy their stay in our city to the fullest.

However, after nearly twenty years of highly successful operations, this year was the one time that it was thought there might be no tournament at all.

After the devastation caused by the triple flooding of Chiang Mai in August and September 2005, which is well known and documented, things looked black indeed.

Few areas within reasonable distance of the Ping River escaped damage of some sort or other, but nowhere was the damage more visible and apparently long-lasting than at the celebrated Gymkhana Club. Not only is the land upon which the club is situated low lying, but is also close to a bend in the river where the surge of floodwaters easily broke the banks. When the final deluge had subsided the entire area of the club was under a layer of mucky silt from four to ten centimeters deep with the exception only of the raised putting greens.

This historic club, founded in 1898 and the oldest of its kind in Thailand, is home to a number of sports such as golf, tennis, squash, and of course cricket.

Tiddlers

Those who surveyed the damage in October last year, myself included, were inclined to shake our heads and say, "Well, that looks like the end of the Chiang Mai Sixes." And, indeed, that is exactly how it seemed as recovery appeared to be impossible.

But those who love the game of cricket almost as much as life itself (more in some cases) had other ideas. Among them is Khun Puttivat �Parn' Poshyanonda, president of the Junior Cricket Council, who happens to be one of Thailand's very few qualified curators with a Level 4 Certificate in that art form. Khun Parn quickly assessed that the layer of silt deposited by the floods was totally unsuitable to the regrowth of grass as it was particularly acidic and powdery. If the cricket ground were to be restored, he explained, the silt deposit on whole playing area would have to be removed and a totally new surface applied. The previous growth of grass had long since died under the weight and acid content of the silt.

Now, to anyone with any imagination at all, this would appear to be a massive task. Still, cricketers can never be denied their right to play the game, and so a dedicated band of men set about the �resurrection of the Chiang Mai Sixes'. Of course nothing could be accomplished without the input of a considerable amount of money, and this is where Maurice Bromley again comes in. You see, Maurice as the organizer of the Sixes immediately agreed that that organization would be prepared to cover the funding. Now the work had to begin.

In Chiang Mai the redoubtable Eric Little organized teams of workers, some paid, some volunteer cricket lovers, to clean the central wicket and the practice wickets. It was a small beginning and a tough one but, when accomplished, at least the men and boys could have some essential practice although it would be a long time, if ever, before real matches were played.

Time had to be allowed for the arena to dry out so the bulldozer could remove the unwanted top layer of soil, and that took many weeks. And so it was late December before that could be accomplished and no less than an estimated 150 tonnes of soil was scooped up and taken away. It was now time to lay some grass. As is the norm these days, the grass is already pre-grown and is laid upon the existing earth in half metre squares. Initially only about thirty meters of the centre of the oval was laid, to ensure that the grass was suitable and would take root.

When success was assured the remainder of the ground was covered in January and, suddenly, there was an instant cricket ground and all that was required now was for the grass to settle and become playable. In all, 10,500 square metres of nua noi (new grass) were laid and now the area looks again like a genuine cricket field should look.

Mission accomplished? Not quite!

Not satisfied with their miracle Eric, Parn, Maurice et al decided to install a brand new grandstand and even included an electronic scoreboard and air-conditioned box for the scorers. Lords and the Sydney Cricket Ground�eat your hearts out!

Not only will the famous Chiang Mai Cricket Sixes tournament go ahead, but it will do so with even more flourish than before. In the first week of April, thirty-one teams from countries such as England, Australia, The Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, and others, will be here to participate. My suggestion is that you should come along and enjoy the fun with all the rest of us. You will see some excellent and exciting cricket and even have lunch plus an occasional drink or two.

The tournament runs from the 2nd to the 8th of April inclusive, so don't miss it !!!!