A very warm Chiang Mai welcome to all of the cricketers, friends, sponsors and officials of the 2004 Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes. It is remarkable to know that this tournament, manned by volunteers and supported year after year by club cricketers from around the world is now in its 17th successful year. You are, by a long way I believe, Chiang Mai's longest running international annual sporting event. Congratulations!

A theme chosen for this year's event I am informed is "Building a Future for Cricket in Thailand", and I know you have already been very instrumental in helping to get the sport played by more and more Thai school children. Thank you for what you have already given to our children via the Sawasdee Cricket program and may I thank and encourage you in your future efforts to help the establishment of cricket as a sport for Thai youth. In the modern world our young people are prey to many bad influences and distractions, and cricket offers a very positive alternative, encouraging good sportsmanship and team spirit, the excitment of a competitive challenge, and the building of healthy young minds and bodies.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all great success with both the 17th Chiang Mai Sixes and the 5th Sixes Sawasdee Cup tournaments. May you have a wonderful week of friendly competition and a superb holiday in the bargain !

Maj. Gen. Jane Keereetarweep
Commander of the 33rd Military Circle, RTA.