Chaiyaphan Praphasawat, director of the Community Rights Institute, said the network wanted 14 projects on the theme "Chiang Mai World" and two flood-tackling schemes to be probed. The projects are worth Bt200 billion.

They include the Bt1.115-billion Night Safari, the Bt600-million Elephant Park, the Bt500-million Royal Flora Ratchaphruek, a world-class spa near the Royal Flora site and a Bt300-million aquarium inside Chiang Mai Zoo.

Also on the group's list are the project to build a complex and an electrical train station near the Kruba Srivichai Monument, a world-class amusement park, the Bt200-million monorail system linking Doi Suthep to the city centre, the Bt1.450-billion convention hall and the Bt300-million centre for decorative plants.

Others are the Bt340-million project to build a four-lane road linking Chiang Mai city and Mae Rim, the Bt322-million scheme to build a ring road linking Hang Dong and Chiang Mai University, the resort-style accommodation and restaurant within the zoo and the Bt1-billion cable car to link Doi Suthep tourist attractions.

The two flood projects are the Bt1.385-billion barriers along Ping River in Chiang Mai municipality and the Bt500-million sluice gate below the Tha Wang Tan reservoir.

The Night Safari is now running at a loss and using taxes to keep the animals, the network claimed.

It said the three-month Royal Flora Ratchaphruek, which is due to open on November 1, should be postponed or scrapped.

The group expressed concern that imported plants did not go through quarantine and some genetically modified plants might affect natural plants in Chiang Mai.