CityNews – The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) will hold its regional conference based on Green Tourism on 3rd May 2012 at Chiang Mai’s Le Meridien Hotel. 
"Thailand's various hilltribes have long been a fascinating draw for tourists visiting the Kingdom. The bright clothes, waning language and cultural eccentricities throw back to a simpler time, and trekking tours from Chiang Mai have become big business." "Thai Airways International is set to be the first airline in Asia to undertake a commercial passenger flight using biofuel, on a December 22 flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai." 
10 days of beer festival and Lanna (northern Thai) culture . . . sounds perfect! Great video coverage from OpenChiangMai.com of the International Parade for the King's birthday. 
The fresh, crisper air of Chiang Mai, located at the heart of Thailand’s northern hills, offers cooling relief after the heat of Bangkok and the south. An ancient walled centre, several stunning temple complexes and a thriving arts and craft scene help complete the picture and make the capital of the north one of Thailand’s biggest draws. 
SpiceRoads Cycle Tours - Chiang Mai Day Tours: Second tour with Spiceroads - See traveler reviews, candid photos, and great deals for Chiang Mai, Thailand, at TripAdvisor. "Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center - This fully modernised multimedia history and cultural education centre is in the very centre of the old city on Prapokklao Road between Rajdumnern Road and Rajwithee Road. If travelling by tuk-tuk or songthaew, it's easiest to ask for the "Three Kings Monument" (Saam Kasat); it's the large, elegant white building just behind the statue. Guides dressed in elegant traditional Thai clothing will usher you into an air-conditioned room to watch an English-subtitled orientation video about Chiang Mai and the north. Next, you will be pointed to a series of rooms documenting the region's history and culture in chronological order from the pre-Muang period (7,000-12,000 years ago) to the early river civilizations, to the early kings through the wars with the Burmese and the last dynasty, to the city today and its plans for the future. Other rooms are devoted to Buddhism and other regional beliefs, agricultural history, hill tribe peoples and other regional cultures, and a run-down of the royal dynasties." 
"Chiang Mai is a city of temples, and these temples are at the historical and cultural heart of the city. In fact, one houses the City Pillar which gave the city its cosmological chart and hence the blueprint for its construction in 1296 by King Mengrai . There are hundreds, but for this blog, I will write a personal guide for some of the ones I enjoy visiting." 
Apologies if you arrived here expecting flood reports. Several articles were scooped to the wrong topic but have now been moved to their correct home:
News for those concerned about the flooding in Thailand. Flooding began in Chiang Mai in September, Bangkok and many other parts of the country are now suffering from the worst flood related disaster for decades. 
The International Horticultural Exposition returns to Chiang Mai next month and it promises to be an amazing showcase of gardens from around the world |
A few stray photos on Chiang Mai rounded up to remind you of what we've covered so far and give some hints of what's to come. 
"Chiang Mai International Balloon Fiesta 2012 will be held between the 20th and 22nd January 2012, on the Activity Field, at Sansailuang Local Administration Office." 
"The temperature on Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest mountain, has been falling, and experiencing frost, for almost a week. Up to 10,000 tourists visited Doi Inthanon over the past weekend. Kriangsak Thanomphan, head of Doi Inthanon national Park said that the national park’s campsites and cottages can accommodate 1,200 tourists per day, and they were fully occupied over the weekend." 
If you're in northern Thailand for Christmas, forget about heading to packed Pai; continue on to Soppong for a scenic, relaxing break in the mountains. 
After the event - apologies - but consider it as early notice of next year's event! "The theme of the Thailand international Balloon Festival 2011 will be the Glow Night. Visitors will be amazed by the decorating light at the venue. The visitors are encouraged to wear or carry the illuminated accessories e.g. to be part of the event. Everyone will enjoy the first time Street Mardi Gras. There will be music, food, soft drink, ice cream, hot dog, game, Lighting show, Night Glow, Mass launching of hot air balloon, free tethered balloon ride for visitors, etc. It is a photogenic event of the year. Can't miss!" 
Football makes its long anticipated return to the 700 year stadium this weekend when Chiang Mai F.C entertain Bangkok Utd who at the moment sit in 7th position in the league. After all the rearranged games and cancelled games that have taken or not taken place, Chiang Mai see themselves at the bottom of the table again, but a win would take them out of the relegation zone as it is now that tight at the bottom. Only 6 points separate the bottom 6 teams, so it really is up for grabs in the next few games. 
The second largest city in Thailand, this city of some 600,000 is comprised mainly of the Lanna people which once belonged to Burma. After a short 1 hour flight, I’m picked up and taken to one of the most striking hotels I’ve ever visited, The Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, (http://www.mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai) located just outside of the busy city centre. Chiang Mai's tourism business is likely to boom again in 2013 after new projects fully materialise, says the Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association (CMTBA). Known as the ‘Rose of the North’ for its charm and beauty, Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Mai is stepping up efforts to ensure its normal flow of visitors in spite of the tragic flooding affecting some parts of Bangkok, the national capital and main gateway. 
This food mad city is filled with delicious northern Thai treats. Kao soi included, of course. |
