Travel Thailand Guide and Useful informations

Activities

2008-02-29T22:02:00.001+07:00

Introduction of Thailand Activities

Thailand has long been known for the rich diversity of its attractions, but the continuing development of the Kingdom’s tourism product means that there are still more waiting discovery.

A land of golden temples, tropical beaches and forested hills, Thailand is truly a veritable oasis in an increasingly hectic world. Secure in its devotion to the Buddhist faith and to its beloved King, it merges a centuries-old culture with way of life that preserves its identity and gracious natural hospitality.

For sightseeing and travel, Thailand has few equals. From dazzling temples and palaces to awe-inspiring World Heritage Sites; from timeless rural settlements to vibrant resort towns; from idyllic beaches to national parks where wild nature rules, the choice of where to go and what to see is limitless.

Soft adventure options blend with eco-tourism in mountainous jungle terrain, with trekking on foot or elephant back, 4-wheel drive safaris, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and meeting with remote highland communities. Away from the upland forests, the blue watersof Thailand’s extensive coastline beckon, offering the relaxing joys of beach life as well as diving, sailing, windsurfing, and sea canoeing, all with expert tuition provided.

Golfers love Thailand and the feeling is mutual. The Kingdom has more than 100 golf courses, most to international standard and located close to major tourism destinations with first-class facilities and friendly fees.

The Thai secret of relaxation is a secret that can be shared by learning and practicing meditation in Buddhist retreats or training centres. The revitalising Thai massage is an ancient tradition that is another part of the secret visitors like to share, while at the many luxury spas, they can experience the most modern, sensual techniques at the firm but caressing hands of a trained therapist.

Thailand’s cuisine is recognised as one of the world’s healthiest. A profusion of fresh produce, fresh-caught fish and seafood with a balanced complement of aromatic herbs and spices, wok-fried or grilled for a dish that is light, nutritious and bursting with flavour.

Dishes from all of Thailand’s regions can be found in Bangkok, as well as fine dining at sophisticated restaurants of world-class quality. The city is one of Asia’s great shopping experiences, too, with gleaming modern malls and department stores with top international brand and specifically Thai names along with smart boutiques and busy street stalls.

Giant markets like Chatuchak and Suan Lum Night Bazaar also sell international brand names, but their fame rests on their diversity. From local fashions and handicrafts at giveaway prices, the range of discoveries to be made there is quite astounding.

Everywhere in Thailand traditional products are hand made by local artisans: weavers of cotton and silk, wood carvers, potters working in the local clay, silversmiths, basket makers, and cooks making local gourmet specialities.

Even in the remotest villages, these cottage industries are being supported by the government’s One Tambon One Product (OTOP) project, and OTOP products from communities all over the Kingdom are now sold in many stores. At the same time, OTOP villages are being developed so that visitors can go to the source and stay overnight in the artisan villages.

From this profusion of location and activity, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is identifying new attractions and promoting niche markets, special programmes with appeal to special interests and needs: to younger travellers, to families, to honeymoon couples, to cultural travellers, to voyagers seeking health and wellbeing holidays.

And the best part of it is Thailand offers this wealth of diversity with the legendary Thai smile — which is not a legend at all, but one of the genuinev delights of discovering Thailand.

Chiang Mai Province

2008-02-14T04:15:00.014+07:00

Chiang Mai

(เชียงใหม่) is the hub of Northern Thailand. With a population of over 170,000, it is Thailand's fifth-largest city. Located on a plain at an elevation of 316 m, surrounded by mountains and lush countryside, it is much greener and quieter than the capital, and has a cosmopolitan air and a significant expat population, factors which have led many from Bangkok to settle permanently in this "Rose of the North".
Founded in 1296 AD, the culturally rich city of Chiang Mai is the longest continuously inhabited settlement from the ancient days of Siam. Located amidst the rolling foot hills of the Himalayan Mountains 700 km north of Bangkok, it could only be reached by an arduous river journey or an elephant back trip until the 1920s, isolation which has helped keep Chiang Mai's distinctive charm intact to this day.
Chiang Mai's historical centre is the walled city (chiang in Thai, hence Chiang Mai - "New Walled City"). Sections of the wall remain at the gates and corners, but of the rest only the moat remains.
Inside Chiang Mai's remaining city walls are more than 30 temples dating back to the founding of the principality, in a combination of Burmese, Sri Lankan and Lanna Thai styles, decorated with beautiful wood carvings, Naga staircases, leonine and angelic guardians, gilded umbrellas and pagodas laced with gold filigree. The most famous is Doi Suthep, which overlooks the city from a mountainside 13 km away.
Modern-day Chiang Mai has expanded in all directions, but particularly to the east towards the Ping River (Mae Nam Ping), where Thanon Chang Klan, the famous Night Bazaar and the bulk of Chiang Mai's hotels and guesthouses are located. The locals say you've not experienced Chiang Mai until you've seen the view from Doi Suthep, eaten a bowl of kao soi, and purchased an umbrella from Bo Sang.

About Chiangmai

The city of Nophaburi Sri Nakorn Ping Chiangmai was auspiciously founded by King Mengrai in the early hours of April 12 1296. Chiangmai was intended to be the great new capital of the thriving Lanna Kingdom and indeed it was to become one of the most important cities in the region.
The square laid out was 1800m by 2000m, and in time a moat would be added to mark out the boundaries of Chiangmai and safeguard the people within. At each corner a bastion, each with cosmological significance, was built, while the four main gates located on each of the flanks faced towards the four points of the compass. Today these landmarks remain to form an overwhelmingly unique character of Chiangmai for which this historical city is famed for.
In those early days of Chiangmai the Ping river, to the east of the original settlement, was the primary focus of the valley and brought traders from China and beyond as well as providing water for the agriculture that has long been a mainstay of the local economy. Today visitors to Chiangmai come from all over the world, not as traders but tourists who admire the incredible history, relax among the beautiful nature and enjoy the famous Thai hospitality.
Over the centuries the Lanna kingdom grew in strength and Chiangmai became a wealthy centre. The many beautiful temples and chedis that still stand today are a legacy of Chiangmai's distinguished past, and a distinctive culture developed independently of the great kingdoms of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya that were to arise after the heyday of the Lanna kingdom.
Though Chiangmai may have been overrun by the Burmese and almost deserted at one time, the Lanna culture survived intact, passing down ancient traditions and skills. Modern Chiangmai relies heavily on its past, and a thriving handicraft industry based on timeless skills and methods has turned it into one of Thailand's shopping magnets.
Welcoming visitors is an art perfected in Chiangmai, and recent decades have seen the city emerge as one of Asia's most popular and best value destinations. People come to experience the beautiful mountainous scenery of Northern Thailand, go trekking, eat, drink, party, delve into history and seek out adventure. The quiet winding lanes of the old town, the rustic old wooden guest houses, lively riverside restaurants, colourful hill tribe folk and bustling night bazaar all contribute to make Chiangmai an unforgettable destination.

Chieng Mai facts

The city of Chieng Mai is considered to be Thailand's second most important city and one its largest. Despite this, it remains a tenth of the size of Bangkok, with an estimated 400,000 people living in the greater urban area of the city. A growing community of long stay foreign residents and tourists swell this figure by an estimated 100,000 during the tourist season.
Chieng Mai is located approximately 700kms north of Bangkok and 250kms south of the Myanmar border. It sits well within the tropics, located 18° north and is surrounded by mountain ranges which form the tail end of the Himalayan range.
Chieng Mai sits in a broad valley at an elevation of 330 metres above sea level. The valley is dissected by the Ping River - one of the four main tributaries of the great Chao Praya - and it runs roughly from north to south.
As much as 70 per cent of Chieng Mai province is covered in mountains and forests. Agriculture, mainly fruit, vegetables and some rice cultivation, is the mainstay of the local economy. In the past ten years, tourism has become an increasingly important economic growth point for the city. Other industry includes cottage industry, handicraft production, exporting, small scale business and manufacturing.
The city dates back to 1296 when it was founded as the new capital of the thriving Lanna Kingdom. Lanna (meaning 'a million rice fields') predates the kingdoms of Sukhothai and Ayuthaya and incorporated an area stretching from Chieng Sean, on the northern reaches of the Mekhong river, to Lamphun, just to the south of Chieng Mai. It is one of the few cities in the world that boasts a fully preserved square mile moat and, even today, the corner ramparts and restored gates remain.
Chieng Mai has been continuously inhabited for more than 700 years, but its fortunes have waxed and waned at the hands of invading armies from Laos, Central Thailand and Burma. From the pinnacle of its strength under King Mengrai (c.1300) to its submission as a vassal state under the Burmese in the mid 16th century, the city has managed to remain largely independent and was only formally included in the greater Thai Kingdom when the Lanna monarchy was extinguished early in the 20th century.

Chiang Mai history

The kingdom of Lanna, covering much of Northern Thailand, was a thriving state long before the rise of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai traces its history back more than 700 years, making it one of the most historic cities in Thailand.
In 1296 King Mengrai founded Nophaburi Sri Nakorn Ping Chiang Mai as the new capital of his thriving Kingdom known as Lanna (million rice fields). Previously he had ruled from Chiang Saen, then a important trading town on the banks of the Mekhong river, as well as at Fang and Chiang Rai, before moving southward and eventually overrunning the older state of Haripunchai (presently known as Lamphun, 50kms to the south of Chiang Mai). However, the first attempt to found a new city in the Ping valley was thwarted by the flooding of the river and the site was abandoned. Seven centuries later these ruins to the southeast of the city were uncovered and today form an important tourist history attraction in Chiang Mai, known as Wiang Khum Kham.
King Mengrai was a powerful and successful ruler and Lanna prospered under his rule (1259 to 1317). He formed a great friendship with King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai and King Ngam Muang of Phayao, enjoying considerable support from these allies in the face of the southward Mongol invasions which caused so much upheaval in Asia during the 13th century. The Mon, who had inhabited the valleys of the Ping, Wang and other rivers of the region since the 8th century, were absorbed into the Lanna kingdom, along with their culture and skills. Over time a distinctive people would emerge, known as Khon Mueng, with their own dialect of Thai language.
Lanna's new capital soon became an important cultural and religious centre and remained so for several centuries. The city was laid out over roughly a square mile, temples were built (Wat Chiang Man, dating back to the early 14th century, still remains and Wat Phra Singh followed in 1345), and the distinctive moat and bastions were added. The wealth of the kingdom left behind legacies such as Wat Suan Dawk, with its towering chedis and Wat Jet Yod, which was built for the Eight World Buddhist council in 1477.
Chiang Mai and the greater Lanna Kingdom reached its zenith under King Tilokarat in the middle of the 16th century, expanding east as far as present day Nan province, south to Sukhothai and as far north as the present Myanmar/China border. It was during his reign that Chedi Luang was completed, towering an astonishing 96 metres. Despite an earthquake in 1545, which brought it down to 42 metres, it remained the tallest structure in the city until the 1950s.
Between the 16th and 18th centuries Chiang Mai lacked effective leadership, which resulted in a series of invasions and occupations from Burma and Ayutthaya, and control of the city remained elusive to the people of Lanna for over 200 years, despite multiple attempts to recapture the city. At one point the city was even evacuated and nearly deserted. Control of Chiang Mai was briefly returned to the Northern Kingdom between 1727 and 1763, but was to be conquered by the Burmese one last time.
The period of Burmese occupation finally ended in 1774, when King Taksin (Rama I) of Thonburi (Bangkok) realised the necessity of driving the foreigners out of Lanna to prevent them from further attacking Siam. King Taksin sent forces under Chao Kawila, a jâo meuang (nobleman) from Lampang, to defeat the Burmese - an operation that was, at last, successful.
Following the capture of Chiang Mai, Taksin appointed Kawila as the city's viceroy. Under his leadership the city went from strength to strength, with the reconstruction (c. 1800) of the monumental brick walls that are still standing to this day, and the establishment of a river port at the end of what is today Thapae Road. During this period Chiang Mai entered into prosperous trade relations with Burma and China.
The earliest record of foreign visitors to Chiang Mai comes from a Mr Ralph Fitch, who recorded visiting a place called 'Jamahey' in his voyages from Goa to Pegu and beyond (1583 - 1591), remarking that is was 'a fair and great town'. In 1614, traders Thomas Samuel and Thomas Driver arrived in Chiang Mai (probably overland from Burma) as representatives of the East India Company.
By the 1850s the British had a firm grip on Burma and the Bowring treaty, negotiated between the Siamese crown and British Consulate in Bangkok gave British traders in Northern Thailand extra-territorial rights for teak logging along the Salween river in the Shan states. Towards the end of the century this was to drive a wedge between Bangkok and Chiang Mai as the British constantly pressured the Royal Siamese Government to force compensation out of the impoverished Chiang Mai Prince in return for lawlessness on the frontier. In fact in 1869, two years after the first missionaries arrived, some of their first Christian converts were clubbed to death, instigating a reaction from King Chulalongkorn.
As Siam modernised, Chiang Mai become less isolated from the rest of the Rattanakosin kingdom that now controlled much of the area of present day Thailand. Lanna had enjoyed a degree of autonomy, but with the arrival of a postal service (1883) and later telegraph and railway (1921) Chiang Mai found itself increasingly drawn into the politics of the entire country. Finally, after the bloodless revolution of 1932, Siam (it only became officially known as Thailand in 1949) ceased to be an absolute monarchy and Chiang Mai became a province of the country.
Caught up in the events of the era, Chiang Mai was to lose its true independent nature and innocence. Under Japanese occupation during WWII many Northern Thais were conscripted to build roads to open up the Asian interior, and the legacy of their toil remains today in the form of roads that penetrate impossible mountainous terrain, allowing today's visitors to truly appreciate the region.
However, the area hasn't always been welcoming and safe to foreigners. The succession of military governments during the fifties, sixties and seventies alienated many Northerners. After the student uprisings of 1973 were brutally put down, many took to the hills of Northern Thailand and formed a communist insurgency that rendered much of the rural areas unsafe. As the political theatre of the region gradually changed, these groups laid down their weapons in amnesty programmes during the 1980s and the area finally opened up to tourism.
The 1990s saw a spectacular boom for Chiang Mai as the tourist industry took off and many of Thailand's visitors began favouring the North for its laid back charm, mountainous beauty and value for money. It wasn't long before speculating Bangkok property developers marched in and snapped up the land.
In 1992 the city proudly celebrated its 700 year anniversary and hosted the Asian Games in 1998. Even the financial crash of 1997 hasn't stopped Chiang Mai from becoming a cosmopolitan centre in Thailand, attracting a sizeable ex-pat community and enough tourists to swell its population by up to a quarter each season. Despite all this, Chiang Mai retains its individual Lanna character and distinctive easy-going charm, making it unique among all Thai cities.

Getting to Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is about 800km north of Bangkok and a 90-minute journey by air. It is connected to Bangkok by rail as well as road, and has air connections to several international destinations.
There are several ways of getting to Chiang Mai, including bus, train and airplane. Bus is the cheapest but least comfortable. Many opt for the overnight sleeper train which takes longer, however, the introduction of cheap flights for as little as 1000 baht (£15/$20) one-way has diverted popularity.
Chiang Mai International Airport has connections to and from Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore, Luang Prabang, Taipei, Kunming, Rangoon, Mandalay and Chittakong, as well as domestic flights to Mae Hong Son and Chiang Rai. There are at least 30 flights a day between Chiang Mai and Bangkok on a variety of airlines, with the recent introduction of budget fares from AirAsia, Taksin Air and Orient Thai. These should be booked online at least three weeks in advance. Singapore Airlines flies to and from Chiang Mai on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

By plane

Chiang Mai International Airport

Chiang Mai is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination and its international airport caters well to visitors, receiving 130 flights a week from Bangkok as well as Singapore, China, Taiwan, Myanmar and Laos. The airport is seldom crowded and has a full range of facilities on offer.
Located less than 10 minutes by taxi from the city centre, Chiang Mai International Airport has a single terminal to deal with both domestic and international flights. All check-in counters are located in the middle of the ground floor, while departures are upstairs on the mezzanine level. All arrivals exit into the lower level at the northern end of the building.
There is a travel agent at the airport and customer service desks for Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Bangkok Airways and a number of small airlines. The check-in area is seldom crowded. At least one exchange bureau is found in the terminal, offering reasonable rates, with an ATM on hand as well.
Chiang Mai Airport has several food outlets, including two coffee shops, a deli and a fast food outlet. There are also a number of small shops selling silk, handicrafts, fresh produce and souvenirs. On the mezzanine level, you will find a bookshop selling English language books and magazines.
Within the departure lounge there are additional food and merchandise shops, and a large screen television.
Getting from Chiang Mai Airport to the city is painless, there are plenty of tuk tuk and songtaew minibuses outside, charging 100 baht for a journey to most places in central Chiang Mai, although the journey back to the airport is only 50 baht.
There is ample, safe parking outside Chiang Mai Airport, costing 10 baht per hour. Hire cars can also be arranged from the airport.

Air Mandalay - from/to Myanmar
Bangkok Airways - to Ko Samui (flights from Ko Samui are indirect) and from/to Sukhothai; also Jinghong (China)
China Airlines - from/to Taipei, Taiwan
Hong Kong Express - from/to Hong Kong
Lao Aviation - from/to Laos
Nok Air - from/to Bangkok, Mae Hong Son & Udon Thani One-Two-Go (part of Orient Thai Airlines ) from/to Bangkok
SGA - from/to Chiang Rai (once daily) and Pai (once daily)
Silk Air - from/to Singapore
Thai Airways - from/to Bangkok and Mae Hong Son; also Kunming (China); in addition, flights from and/or to Phuket & possibly Nan may also be available seasonally
Tiger Airways - from/to Singapore

By bus

Buses to Chiang Mai leave from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Moh Chit). The cheapest, non-aircon, stop-everywhere government buses take around 12 hours; non-stop VIP 24-seaters manage the trip in 9 hours on a good day. Chiang Mai also has good bus connections to practically everywhere in the North, and major destinations/hubs in the North-East (Isaan); there's even a direct service to Pattaya and Rayong in the East.

By train

Various rapid, express and sleeper services leave from Bangkok's Hualamphong Train Station, taking 12-15 hours depending on the service selected. Sprinter trains are entirely second class air-con, have no sleeper berths, and are the only ones which cannot transport bicycles. Daytime trains are entirely second and third class, with no sleeper berths; the first "overnight" train of the day departs Chiang Mai at 2:50PM and arrives in Bangkok at 5:30AM.
The overnight trains - especially second class sleeper berths - are very popular, safe, comfortable and fun, and good value too - sleeper fares start at 531 baht for an upper berth in a 2nd class fan carriage. 2nd class lower berths are slightly more expensive than, but also slightly wider than, upper berths; air-con is of course a little more expensive than non-aircon. Those who wish to avoid sharing the relatively basic second class "bathroom" facilities can book a private first class two-berth cabin (the attendant cleans the first class bathrooms frequently).
Tickets can be purchased up to 60 days in advance; advance booking is advisable year-round, but especially between November and March - see SRT timetables and prices.
SRT charges 90 baht to transport a bicycle between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

By tuk-tuk or samlor

Tuk-tuks serve as Chiang Mai's taxis, going point to point for 30 baht and up depending on your skills. A few three-wheeled bicycles (samlor) still cruise the streets and will go your way for the same price, which is a great way to see the inner city temples. Try taking a samlor from Wat Prasing Temple to Wat Chedi Luang Temple in the early evening around sunset, or around the inner city at sunrise to see the monks walking around with their bowls collecting alms from the citizens.

By taxi

Chiang Mai has finally introduced Bangkok-style metered taxis. In early 2005 there were only 15 plying the streets (versus 2700 songthaews), but one year later there were over 45, with the number growing monthly. Rates are very reasonable at 30 baht for the first 2 km and 4 baht/km after that, however it's very hard to persuade the driver to use the meter. Dial +66 53-279291 for advance bookings, which are particularly useful when going to the airport (100 baht flat fare).

By motorcycle

Chiang Mai has an abundance of motorcycle rental services, with choices aplenty. Typical Asian motorbikes can be rented, such as Honda and Yamaha 110cc and 125cc models (both step-through and automatic), but off-road bikes and larger street bikes can also be found quite easily. Renting a small bike starts at around 200 baht/day with insurance; larger machines can climb to 800 baht/day for a V-twin chopper or large sport-bike, also with insurance. Expect discounts when renting for several days. Passports are usually taken as a deposit, although some shops will accept a photocopy with a cash deposit of a few thousand baht. As with any other tourist town in Thailand (except possibly in Bangkok), a valid international permit (IDP) isn't required by the rental shop; however, if you find yourself stopped by the police for whatever reason, be prepared to discreetly pay a small "mai pen rai" fee of at least 200 baht.

By bicycle

Within the old city walls biking is still an easy option to get around. You can get everywhere in town within 10 minutes and it saves the hassle of negotiating with tuk-tuk drivers all the time. Bikes rentals are offered at every other street corner, and for a simple bike start from 30 baht/day. You can pick up quality bikes for a comforatble ride at "Crank Tavern" near Chiang Mai Gate. They run well-organised tours in the mountains around Chiang Mai as well. See for a detailed map.

Chiang Mai tourist information

"Stay longer and Chiang Mai will leave you enchanted"
Visitors to Chiang Mai often stay longer than planned, simply because the atmosphere is so relaxing, the facilities cheap and the options for entertainment and activity numerous.
In Chiang Mai, tourist information can be picked up at one of the many tour operators about town. For a town of only 300,000 there is a surprisingly large variety of activities to keep you busy and sight seeing is perhaps the most popular, with numerous exquisite temples as well as historic ruins in this 700-year-old city. Plenty of friendly Thais are always on hand to show you their city.
Information on activities for tourists can be found in the numerous Chiang Mai magazines that are freely available, such as Guidelines, Good Morning Chiang Mai and Citylife. Several swimming pools are found throughout the city, as well as fitness gyms and tennis courts. Chiang Mai tourists also benefit from some superb golf courses which hire clubs and have reasonable green fees. However, there are plenty more activities and sports to suit all.
One of the biggest activities is shopping, with great deals to be had at the famous night bazaar. By day you can visit the handicraft centres at San Kamphaeng, Borsang and Baan Tawai.
Before leaving you simply have to take a course. Learn how to cook delicious spicy food, or the fine art of Thai massage. Perhaps you may wish to enter into a meditation retreat at selected temples.
Finally, Thais love to enjoy themselves, and Chiang Mai is loaded with restaurants and bars, clustered in the centre of town and offering all sorts of delicious Thai and foreign food, as well as beer and good cheer!

Temples

Buddhist temples in Chiang Mai show off a mixture of architectural styles that reflect the varied heritage of Northern Thailand. Elements from Lanna Thai, Burmese, Sri Lankan and Mon temples have all been used in one form or another. Intricate woodcarvings and protective Naga serpent staircases add a flamboyance that reflects an awesome reverence for the Buddhist religion. Gilded umbrellas, guardian figures from the tales of the Ramayana and stupas trimmed with gold filigree combine to heighten the overall effect.
To date, there have been some 300 temples constructed in Chiang Mai and its outskirts. Visitors should take the time to visit the most revered temples in the city, built during the noble Lanna Thai dynasty. The largest ones draw crowds, but it's well worth wandering off the beaten path and finding a temple not on the tour bus circuit.
The Thai patrons of Chiang Mai's temples are pleased to see that visitors take an interest in the images and traditions of Lord Buddha's teachings. All that they ask is that temple visitors show respect by wearing appropriate attire (long pants for men, modest tops and skirts for women, no bare shoulders and women must wear a brassier) so that monks and worshippers will not be offended within the sacred temple grounds.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

Established in 1383, this magnificent temple overlooks the city from its 1,073m elevation on the slopes of Doi (Mount) Suthep, which peaks at 1,685m. It is famous for its large gold-plated chedi, visible from the city on a good clear day. Although Wat Doi Suthep is the most recently built of the temples dating from the Lanna Thai period, it is the symbol of Chiang Mai. The site was selected by sending an elephant to roam at will up the mountainside.
When it reached this spot, it trumpeted, circled three times,and knelt down - which was interpreted as a sign indicating an auspicious site. Entrance to the temple is free for those who wish to climb the 300-plus steps; alternatively, there's a cable car with a 50 baht fare for foreigners. Clearly marked songthaews to Doi Suthep leave from Pratu Chang Phuak, passing Chiang Mai University and the zoo on the way. Prices are fixed at 40 baht up and 30 baht down; the drivers wait until they have sufficient (up to 8) passengers before they depart.
The trip takes about 30 minutes one way. Alternatively, the 18km journey from town can be made by motorcycle or a bicycle with appropriate gearing. The final 12km from the zoo onwards is entirely uphill and will take 60-90 minutes if cycling.

Wat Phra Singh

in the centre of the city at the intersection of Singharaj and Rajdamnern Road (west end) and is probably Chiang Mai's best-known temple, housing the Phra Singh image, completed between 1385 and 1400. Of particular note historically is Wihaan Lai Kham in the back, featuring Lanna-style temple murals and intricate gold patterns on red lacquer behind the altar. The large chedi was built in 1345 by King Pha Yu to house the remains of his father King Kam Fu. A typical scripture repository is located at this temple as well. These repositories were designed to keep and protect the delicate sa or mulberry paper sheets used by monks and scribes to keep records and write down folklore. The high stucco-covered stone base of the repository protected the delicate scriptures from the rain, floods and pests. The walls of the chapel are covered with murals illustrating Lanna customs, dress, and scenes from daily life. The lovely Lai Kam chapel houses the revered Phra Singh Buddha image. Sadly, the head was stolen in 1922, and a reproduction is now seen.

Wat Chiang Mun

Rajpakinai Road. The oldest temple in the city. Presumed to date from the year Chiang Mai was founded (1296), it is famed for two Buddha images, which according to legend are 1800 and 2500 years old. King Mengrai allegedly lived here while the city of Chiang Mai was being constructed. Enshrined in Wat Chiang Mun is a tiny crystal Buddha called Pra Seh-Taang Kamaneeee, which is thought to have the power to bring rain. Another image, called Phra Sila Khoa, reflects the fine workmanship of Indian craftsmen from thousands of years ago.

Wat Chedi Luang

Prapokklao Road. Located directly in Chiang Mai centre, this is the site of a formerly massive pagoda that was unfortunately destroyed in the great earthquake of 1545. The temple was originally constructed in 1401 on the orders of King Saeng Muang Ma. In 1454, reigning King Tilo-Garaj enlarged the chedi (pronounced jedee) to a height of 86 meters. After the earthquake, the chedi lay in ruins until 1991-92, during which time it was reconstructed at a cost of several million baht. A magnificent testament to Lanna (northern Thai) architecture and art, it is now every bit as impressive as it was when it was first built, and one of Chiang Mai's top tourist attractions. Wat Chedi Luang is also home to the "Pillar of the City", a totem used in ancient Thai fertility rites.

Wat Phra Jao Mengrai

off Ratchamankha Road (near Heuan Phen). An atmospheric wooden temple away from the beaten track, quiet and gently crumbling in the absence of tourist hordes.

Wat Oo-Mong

off Suthep Road. An ancient temple in the forest just outside Chiang Mai. King Mengrai built this temple for a highly respected forest monk who liked to wander in the countryside, hence the isolated location where the monk could stay quietly and meditate. It is unusual in that it has tunnel-like chambers in the ground, some of the walls of which still have the original paintings of birds and animals visible.

Wat Ram Poeng

Tambon Suthep, Amphoe Muang (4 miles south-west of the city) +66 53-278620. Offers facilities for retreats and meditation instruction.

Wat Suan Dok

Th Suthep, Chiang Mai (1/2 a mile west of the Old City Moat), +66 53-278967. Has a meet and greet for tourists and monks, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon between 15:00 and 17:00 hrs. Also, you can sign up for a 24-hrs introduction meditation retreat.

Wat Umong

Tambon Suthep, Amphoe Muang (3 and a half miles out of town) +66 53-277248 (08:30-16:00), Offers meditation courses and Dharma instruction in English every Sunday 15:00-18:00.

Museums

Chiang Mai City Arts & CulturalCenter

This fully modernised multimedia history and cultural education centre is located 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. The exhibits consist of a smart visual mix of video, scale models, enlarged photos, wall murals and text in Thai and English. The museum is open 8:30AM-5PM except Mondays. Admission is 90 baht. +66 53-217793

Hilltribe Research Institute Museum

Founded in 1965 as a result of a proposal by the noted anthropologist Prof. W.R. Geddes, who was doing research with the hilltribe peoples at the time, the Institute Museum offers exhibits concerning the lives and cultures of nine hilltribe peoples in Thailand: the Akha, Lahu, Lisu, Yao, Hmong, Karen, Lua, Khamu, and H'tin. Also included are a non-hilltribe ethnic minority, the Mlabri, associated by some with the 'spirit of the yellow leaves'. The Mlabri population has dwindled to only approximately 180 individuals at present.
The daily lives of the various hilltribe peoples are illustrated through exhibits of photographs, agricultural implements, household utensils, artefacts associated with the various traditional religions, musical instruments, and ethnic costumes. Some exhibits include models dressed in complete traditional costumes depicting daily activities, such as a Hmong family having a meal or a Lisu man serenading his sweetheart.
The Institute has established a new museum in a three-story pavilion located on the attractively landscaped grounds of Ratchamangkala Park (Suan Lor Gao) on Chotana Road, just a fifteen minute drive from the city centre. At present the museum is open weekdays 9AM-4PM, with a slide and video show available daily 10AM-2PM. Special group tours at weekends are possible with advance notice. For more information contact the Hilltribe Institute Museum, Chotana Road +66 53-210872 / +66 53-211933

Chiang Mai Numismatic Museum

(Treasury Hall), 52 Ratchadamnoen Road, tel: 053-22 4237/8. M-Sa 9AM-3:30PM.

Chiang Mai University Art Museum

corner of Suthep and Nimmanhaemin Roads, tel: 053-944833. Tue-Sun 9AM-5PM (free).

Museum of World Insects and Narural Wonders

Srimankalajarn Road, Soi 13 (midway between Suithep and Huay Kaew roads near Suan Dok Hospital); tel: 053-211891. One of Asia's most unusual museums housing butterflies, beetles and beyond. Daily 9AM-5PM (200 baht).

Postal Museum

at Mae Ping Post Office, (1-2 km south of Wat Phra Singh). Tu-Sa 08:30-16:30 (free).
Art Galleries and Exhibitions
There are many art galleries and exhibitions in Chiang Mai, featuring contemporary artwork of both local Thai and Myanmar artists.

Elephant Nature Park

Approximately 60km north of Chiang Mai. This is a sanctuary for rescued and distressed elephants. They are not here to perform or do tricks but people visiting here will leave with a whole new understanding of these magnificent creatures.

Maesa Elephant Camp

119/9 Tapae Road, Muang District, +66 53-206247 or +66 53-206248, An elephant camp in the hills about a half hour's drive north of the city center. It has an elephant show, which includes elephants playing football and painting. You can also take half hour or one hour elephant rides. Not exactly a place to bring a PETA activist, but many do enjoy the performances.

Bhuping Palace

is located on the same road beyond Doi Suthep (22 km from town). This royal winter palace has lavishly landscaped gardens and is open to the public daily 08:30-11:30 & 13:00-15:00 when the Thai royal family is not in residence. 50 baht for foreigners, 20 baht for locals, 10 baht for children.

Chiangmai Zoo

at the foot of Doi Suthep, Home to over 7,000 animals in a wooded natural environment. Its popularity was boosted recently when it received a pair of Giant Pandas from Sichuan, China.

Chiang Mai entertainment

Leisure and entertainment are two certain priorities among the people of Chiang Mai. Thailand's northern capital is a tourist town, but it is also home to 300,000 people, many of whom prefer a laid-back lifestyle focused on meeting and eating with friends, enjoying nature, taking it easy and partying with visitors.
Without losing its ancient charm, Chiang Mai has provided a myriad of simple entertainment options for its visitors and locals. This isn't Las Vegas, but rather a very quaint town comprising of numerous restaurants and bars, a number of discos, movie houses, bowling alleys and fun sports, cultural shows, museums and nature activities.
Chose from a range of luxurious hotels to suit all budgets and tastes or opt for a simple guest house tucked away out of sight in the Old Town. Outside of Chiang Mai are several excellent resorts and spas set among tropical jungle or rice paddies.
Enjoy an evening of live music as you tuck into an abundant spread of Thai curries and snacks at the popular riverside restaurants, or catch a quiet bite to eat at a small noodle shop down a quiet lane. Afterwards, head to the lively bars on Moon Muang road or go shopping at the Night Market.
One unique way to absorb the classic northern culture is to attend a Khantoke dinner. Exclusive to Chiang Mai, they are enchanting evenings of Thai cultural dance and music, with northern specialities enjoyed at lap level, all within a stunning traditional giant teak pavilion.

Restaurants in Chiang Mai

"Stay longer and Chiang Mai will leave you enchanted"

Visitors to Chiang Mai often stay longer than planned, simply because the atmosphere is so relaxing, the facilities cheap and the options for entertainment and activity numerous.

In Chiang Mai, tourist information can be picked up at one of the many tour operators about town. For a town of only 300,000 there is a surprisingly large variety of activities to keep you busy and sight seeing is perhaps the most popular, with numerous exquisite temples as well as historic ruins in this 700-year-old city. Plenty of friendly Thais are always on hand to show you their city.

Information on activities for tourists can be found in the numerous Chiang Mai magazines that are freely available, such as Guidelines, Good Morning Chiang Mai and Citylife. Several swimming pools are found throughout the city, as well as fitness gyms and tennis courts. Chiang Mai tourists also benefit from some superb golf courses which hire clubs and have reasonable green fees. However, there are plenty more activities and sports to suit all.

One of the biggest activities is shopping, with great deals to be had at the famous night bazaar. By day you can visit the handicraft centres at San Kamphaeng, Borsang and Baan Tawai.

Before leaving you simply have to take a course. Learn how to cook delicious spicy food, or the fine art of Thai massage. Perhaps you may wish to enter into a meditation retreat at selected temples.

Finally, Thais love to enjoy themselves, and Chiang Mai is loaded with restaurants and bars, clustered in the centre of town and offering all sorts of delicious Thai and foreign food, as well as beer and good cheer!

Dress Code: You are in a tropical country so daytime wear of shorts, T-shirt, etc. is quite OK; however you'll earn bonus points if you look clean and tidy. Thai people (even the poorest) take pride in personal cleanliness and appearance (look at school kids and college students) so the "unkempt" style of some visitors is not appreciated. In the evenings long trousers (dress or skirt for ladies) with a neat shirt/blouse, shoes with socks for men and nice shoes for women (no flip-flops) are a must if you wish to enter a nice restaurant and get a good seat. The nicer you dress the better the table and service. If not you might get a table next to the bathroom, in a corner away from the view or in front of a loud music speaker.

Chanchao's Chiang Mai Food Review is a good source of information on the fast-changing culinary scene, though it has not been updated for some time.

Budget

Thai:

Anusarn Market, Chang Khlan Road (same side of road as "Galare Food Centre" but much further up beyond Loi Kroh crossroad towards Sri Dornchai) is a busy outdoor night market with lots of little Thai restaurants and food vendors. Great atmosphere.

Brick Road Cafe, Ratchadamneon Road (about 200 metres after the 2nd crossroads on the main walking street from Thapae Gate to Wat Phra Singh). English-Thai run cafe with a relaxed atmosphere and extensive Thai menu, produced by experienced Thai chefs, plus a host of excellent low-priced Western options.

Galare Food Centre, Chang Khlan Road (opposite the Night Bazaar Building), has a large open-air food court, featuring free Thai classical dance performances nightly. All food is paid for with coupons; most mains 20-50 baht.

Kuaytiaw Reua Koliang, Moon Muang Road (near Ratchamankha Road; no English sign) serves authentic kuaytiow reua (literally "boat noodles", rice noodles in dark broth with beef). It's good stuff anyway at 25 baht a pop.

Ratana’s Kitchen, Tha Pae Road (near Tha Pae Gate), has a wide range of Thai dishes at low prices (30-60 baht for many) and a huge vegetarian selection.

Re-Feel Café, 48/4-5 Rachavithi Road offers great (cheap) Thai food, good atmosphere, friendly staff and free billiards.

Western:

Fish'N'chips Shop, Ratchawitee Road +66 53-418210. Fresh, crispy. The name says it all.

Mike's Hamburger Stand, on the corner of Chaiyapoom Road and Chang Moi Road (along the east side of the moat) and on Nimmanhaemin Road (across from Soi 1) are brightly-lit, "old-school" joints - just stools and a counter in an open shop. OK hamburgers for 60 baht, excellent onion rings. If you're tired of rice and noodles this is nice place to stop for lunch while walking around town, and an even better place to fill your stomach on the way home from the bars. Bacon, or ham and egg sandwiches on the breakfast menu. Open 09:00-15:00. The franchise now includes a shop in the Anusarn Market (see above) with others opening in Bangkok soon.

Woody's Fine Fast Food, 56 Chaiyapoom Road. Half-way between Thapae Gate and Spicy Pub, next to the 7/11. Serves Kebabs (Gyros), Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Falafel, Chips (Fries), Beer, Whisky, Wine and Soft Drinks. Tasty food, quality ingredients, cheap prices. Hygenic, friendly and attractive small diner and bar. Stays open after most other bars and restaurant have closed. Open 5pm to late.

Huen Phen, 112 Ratchamankha Road, specialises in Northern Thai food, and is popular with Thais and foreigners alike. Lunch in the air-conditioned hall is decent enough, but dinner in the profusely decorated old house in the back is little short of magical. Best of all is the price: a bowl of khanom jiin naam ngiaw (Shan-style pork rib noodles), a plate of som tum (green papaya salad) and some sticky rice will still leave you change from 50 baht! Open daily 08:00-15:00 & 17:00-22:00.

Just Kao Soy - a reasonably priced restaurant with excellent kao soy and vegetarian curry broth.

Amazing Sandwich, 20/2 Huay Kaew Road (north-west corner of the moat, opposite the Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel; plus two other locations) choose from a million and one items on their list and they'll build a sandwich for you your way. The also serve breakfasts and have bagels. Open daily 08:00-20:00 (Sunday close 16:00).

Chiang Mai Kebab, 69/4 Kotchasarn Road +66-71881832 - chicken, beef kebab, salad, Pita bread, falafel, samosa, vegetarian. 17:00-midnight.

El Toro Restaurant & Pub, 5/2 Loi Kroh Road. New Mexico style Mexican food at its finest prepared by experienced cook. Free food 17:00-19:00 every Friday.

O'Malley's Irish Restaurant, Anusarn Market, 149-14/15 Changklan Road +66 53-271921 - international cuisine and Guinness on tap.

The Dukes +66 53-249231 is located 50 meters north of the Tourism Authority of Thailand office at 49/4-5 Chiang Mai - Lumpoon Road, south of the Narawat bridge on the east side of the Ping River. Excellent American style dishes and desserts - ribs, burgers, pizza, cheesecake, etc. Full bar with local and imported beers and wines. Great family atmosphere, no loud music or entertainment, just good food.

The Meeting Restaurant & Café, 6/1 Soi 1, Kotchasarn Road. Have a talk with the friendly managers. Closed Sundays.

Kosher:

Kosher Restaurant, 89/15 Changklan Road (100 m from Empress hotel).

Vegetarian:

Khun Churn, 120/2 Nimmanhemin Road, Soi 7 +66 53-224124 - Thai vegetarian. Open 09:30-14:30 & 17:30-22:00, closed the 16th of every month.

Splurge

Thai:

When you come to Chiang Mai you should try a traditional Khantoke dinner and show. This is not just for tourists as the Northern Thai people have been enjoying the Khantoke dinner for centuries. There are also many garden restaurants where you can enjoy an excellent Thai meal in a beautiful setting.

Baan Rom Mai Garden Restaurant

Changklan Plaza, 191/12 Changklan Road +66 53-820031 /2. Open daily 10:00-midnight.

Galae Garden Restaurant, at the end of Suthep Road +66 53-278655 / +66 53-811041 - Doi Suthep foothill location at edge of a sparkling reservoir. Thai & Northern Thai food and grilled specialties in delightful outdoors.

Khum Khantoke, in Chiang Mai Business Park +66 53-304121 - be entertained while you dine on traditional North Thailand Cuisine. Reservations are a good idea to get a good seat. Family style all you can eat 350 baht. Nightly 19:00-22:00.

Le Grand Lanna Garden Restaurant, 51/3 Sankampaeng Road +66 53-262569 is a must see for its architectural teak splendor. Open daily.

Old Chiang Mai Culture Center 185/3 Wualai Road +66 53-275097 - the first commercial Khantoke Dinner in Chiang Mai more than 30 years ago. They have the best Northern Thai food of any of the Kantoke establishments however the seating, show and music are not as good as at Khum Khantoke. Nightly 19:00-21:30.

Palaad Tawanron Garden Restaurant

on a reservoir. Thai and English food. Wat Fai Hin behind CHiang Mai University, Suthep Road +66 53-216576 / +66 53-216039.

Saenkham Terrace Garden Restaurant, Clubhouse Ban Naifan 2, 199/163 T. Maehea +66 53-838990 - open daily 11:00-22:00.

Western:

Alois Bavarian Restaurant, Soi 8, Phrapoklao Road +66 53-278515 - authentic Bavarian specialties - open Tue-Sun, 11:30-23:00.

Arcobaleno Italian Restaurant (in front of Watket Temple), ☎ ''+66 53''-306254,. Open lunch & dinner.

Fillmore East Bar & Grill, Charernrasd Road +66 53-262416 - seating on two dining terraces facing Mae Ping river. Delicious USDA Beef, lamb, veal, chops, burgers. Excellent homemade deserts such as pecan, pumpkin and apple pie with large choice of toppings. The bar is separate from the riverside dining area so you can enjoy a romantic dinner in peace.

Piccola Roma Palace Italian Restaurant, at corner of Charoenprathet Road & Sri Donchai Road near Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel +66 53-820297 / +66 53-271256 - open lunch & dinner. An unforgettable dining experience amid beautiful surroundings. Serving residents over 15 years.

The House, 199 Moonmuang Road +66 53-419011 - old 1930's colonial style house in town center. Pacific rim & fusion food. Open 18:00.

The Mango Tree Café, 8/2-3 Loi Kroh Road +66 53-208292 - open 07:00-22:30. Top quality Thai & Western cuisine. Sunday Roast Lamb.

Vegetarian:

Whole Earth, 88 Sridonchai Road +66 53-282463 - open 11:00-21:00.

Bars in Chiang Mai and nightlife

Most of Chiang Mai's bars and pubs are located along Loi Kroh Road and Moon Muang Road. Here you can find small expat hangouts, go-go bars and sports bars. Most have pool tables and hostesses, along with music videos or various TV sports programs. A few of those similar bars are:

Bars and pubs

Crank Tavern, Bottom of Ratchapakinai Road (Near Chiang Mai Gate) +66 899 654722 is a beautifully recycled wood furnished bar with free Internet, great tunes and friendly staff. Now with what are becoming known as the best pub meals in Chiang Mai its a great place to have a meal and spend a relaxing evening. Also home of Crank Adventures (see above) for excellent mountain bike tours and bike hire.

Elephant Café, Kotchasarn Road (near Thapae Gate) +66 857 233440 - nice clean friendly bar with pool room, large TV & friendly hostesses.

Half Moon Pub, Soi 2 Moonmuang (around the corner from Topnorth Guesthouse), +66 853 205023, Open 10am till late, late. Sports bar with many regulars and tourists. Darts & pool area, big TV, really nice international cuisine, especially the burgers but also good Thai & Indian dishes. Excellent (can be loud) music, friendly atmosphere and beautiful women.

Number One, Loi Kroh Road Soi 1 - friendly bar with free Internet and pool table. Plenty of talkative expats and pretty hostesses.

Tuskers, Chaiyaphum Soi 1, +66 871 804 665, - bar and restaurant with a touch of Thai style and international standards of service, free pool table and live sports.

There are also some bars with a different atmosphere:

Café Souvannaphoum, 20/1 Ratchamankha Road, (near Moon Muang) +66 53 903-781. A decent wine bar with comfortable seating and relaxing music, great escape from the busy street life, open M-Sa: 17:00 - 01:00.

The Pub 189 Huay Kaew Road (near Amiri Rincome Hotel) +66 53-211550, long established olde worlde English pub in the true tradition, has had a makeover and extended the bar and the restaurant but kept its charm. Great selection of food and drinks, including roast dinners on Sundays. Has an outside area where you can sit and enjoy the tranquility of a tropical garden, and has recently added bungalows for those wishing to linger longer.

West of the city center, the area around Nimmanhaemin Road is a popular hangout for younger Thais, perhaps due to its proximity to Chiang Mai University. The pubs, as they are called here, tend to straddle a fine line between bar, restaurant and nightclub, and feature loud music interspersed with live bands fronted by musicians who are most likely hitting the books in the daytime. Tourists looking for something racier are better off staying in the east side of town.

BangRak, Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 6 - hangout spot for a primarily student crowd. Weekend nights are standing-room only and the clubbing atmosphere is complete; weekday nights are a little slower. Well air-conditioned, and no cover charge, but you'll be expected to purchase some drinks. Open 18:00-01:00.

Mo'C Mo'L, Huay Kaew Road - pub and restaurant near Chiang Mai University, there are many zone in the restaurant: coffee shop, dining outdoor near the small pond, dining indoor with live music.

Monkey Club, Nimminheimin Road Soi 9 +66 53-226997 -8 - another hot spot for the students, with a variety of live music. Open 17:00-01:00.

Warm Up Bar This chain bar / restuarnt / club has several venues in Thailand. The venue in Chang Mai is a lot less touristy and the dancehall packed to the brim of Thai students.

Live music

The area along the east bank of the Mae Ping River on Charoenrat Road is famous for jazz, rock, pop, Thai and country and western live music, along with restaurants serving Thai, western, and Chinese food. Coming from the center of the city, just walk from the night bazaar across the Narawatt Bridge, from where all the restaurants can be seen along the river on the left.

Most bands in Chiang Mai play for about an hour, and then move on to do the same at another restaurant or pub, so don't be surprised to see the same band twice if you switch venues.

La Brasserie, 37 Charoenrat Road +66 53-241665 - this riverside venue is not famous for its food, but the music is great, and there's a good selection of cocktails and spirits. Sit outside in the lush garden setting where acoustic guitar is played (19:00-midnight) or inside at the bar and catch the famous Took and Friends (23:00-02:00) who play old Hendrix, Dylan, Marley, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and other favorites.

Tha Chang Jazz Club, 25 Charoenrat Road (next to Gallery Restaurant) +66 53-248601 - good for a drink any day, but best visited on Saturdays for live jazz.

The Chiang Mai Riverside Restaurant, 9-11 Charoenrat Road +66 53-243239 Everyone who has been to Chiang Mai eats at least once here. There is a large menu of Thai and western food. If you want a good homemade hamburger, this is a good place to get one. The live music starts around 19:00 with dinner music from the Eagles, Beatles, or soft jazz. Starting at 21:00, the music changes to more rock and pop songs. Full bar service serving wine, beer, and spirits are available. The Chiang Mai Riverside restaurant gets very crowded, so get here early to get a table. The Riverside also offers a nightly dinner cruise departing at 20:00 for 70 baht/person extra.

The Garden Chiang Mai, 139, Ratchadamnoen Road, Well stocked bar, great food and a beautiful garden. The Chiang Mai Blues Club meets here to play at 20:30 on Wednesdays, and there's also live music on Sundays during the walking street market which is right outside the gates.

The Good View, 13 Charoenrat Road +66 53-241886, Thai and western varieties of rock, jazz, pop and country music entertain in the evening. Their extensive menu offers more than 150 Thai, Chinese, and western dishes, including curries, noodles, rice, and pizza. Soft drinks and a full bar serving wine, beer, and spirits are available. Again, if you want a good, riverside-view table get there early.

The North Gate, inside the city moat and east of Chang Puak Gate, The North Gate has easily become one of the most popular, regular destinations for Chiang Mai's young ex pat community. With nightly jazz performances starting around 9:30 PM with different performers and occasional guests from the audience, the North Gate offers something unique to the often repetitious Chiang Mai live music scene. In addition to nightly music performed by true lovers and technicians of jazz, the North Gate offers a variety of drinks not normally found within Chiang Mai- notably red and white wine, mojitos, and other mixed drinks. The staff is quick and efficient and prices are damn cheap!

Nightclubs

Bubbles

B1, Porn Ping Tower, 46 Charoen Prathet Road. Would be just another cheesy hotel disco if not for some good DJs and enthusiastic crowds; now it's a cheesy, packed and fun hotel disco on weekend nights. Cover charge 100 baht including one drink; open until 02:00.

Discovery - opposite Kad Suan Kaew shopping centre and Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel. Is a small club with live band, DJ and huge screens showing music videos, good for drinking nights and letting loose. Bring ID/passport as they can be strict with entry especially on weekend nights.

Spicy is a hectic after hours place with good drinks, dancing and lots of local good looking girls looking to party - be warned, they almost always ask for money.

Gay Bars

Chiang Mai is a popular destination for gay tourists and many Gay people have retired here. It has a vibrant Gay scene, highlights include:

Friendship Bar, Thapae Road Soi 1 (between the Peak Climbing wall and D2 Hotel). Small oudoor bar popular with Thai gays, ex pats and tourists alike. 50 baht up for small beer.

Glass Onion, Room 1 project, 61, Nimmanhaemin Rd., Telephone: 66(0)53218479. Sophisticated wine bar popular with gays, opposite "Warm Up"

Golden Ball (Bon Tong in Thai), Santitham Road (At Junction with Tewan Road), Chang Phuak Tel: 66(0)53406043, Northern Thai style outdoor bar and restaurant. Local prices: Drinks start from 45 baht for a large Chang beer. Packed with very friendly staff and fun atmosphere.

Festivals in Chiang Mai

Songkran Festival Chiang Mai Thailand - The big splash!

Every year, around the middle of April, a mayhem of water breaks out in Chiang Mai. Tools are downed, traffic grinds to a halt and everyone takes to the streets for the world's biggest water fight. And what a fight it is; vendors appear with their arsenals of brightly coloured water pistols, buckets and hoses, mass crowds descend on the city's moat, and the city gets drenched from head to toe.

This is Songkran, the mother of all excuses for Thais to party and enjoy themselves. And as the hot season reaches its zenith, with daytime temperatures into the 100s, Thailand beckons the rainy season with a cooling off celebration of water. What was once a symbolic tradition has now turned into a week-long commercial riot of water.

Of course it's a great time for tourists to be here too. Nowhere else in the world can you experience such an emphatic celebration which epitomises a country where fun ('sanook') is the operative word. It becomes impossible to go anywhere without getting wet. In fact, some people, those lacking a sense of fun, even have to leave town! On every street corner, in every suburb, lurks a mischievous bunch of kids with a large bucket and some spray pumps. If you're on a motorbike or in a tuk tuk, expect to be drenched before you even reach your destination. The only remedy is to join in the fun and get a water pistol of your own.

The centre of all the fun is the square mile of the old town, and Chiang Mai's ancient moat lends itself perfectly to the occasion. At once, it becomes a massive swimming pool, reservoir and water-fighting venue, as people line the streets and grassy banks that flank these pretty stretches of water. Water taps are installed all over the central area but you can also join a crowd outside one of the bars or restaurants that may have provided a larger bowser of water. In fact, Chiang Mai is probably the most popular place in Thailand for participating in Songkran and its layout is perfect, which is why so many Thais arrive from Bangkok and other regions to join the fun.

Songkran is the Thai celebration of New Year, a time when people return to their hometowns and families get together in a show of goodwill. Traditionally it's also an opportunity to spring clean the house thoroughly as the long, dusty dry season gives way to rain. And for a country where rain is essential for the rice crop, a festival to invite the rains is an important one indeed. The water element once started out with a lustrating of the Buddha at the local temple and the gentle pouring of a 'little' water onto the shoulders of family members, elders and villagers, but today it involves plenty of fun and sometimes goes on for weeks in the rural parts.

But there is more to Songkran than water. There are processions and traditional blessing ceremonies centred at the local temples. Sand chedis are made as symbolic gestures to the Buddha, and in the bigger towns, a host of events take place. In Chiang Mai, this includes a parade of floats, a beauty contest, religious rites, plenty of singing, traditional costume displays and, as always in Thailand, plenty of food. It's also a time to pay respect to the village elders and, typically, one representative from each family will do the rounds of the oldest and most respected people, offering them food hampers and receiving a blessing in return.

For Thai's, Songkran is also a chance to 'cool off' and let down their otherwise reserved demeanour. Cultural protocols are flushed down the drain as girls turn out in skimpy water-drenched outfits, boys go bare-chested, gay people 'come out' in a variety of outrageous costumes and ladyboys flaunt their 'too-perfect' waistlines. Everyone is game during Songkran regardless of the usual hierarchy of status, and you have a licence to drench anyone. When foreign guests join in, the locals are particularly pleased and you'll find yourself welcomed by a group, 'initiated' with a bucket of iced water down your back, and supplied with an unending supply of food, drink and...yes, water.

A final word of warning: all sense of organisation breaks down during Songkran in Chiang Mai. Traffic is gridlocked and travelling by motorcycle is likely to leave you soaked, so don't plan too much. Keep your camera and electronic gadgets in sealed waterproof bags and don't lose your sense of humour; expect to be endlessly pelted by jovial, sometimes drunken, but mostly harmless people. If you are riding a motorbike, proceed slowly as roadside pranksters have a dangerous habit of throwing buckets-full of water in the faces of oncoming riders. Luckily the water throwing ceases after nightfall.

Programme of events

Wednesday 11th:
Ceremony honouring the Phra Singh Buddha - Wat Pra Singh (7pm).

Thursday 12th:
Salutation ceremony - Three Kings' Monument (10am).

Friday 13th:
Old Lanna Parade - from TAT office to Thapae Gate. (start 7:30am).
Official opening of Chiang Mai Songkran - Thapae Gate (8am).
Ladies with umbrellas on bicycles parade contest - Thapae Gate (8:30am).
Procession and lustrating of the Buddha - Governor's residence/Thapae road (2pm).
Cultural performances - Wat Phra Singh (7pm - midnight).
Beginning of water fights - city wide (all day).

Saturday 14th:
Sand carrying procession - Thapae road (1pm - 2pm).
Water fights - city wide (all day).

Sunday 15th:
Parade of traditional costume to pay respects to the governor - Thapae road (1pm).
Water fights - city wide (all day).

Additional activities throughout the festival

Building the world's largest sand stupa - Wat Jet Lin (10am - 11am daily).

Lustrating the Buddha, traditional performances, costume contest for children - Buddhist Association Hall (1pm - 2pm daily).

Traditional drumming and dancing, stupa building - Wat Loke Molee (6pm - 11pm daily).

Merit making and performances by local artists, Lanna games - Wat Phra Singh (1pm - 9pm daily).

Loi Kratong

festival (November) is a lovely '"festival of light" where the sins of the past year are washed down the river by floating small '"kratongs" (banana leaf bouquets with lighted candles and incense) down the river, or by launching '"khoms" (glowing paper balloons) into the night sky. The sight of hundreds of these dotted about the sky and waterways adds magic to this charming and peaceful celebration.

The Flower Festival

in February closes off the entire south-western corner of the moat, as Thailand's extraordinary variety of tropical species, including near-perfect orchids, are displayed in a tapestry of colour.

Makkha Puja Day

is also held in February and is one of the most important Buddhist celebrations on the calendar. Make you way to Wat Chedi Luang to witness the hundreds of people walking around the grounds in a peaceful candlelit procession.

Chinese New Year

takes place in in late January or early February and involves '"lion dances" and fireworks in the best traditions of the Chinese descendents in Thailand. The Chinese City pillar near the Flower Market is a locus of this celebration.

Khao Phansaa (July)

is a low-key observation of the coming of the Buddhist lent, in which monks traditionally go into retreat during the rainy season. This is a good time to witness a Buddhist ordination.

The King's and Queen's birthdays

(5th of December and 12th of August, respectively) are also mothers' and fathers' day in Thailand and the whole country demonstrates their respect by erecting beautifully decorated huge pictures and murals to their revered monarchy. If you have a chance to visit a Thai school, Wai Khru Day (June) is a super display of student-teacher appreciation and respect.

Khantoke evenings

Arguably the best way to enjoy Northern Thai culture is to spend an evening at a Khantoke dinner. Increasingly popular with tourists, these events have evolved into a superb display of the best of Thai culture; including a sumptuous spread of Northern Thai food (served in traditional-style at floor level), classical Thai dancing from exquisitely dressed dancers, and traditional Northern and other Thai music played on unique Asian instruments. Several of these venues are now situated out in the suburbs and take place in beautifully constructed traditional pavilions. Your hotel or guesthouse can organise this activity for you. There is also a free cultural show every evening at the Night Market.

Shopping in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a shopping paradise, simply because there is such a wide range of unusual goods at knock down prices. The quality is variable but the value for money undeniable, and most leave with much fuller luggage than when they arrived. When visiting Thailand it's advisable to leave your shopping for Chiang Mai, it's considered one of the cheapest places in Thailand and getting about town is easy.

Chiang Mai is one of the handicraft centres of Asia, and not surprisingly many of the market traders from overseas come here to source their goods. Silk, silver, clothing, rattan, ceramics, interior décor, antiques, Buddhist art, lacquer and neilloware—the list of options is endless for shopping in Chiang Mai.

The centre of shopping is undoubtedly the Night Bazaar, which takes up several blocks every evening along Chang Klan road. Here you can wander among the countless pavement stalls and arcades admiring the beautifully crafted Northern Thai handicrafts. The more serious can head out to the huge handicraft wholesalers at San Kamphaeng and check out Borsang village with its colourful umbrellas. Baan Tawai to the south of the city is a busy working carving centre with some exquisite pieces on display and the best selection of antiques.

The Night Bazaar

Famous throughout Thailand, the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is perhaps the best place in the Kingdom to stock up on souvenirs and tourist-friendly clothing and accessories. It takes up several blocks along Chan Klan road with its locus at the intersection with Loi Kroh road - an area now being colonised by Starbucks and McDonalds. Most of the stalls here display clothes, but many also hawk fake goods, luggage, Thai handicrafts, souvenirs, jewelry, footwear and more. The real stuff can be found in the Vieng Ping centre, which is a two level gallery that houses better quality wares (and slightly more expensive). This is a prime attraction in Chiang Mai and no visit to the city is complete without a night spent here. There is also a food court here where you are treated to classical Thai dancing accompanied by a Thai ensemble, as well as numerous restaurants, fast food outlets, coffee shops and ice cream parlours in the area. Make sure you have your bargaining boots on!

Warorot market

Located beside the river at the end of Chiang Moi road, this is the largest and most central of the markets in the city. It still retains its traditional feel and caters to both locals and visitors alike, with a ground floor full of food stuffs and good value clothing on the mezzanine levels. It’s also a good place to pick up fabrics in the adjacent streets. It’s a ten minute walk from the central Tapae road and well worth a visit during the day. By night the bottom end of Chiang Moi road becomes an evening flea market.

Ton Lamyai - the flower market

Adjacent to Wororot is a line of flower shops on the opposite side of the road from the riverfront. Flowers may not be high on a traveller’s shopping list but its worth a look to gasp at the counter-inflationary cost of a dozen roses (about US$5!). Here you’ll find the city’s greatest concentration of kratoeys (ladyboys) who seem to naturally gravitate towards flower arranging! Both arrangements and fresh flowers are widely available.

Somphet Market

This smaller food market is regularly ‘discovered’ by tourists wandering the old town as it sits beside the eastern flank of the moat on Moon Muang road (soi/lane 6) and it’s a genuine and fascinating glimpse at live food for sale. The cookery schools like to bring students here to verse them in ingredients. It’s only a five minute walk from Tapae Gate, northwards.

Muang Noi Market

This is the fresh fruit centre of Chiang Mai and it is here that restaurants and locals will come to source the best pineapples, bananas, watermelons and more to make those delicious and cheap smoothies they all offer. It’s found near the American Consulate, beside the river a little north of the city, but within a 10 minute walk of Wororot Market.

Anusarn Market

Essentially part of the extended Night Bazaar precinct area, the Anusarn market is a large open area set back from Chang Klan street, five minutes walk from the central intersection of the Night Market area. This is a food market with local produce and Northern delicacies, but has some wonderful seafood restaurants among others, open in the evenings until about 10:30pm. It servers hungry night shoppers well and is a welcome respite from the busier main street.

Wualai Street Market

Wualai street is traditionally the silversmith and jewellery area of the city but these days almost anything is sold here from light fittings to traditional herbs. Recently they began a Saturday evening market here which is similar to the Walking Street and a fun evening activity where you will find buskers, food vendors and plenty of art. Wualai street runs diagonally from the Chiang Mai gate on the South flank of the moat.

Local markets

To escape the overly commercial and tourist feel of the city centre markets and witness a real suburban market, there are several you can easily find. Chang Phuak market is the nearest, and within walking distance but mostly sells trendy T-shirts and casual wear. It is located just north of the Chang Phuak gate on the Northern flank of the moat. For something more authentic, head towards the mountain along Suithep road, past the hospital on your right until it meets the canal road. Tucked away to your right at this intersection is Ton Payom market, which is open all day. If you travel along Huay Kaew road towards the university you will discover a popular night market after the super-highway intersection, which caters mainly for Thai students. Further on, where the road intersects with the canal road, head down the small lane that is beside the 7-eleven a you’ll find a delightful dusk market with fresh produce.

Khamtien plant market

Plants may not be something you can take home in your suitcase but Thailand boasts some wonderful tropical species and gardening is popular. This market, located behind Tesco Lotus on the Super-highway (north), is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon browsing the colourful array of nature’s finest. Many of the shops have created enchanting secret Balinese styled gardens, with ponds and fountains and plenty of greenery - a perfect escape from the concrete jungle of the downtown area.

JJ Market

This is one of the newest markets in the city, a purpose built crafts centre for the city’s distinctive bohemian element to display all their curious wares. It’s located near Khamtien market and is open on weekends. Genuine Arts are offered here.

Borsang

Umbrellas are inextricably associated with Bo Sang where villagers have been engaged in their manufacture for at least 200 years. All materials - silk, cotton, sa paper (manufactured from the bark of the mulberry tree) and bamboo - are produced or found locally. Visitors to Borsang will see literally hundreds of designs and sizes of umbrellas ranging from the miniature to the gigantic.
Baan Tawai

Woodcarving is a traditional northern Thai art featured in numerous temples, while in modern times it has been increasingly used to embellish furniture-screens, chairs, tables, beds, indeed anything bearing a wooden surface, large enough to be carved-as well as in carved elephants, figurines, tableware and other popular items. Chiang Mai's Bantawai village in Hang Dong district is a leader in making furniture. Principal materials used include teak, rosewood and rattan. The development of Hang Dong has been a Chiang Mai success story. Not many years ago Hang Dong consisted of a couple of shop-fronts and factories stretching as far as the eye could see, but now showrooms as sophisticated as any in Europe line the street. Hang Dong is an importer's heaven. Eleven kilometers south of Chiang Mai.

Walking Streets

Walking Streets: Roads are closed to traffic and a festive vibe of shopping, eating, drinking and hanging out with friends are what draws the crowds to these events?

Kad Sum Murd (Midnight Market)
Kad Sum Murd, which means Midnight Market, takes place in front of Kad Suan Keaw department store on every Thursday to Saturday from 6 p.m.-11 p.m., it is lit up by candles creating a surreal shopping experience with a variety of cheap and cheerful products from northern Thailand.

The Wisdom of Lanna Arts & Craftsmen Walking Street
This market showcases art from 21 villages, including the Yong, a popular group from the north. The Yong are known for their unique handicraft techniques. They are famous for their elephant wood carvings, bamboo products, souvenirs, for drawing pictures on cloth, creating dolls made from cloth, and more. This fair is at Buak Kang, Sankamphaeng District, every Saturday from 4 p.m.-11 p.m., the fair covers a distance of four kilometres, offering a wonderful variety of ethnic products and exhibitions on these peoples ways of life.

Wualai Walking Street
At Wualai Road every Saturday from 5 p.m.- late. The famed old silver street sells souvenirs, silver products, home decor and more.

Ratchadamnoen Walking Street
At Tha Pae Gate and along Ratchdamnoen Road., every Sunday from 5 p.m.- midnight. The perfect place to spend a Sunday evening, shopping, drinking, eating, watching the crowd go by, enjoying buskers, sales, artists, etc. Nice vibe.
Nimmanhaemin

Great little area featuring such famous shops as Gong Dee Gallery, Wit's Collection and Gerard Collection, whose designs are becoming very famous in Bangkok and beyond. Perfect gift buying shops in a quaint little shaded area of the city. Some of the products include very original hand-painted ceramics, water hyacinth furniture, lacquer home décor items and much more. Not the cheapest area, but its boutique feel makes it very popular. West side of town, towards Chiang Mai University.

Tha Pae Area

In the city centre and where many of Chiang Mai's prestigious shops are located. It's a bit of a pain to find a parking space, but shops such as Living Space, Lost Heavens and Nova Collection are well worth visiting, each selling unique and beautiful products. There are also the general tourist shops selling silk, handbags, hill tribe artifacts, handicrafts and other great souvenirs.

Shopping Malls

Central Airport Plaza and Kad Suan Kaew are both massive shopping malls, a cool and different venue for summer or monsoon season shopping. Lots of teen knickknacks as well as brand name outlets.

Thai massage Chiang Mai

The art of Thai massage has been refined during hundreds of years of practice and passed down through generations. In Chiang Mai massage is alive and well and enjoyed by hundreds of visitors every day. The methods used today date back to Indian Ayurvedic practice developed initially by Buddhist monks nearly 2000 years ago. All across Thailand, particularly in tourist areas such as Chiang Mai, you will find massage shops.

Here in Chiang Mai, spending an hour or two having your muscles kneaded, pushed, pulled and relaxed is an invigorating experience and banishes all the aches and pains you get from travelling, walking and sitting on long bus or air journeys. When in Thailand, this is one experience you should certainly indulge in, and the whole two-hour experience costs less than a price of a gym workout in your home country.

Thai massage

which involves vigorously treating more than 100 areas of the body, using hand pressure and the masseuses own body to apply forces that aim to work pressure points, and re-align energy lines in the body. Ideally, this process takes at least two hours and can be a little uncomfortable at times, but leaves you feeling very relaxed.

Oil Massage

is gentler than Thai massage and involves deep muscle tissue treatment using specially blended therapeutic oils. Of course it leaves you a little oily afterwards, requiring a shower to freshen up, but can be a very sensual experience.

Foot massage

works the internal organs of the body through manipulation of pressure points on the soles of your feet in much the same way as reflexology. This is another skill that has been passed down through the ages and can be quite effective in producing a mild detox effect on the body. At the Night Bazaar and Sunday Walking Street in Chiang Mai foot massage is widely available and a popular relief for tired feet.

Many places also offer massages specialising in specific parts of the body, such as the hands and head.

Thai massage focuses on 10 energy points in the body, known as 'sen' though there are over 70,000 recorded sen in all. It differs from other forms of massage in that there is a focused spiritual aspect involved, and a properly trained masseuse will conduct a short prayer before commencing in order to focus their energy on the task.

Aspects of yoga are incorporated in the massage, bending and twisting the torso to 'reset' the muscular-skeletal position. The procedure is a slow and patient one, with most attention given to areas which are most muscular, such as the thighs. There arent many 'brutal' movements in this form.

The most active tool in a masseuses arsenal is the thumb, however, as with the fingers, there is indirect pressure applied and the ball of the digit is used rather than the tip. A correctly trained Thai massage practitioner will avoid sensitive areas such as the knees. If you have ailments or chronic problems sensitive to body pressure, you are advised to receive your massage from a professional spa, where the masseuse will usually quiz you beforehand so as to avoid anything painful and harmful. Its also not advised to go for a massage directly after eating.

Thai massage shops in Chiang Mai

In Chiang Mai, you can find plenty of massage shops liberally scattered throughout the tourist centres, advertising themselves with a large reflexology diagram outside. Some are them are very simple, consisting of a couple of mattresses on the floor, with clean linen, though this doesnt suggest the massage will be inferior. In general, older women are the most experienced and skilled at giving massage. Those that display a selection of young ladies outside are less likely to give you a proper Thai massage.

Hotels and spas offer a more luxurious environment, with nicely decorated private cubicles, scented clothing and soft music, as well as more of a guarantee that the masseuse is a good one. However, they are typically two or three times more expensive and not necessarily any better. Usually a Thai massage will cost 120 baht an hour and a foot or oil massage is 200 baht an hour in the small shops.

Although there are plenty to choose from, we have recommended a few for you. When selecting a massage shop, look out for the certificates on the wall indicating the masseuses have been properly trained. Some locals have a favourite place they regularly frequent, often due to the friendly character of the masseuse. Most masseuses are ladies. Foot massages are always offered at the walking street market on Sundays, and at other popular events.

Lek Chiaya Massage: is a well established place, centrally located, and the proprietor, Lek, has several decades experience teaching and giving deep tissue massage. 79/1 Ratchadamnoen rd, near Tapae Gate, Chiang Mai. Tel: 0-5327-8325

Baan Nit Massage: is the domain of Nit, a highly experienced and knowledgeable old lady whose methods of deep tissue and herbal massages have been passed down through many generations of Chinese healers. Soi 2, Chaiyaphum rd (near northeastern moat corner), Chiang Mai.

Vieng Ping Massage: is a small, clean, professional place with experienced masseuses, under Swiss management, slightly upmarket. Soi 2, Tapae rd, Chiang Mai (look for sign halfway down on the north side of the street).

Lets Relax: is an upmarket place near the Night Bazaar, offering a range of spa treatments, or simple massage at premium rate. Chiang Mai Pavilion, Chang Klan rd, Night Bazaar. Tel: 0-5381-8494

The Old Chiang Medicine Hospital: can be a little difficult to find but is perhaps the most professional place in the city and has a full training course with expert and very experienced massage practitioners. Located on Hang Dong road, across from the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre; tel: (053) 27 5085.

The Best Massage: boasts a large staff of very professional masseuses and private rooms for everyone. It's always busy despite charging double the rate of the small outfits, but worth it. Located in car park between Porn Ping Towers hotel and Vieng Ping Night Bazaar centre. (053) 904 666.

Kavilek Spa: is a very respectable place which is popular with ex-pats because of its location in suburban western Chiang Mai. It has a large professional staff, comfortable facilities and a lovely interior, yet charges reasonable rates. Nimminhemin rd, near Amari Rincome Hotel. (053) 895 187.

Spas in Chiang Mai

There are many options for day spas in Chiang Mai, ranging from the full pamper luxury treatment, to more down to earth treatment with matching prices. In fact, Chiang Mai is an ideal place to indulge yourself, it’s laid back and cheap and you’ll certainly want to stay longer.

The Oasis spa has expanded over the past two years to become one of the leading spa groups in Chiang Mai and now has three well-appointed branches with one conveniently located in the old town beside Wat Phra Singh, another near Thapae Gate in the Amora Rydges and a third in the Nimmenhemin area. Open from 10am to 10pm, they offer a relaxing experience in peaceful environments, treating you with therapeutic herbs and oils, and using traditional and modern techniques and remedies to help you unwind. Facilities include a jacuzzi and steam bath and they offer a range of packages to suit all budgets and time scales.
Tel. (053) 227 495

For something in between, try Ban Sabai on Charoen Prathet road. This Chiang Mai spa offers a relaxing retreat in stylish rooms, with affordable prices in a convenient location. Call +66 (0) 53 285 204 for bookings. They also have a resort spa outside of the city in San Phi Sua, if you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Ban Sabai Spa Villa +66 (0) 53 854 778

The new Chur Medical Spa on Changmoi road has treatments that work on your cellulite, reduce stress or firm your body. Experienced staff will give you consultations pre- and post-treatment. For bookings, call +66 (0) 53 233 923.

Spas in Chiang Mai don’t come much better than Angsana Spa, located at the Green View International Resort just outside the city on the Chiang Mai-Mae Rim road. If you really want to be pampered, with a matching price tag, try this one. It is a sister brand of the award-winning Banyan Tree resort and spa group. Here, you can spend a day being treated like royalty - you can do a treatment with a friend too, as they have double treatment rooms as well! Reservations are a must and the spa will provide free pick-up Tel. +66 (0) 53 298 249.
Email: spa-greenviewchiangmai@angsana.com

Tao Garden Health Spa and Resort has a good detox and slimming program, including chi organ massage, karsai genital detox massage, deeper skin detox and a herbal skin detox. Their scientific approach to health is blended with a natural environment and they are located outside of Chiang Mai in a lovely natural setting.
Tel: (053) 495 596.

However, for those who are more interested in learning about how to give spa treatments or Thai massages, there are also courses available. These can range from one-day "experience" type courses to full-blown certification courses that can take up to three months to complete. A very popular and renowned massage school is the Thai Massage School of Chiang Mai (TMC), with two locations next to the Chiang Mai University Art Museum or on Chiang Mai-Maejo road. It has a course to suit your interest, budget and time. A full accreditation course is also available. The massage school also offers massages - it is sometimes possible to get free massages from the students as well - but these have to be booked in advance. The school can be reached at +66 (0) 53 854 330.

IMPORTANT CALLS

Airport (053) 270-222 to 5
Emergency Call 191, 1155
Highway Police (053) 242-441, 193
Railway Station (053) 245-363 to 4
TAT Office (053) 248-604 to 6
Tourist Police (053) 248-974
Export Promotion Center (053) 221-376, 216-350 to 1
Immigration Office (053) 277-510, 282-532

ABOUT THAILAND

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ABOUT THAILAND

The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, making it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China. Its shape and geography divide into four natural regions : the mountains and forests of the North; the vast rice fields of the Central Plains; the semi-arid farm lands of the Northeast plateau; and the tropical islands and long coastline of the peninsula South.

The country comprises 76 provinces that are further divided into districts, sub-districts and villages. Bangkok is the capital city and centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. It is also the seat of Thailand's revered Royal Family, with His Majesty the King recognised as Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist religion and Upholder of all religions.

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or King Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty, the present king. The King has reigned for more than half a century, making him the longest reigning Thai monarch. Thailand embraces a rich diversity of cultures and traditions. With its proud history, tropical climate and renowned hospitality, the Kingdom is a never-ending source of fascination and pleasure for international visitors.

Neighboring countries:
1) Myanmar - west and north,
2) Lao P.D.R. - north and northeast,
3) Cambodia - southeast and
4) Malaysia - south.

Area: 513,115 sq. km.

Topography: Thailand is divided into 4 natural regions:

The mountainous North, with its profusion of multi-coloured orchids, fascinating native handicrafts and winter temperatures are sufficiently cool to permit cultivation of temperate fruits such as strawberries and peaches;

The high Northeast Plateau, which still jealously guards its many archaeological and anthropological mysteries;

The Central Plain, one of the world's most fertile rice and fruit-growing areas with colourful traditional culture and way of life as well as the sandy beaches of the East Coast and vibrant cosmopolitan Bangkok;

The peninsular South where the unspoiled beaches and idyllic islands complement economically vital tin mining, rubber cultivation and fishing.

Population: Thais are well-known for their friendliness and hospitality. A large majority of over 62 million citizens of Thailand are ethic Thai, along with strong communities whose ethnic origins lie in China, India and elsewhere. About 7 million people reside in the capital city of Bangkok.

People: Thai (80%), Chinese (10%), Malay (3%), and the rest are minorities (Mons, Khmers, hill tribes) Ethnic Thais form the majority, though the area has historically been a migratory crossroads, and has thus produced a degree of ethnic diversity. Integration is such, however, that culturally and socially there is enormous unity.

Language: Spoken and written Thai is largely incomprehensible to the casual visitor. However, English is widely understood, particularly in Bangkok where it is almost the major commercial language. English and some European Languages are spoken in most hotels, shops and restaurants in major tourist destinations, and Thai-English road and street signs are found nationwide.

REGIONS OF THAILAND

CENTRAL & EAST COAST

There are 26 provinces that make up Central and Eastern Thailand, and Bangkok is one of them. Geographically, this is Thailand’s heartland, extending from Lop Buri in the north and covering the rice bowl of the Central Plains around the Chao Phraya River. Further south, the area embraces the east and west coasts of the upper Gulf of Thailand.

This is Thailand’s most fertile farming area, a wide-ranging landscape of paddy fields, orchards and plantations. More than 1,000 years ago Thai settlers moved down from the north, gradually replacing Mon and Khmer influences and establishing communities at Lop CENTRAL & EAST COAST Buri then at Sukhothai, before founding a kingdom that lasted 417 years with Ayutthaya as its capital. When the Burmese destroyed Ayutthaya in 1767, the capital moved to Bangkok.

The Central region has a dramatic history, and its heritage of ancient temples, battlefields and ruins and two capitals, Ayutthaya and Bangkok, are a continuing fascination for visitors. The east and west sea coasts at the region’s southern end also draw huge numbers of visitors every year. Bangkok residents spend long weekends enjoying the relaxing seaside atmosphere, while holiday-makers from around the world to discover the delights of the tropical beach life.

On the eastern side, 400 kilometres of coastline extend from Chon Buri to Rayong with some of the finest beaches in Asia. Pattaya, with an enormous range of resorts, hotels and guesthouses, is its centre. If you are seeking a more relaxing experience, travel further down the coast to Rayong or Ko Samet, and the lovely islands of Ko Chang National Park near the Cambodian border.

On the west coast, the resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin attract international travellers who prefer their more sophisticated yet laid-back atmosphere.

Far from the sea in the northwest of the region is Kanchanaburi, whose forested mountains, waterfalls and caves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries on the border with Myanmar provide some of Thailand’s most enthralling scenery.

The 26 provinces of Central and East Coast are Ang Thong, Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri and Trat.

THE NORTH

The North is the birthplace of the earliest Thai civilisation and has many sites of archaeological and cultural interest. Northern people are famous for their courtesy and hospitality, and the region is also noted for its variety of cultural traditions. Many tourists from the surrounding provinces converge on Chiang Mai for the annual Songkran Festival, and to Sukhothai for Loi Krathong.

The North falls into two distinct areas, the plains of the lower north from Nakhon Sawan to Sukhothai, and the mountainous upper north leading to borders of Myanmar and Laos. The mountain ranges along the borders are breathtaking, with waterfalls and fast-flowing rivers ideal for rafting. They are also the home of many ethnic hill people.

The region has three seasons, hot from March to May, wet from June to November and cool from December to February. High up in the mountains, though, “cool” may often mean extremely cold.

The Thai nation had its origins in the North, in city states that were gradually incorporated into the Lanna kingdom centred on Chiang Mai. Sukhothai became the first capital of Thailand, but the influence of the Lanna states of Laos and Myanmar can be clearly seen in the architecture and cuisine of the North.

The nomadic hill people of the region pursued their own course, moving back and forth across frontiers. There are six main tribal groups, Karen, Hmong, Lahu, Mien, Akha and Lisu, each with its own unique customs and clothing. Today, they are settled in villages on the mountainsides, a great attraction for travellers.

Most overseas visitors make for Chiang Mai, the northern capital, as a base for visiting ethnic tribes, soft adventure activities and shopping. Further north still, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son are centres for rafting, trekking and tours of tribal villages. To the south, the Historical Park at Sukhothai is an essential destination for all those wishing to discover more about the history and culture of Thailand.

The 17 provinces that comprise the North are Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phichit, Uthai Thani, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Sukhothai, and Uttaradit.

THE NORTHEAST

The Northeast of Thailand, a vast plateau covering nearly one third of the country, is usually known as Isan. It extends northwards to the Mekong River which divides Thailand from Laos, and to the south and it ends at the Dong Rek mountain range along the border with Cambodia.

It is known to be an arid region with soil of poor quality, but for tourism, Isan is one of the country’s most intriguing destinations with many Stone Age and Bronze Age dwellings and artifacts, and several significant temples that are a legacy of the great Khmer empire.

The sandstone shrines are popular tourist attractions, particularly the superbly restored sites at the historical parks of Phimai in Nakhon Ratchasima and Phanom Rung in Buri Ram. The great temple complex at Khao Phra Viharn in Si Sa Ket on the border with Cambodian is now accessible to visitors after a long period of isolation.

The Bronze Age settlements at Ban Chiang in the province of Udon Thani provide fascinating evidence of the work of the local potters some 5,000 years ago. The red and white pottery with characteristic “fingerprint” designs are thought to be the first earthenware vessels known to man.

Two of Thailand’s best-loved national parks, Khao Yai, Phu Kradung and Phu Rua in Loei, are in Isan. Other major attractions include the villages in Khorat and Khon Kaen where the beautiful local silk is woven by hand.

Isan is a comparatively poor region whose main income is from agriculture, and many of the younger people in the villages migrate to the city. But Isan folk have a distinctive character and dialect and a vigorous culture, with their old traditions still reflected in the many festivals unique to the region.

With its strategic position bordering Laos and Cambodia, Isan has in recent years risen to become a useful starting point for adventurous journeys to destinations along the mighty Mekong River. There have been important developments in infrastructure to accommodate what is expected to be a boom in tourism.

Travel in the region has been improved by domestic airlines with regular flights to regional airports; and it is no longer impossible to find luxury accommodation, especially in large provinces of Khon Kaen, Udon Thani Nakhon, Ratchasima and Ubon Ratchathani.

The Northeast consists of 19 provinces: Amnat Charoen, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani and Yasothon.

THE SOUTH

This region extends southward along a narrow peninsula lying between the Andaman Sea its west side and the South China Sea on the east. It is a rich land in terms of the abundance of its natural resources, the fertility of its soil, the diversity of its people and its commercial viability.

The South is made up of 14 provinces from Chumphon in the north down to the Malaysian border 1,200 kilometres from Bangkok. It has a long coastline on either side with sandy beaches and offshore islands on both, and a rugged central hinterland of mountains and forests.

The east coast on the Gulf of Thailand always seems to be more relaxed, with long, wide bays and calm seas; the Andaman Sea coast tends to be more rugged and exhilarating, with its strange limestone rock formations and cliffs.

The occurrence of two seasonal monsoons means that the climate differs from the rest of Thailand. The southwest monsoon sweeps the west coast and the Andaman Sea from May to October, while the northeast monsoon moves across the Gulf of Thailand form November to February. The peninsula forms a barrier so that rain rarely falls on both coastlines simultaneously.

The area was once part of the Buddhist Srivijaya Empire but later came under the rule of Ayutthaya and then Bangkok. Chinese and Malaysian influences have played a large part in the cultural makeup of the region; the further south, the stronger the Malaysian influence, with a dialect akin to Malay, a predominance of Muslim communities and mosques. Rice fields give way to rubber plantations, and Chinese tin mining operations become evidence.

The coastline attracts most tourists, though Samui island in the Gulf of Thailand is growing in popularity as a laid-back holiday spot with first class diving opportunities nearby on Tao and Pha-ngan islands.

The Andaman Sea coast offers more sophisticated choices in the island province of Phuket, Thailand’s premier holiday resort. However, the fascinating rock formations and offshore islands at Phang-nga, Krabi and Trang are extremely popular for the diving and sailing opportunities they offer.

The mountains, rivers and forests in the national parks in the interior of the peninsula are also gaining popularity with eco-tourists, as can be seen with the growing numbers of safari expeditions on foot, by elephant and in canoes.

The South of Thailand consists of 14 provinces: Chumphon, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phang-nga, Phatthalung, Phuket, Ranong, Satun, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Trang and Yala.

Geography

The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, making it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China. Its shape and geography divide into four natural regions : the mountains and forests of the North; the vast rice fields of the Central Plains; the semi-arid farm lands of the Northeast plateau; and the tropical islands and long coastline of the peninsula South.

The country comprises 76 provinces that are further divided into districts, sub-districts and villages. Bangkok is the capital city and centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. It is also the seat of Thailand's revered Royal Family, with His Majesty the King recognised as Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist religion and Upholder of all religions.

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or King Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty, the present king. The King has reigned for more than half a century, making him the longest reigning Thai monarch. Thailand embraces a rich diversity of cultures and traditions. With its proud history, tropical climate and renowned hospitality, the Kingdom is a never-ending source of fascination and pleasure for international visitors.

HISTORY

Throughout its 800-year history, Thailand can boast the distinction of being the only country in Southeast Asia never to have been colonized. Its history is divided into five major periods

Nanchao Period (650-1250 A.D.)
The Thai people founded their kingdom in the southern part of China, which is Yunnan, Kwangsi and Canton today. A great number of people migrated south as far as the Chao Phraya Basin and settled down over the Central Plain under the sovereignty of the Khmer Empire, whose culture they probably accepted. The Thai people founded their independent state of Sukhothai around 1238 A.D., which marks the beginning of the Sukhothai Period

Sukhothai Period (1238-1378 A.D.)
Thais began to emerge as a dominant force in the region in the13th century, gradually asserting independence from existing Khmer and Mon kingdoms. Called by its rulers "the dawn of happiness", this is often considered the golden era of Thai history, an ideal Thai state in a land of plenty governed by paternal and benevolent kings, the most famous of whom was King Ramkamhaeng the Great. However in 1350, the mightier state of Ayutthaya exerted its influence over Sukhothai.

Ayutthaya Period (1350-1767)
The Ayutthaya kings adopted Khmer cultural influences from the very beginning. No longer the paternal and accessible rulers that the kings of Sukhothai had been, Ayutthaya's sovereigns were absolute monarchs and assumed the title devaraja (god-king). The early part of this period saw Ayutthaya extend its sovereignty over neighboring Thai principalities and come into conflict with its neighbours, During the 17th century, Siam started diplomatic and commercial relations with western countries. In 1767, a Burmese invasion succeeded in capturing Ayutthaya. Despite their overwhelming victory, the Burmese did not retain control of Siam for long. A young general named Phya Taksin and his followers broke through the Burmese and escaped to Chantaburi. Seven months after the fall of Ayutthaya, he and his forces sailed back to the capital and expelled the Burmese occupation garrison.

Thon Buri Period (1767-1772)
General Taksin, as he is popularly known, decided to transfer the capital from Ayutthaya to a site nearer to the sea which would facilitate foreign trade, ensure the procurement of arms, and make defense and withdrawal easier in case of a renewed Burmese attack. He established his new capital at Thon Buri on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The rule of Taksin was not an easy one. The lack of central authority since the fall of Ayutthaya led to the rapid disintegration of the kingdom, and Taksin's reign was spent reuniting the provinces.

Rattanakosin Period (1782 - the Present)
After Taksin's death, General Chakri became the first king of the Chakri Dynasty, Rama I, ruling from 1782 to 1809. His first action as king was to transfer the royal capital across the river from Thon Buri to Bangkok and build the Grand Palace. Rama II (1809-1824) continued the restoration begun by his predecessor. King Nang Klao, Rama III (1824-1851) reopened relations with Western nations and developed trade with China. King Mongkut, Rama IV, (1851-1868) of "The King and I" concluded treaties with European countries, avoided colonialization and established modern Thailand. He made many social and economic reforms during his reign.

King Chulalongkorn, Rama V (1869-1910) continued his father's tradition of reform, abolishing slavery and improving the public welfare and administrative system. Compulsory education and other educational reforms were introduced by King Vajiravudh, Rama VI (1910-1925). During the reign of King Prajadhipok, (1925-1935), Thailand changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. The king abdicated in 1933 and was succeeded by his nephew, King Ananda Mahidol (1935-1946). The country's name was changed from Siam to Thailand with the advent of a democratic government in 1939. Our present monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is King Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty.

Chanthaburi Province

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Famous for its abundance of tropical fruits and as a centre of gems, the eastern province of Chanthaburi is also blessed with rich, verdant forests with scenic waterfalls. The Chanthaburi River flows through the town which has been the home of ancient communities. Quiet fishing villages and peaceful beaches are not far from town.

Chanthaburi was occupied by the French during the early part of the 20th century. Their influence can be seen in the architecture of many buildings including the largest Catholic cathedral in Thailand, catering to a sizeable Christian population.

About 245 kilometres from Bangkok and covering an area of 6,338 square kilometers, Chanthaburi as administratively divided into the following districts:- Mueang Chanthaburi, Tha Mai, Khlung, Laem Sing, Pong Nam Ron, Makham, Soi Dao, Na Yai Am, Kang Hang Maeo and Khao Khitchakut sub-district.

Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

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Nakhon Si Thammarat is a town in southern Thailand, capital of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and the Nakhon Si Thammarat district. It is about 610 km (380 miles) south of Bangkok, on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula. The city was the administrative center of southern Thailand during most of its history. Originally a coastal city, silting moved the coastline away from the city. The city has a much larger north to south extension then west to east, which dates back to its original location on a flood-save dune. The modern city centre around the train station is located north of Old Town.

It is one of the most ancient cities of Thailand, and contains many buildings and ruins of historical significance. With the fall of the Siamese capital of Ayuthaya in 1767 it became independent, but returned to its allegiance on the founding of Bangkok. In the 17th century British, Portuguese and Dutch merchants set up factories here and carried on an extensive trade.

As of 2005, the city has a population of 105,417.

History

The city of Nakhon Si Thammarat is one of the oldest towns of southern Thailand. Its origins are not fully known. Most historians recognize the Tambralinga kingdom of Chinese records as a precursor of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The town chronicles of this time are hardly separable from legend, but they do tell of an abandonment and refounding of the town, which would explain the break in history between Tambralinga and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
References to a country named Poling appear in Chinese chronicles from the Tang dynasty period down to the early Ming dynasty. Many scholars identify Poling with Maling and Danmaling was one of the member-states of Sanfoqi (mean Srivijaya in Chinese language) in the central part of the Malayu Peninsula or now a day the southern Thailand. Consequently, Poling may also be equated to the Tambralingarat (Tambralinga state) that appear in Indian sources. By the end of the 12th century, Tambralinga had become independent of Srivijaya kingdom. Its rapid rise to prominence since the 13th century till the beginning of 14th century, Tambralinga had occupied the entire Malay Peninsula and become one of the dominant Southeast Asian states. By the end of the 14th century, Tambralinga had become a part of Siam (Thailand now a day) named Nakhon Si Thammaraj.
At the time of the Sukhothai kingdom, the Nakhon Si Thammarat kingdom was already listed as one of the kingdoms under control of the Thai, which it has remained during most of its history. It was usually known as Ligor to European merchants in the 16th century. At the end of the 19th century, the kingdom was finally fully absorbed into Siam by converting it into the Monthon Nakhon Si Thammarat. With the abolishment of the monthon system in 1932, the town now is simply a provincial capital.

Wat Phra Mahathat Woromaha Vihan
Wat Phra Mahathat is the most important temple of Nakhon Si Thammarat and southern Thailand. It was constructed at the time of the founding of the town, and contains a tooth relic of Buddha. The 78 m high chedi is surrounded by 173 smaller ones. While the chedi is now in Sri Lankan style, it is said to be built on top of an earlier Srivijaya style chedi.

At the base of the chedi is a gallery named Viharn Tap Kaset, decorated with many Buddha statues and elephant heads emerging from the chedi. Viharn Phra Song Ma is the buildings which contains the staircase which leads to a walkway around the chedi above the gallery. At the bottom of the staircase are demon giants (yak) as guardians. Adjoining to the north is the Viharn Kien, which contains a small temple museum.

South of the chedi is the large ubosot building, the Viharn Luang. The monk living quarters are located across the street in a separate temple, Wat Na Phra Boromathat.

The chedi is the symbol of the Nakhon Si Thammarat province, present in the seal of the province. It is also displayed on the 25 satang coin.

City wall
The city chronicle already mentions a fortification when the town was refounded in 1278. Restorations were recorded at the time of King Ramesuan (14th century), as well as King Narai (1686). The latter one was supported by the French engineer M. de la Mare.

The walls spread 456 m from East to West, and 2238 m North to South, thus enclosing an area of about one square kilometre. The northern wall had only one gate, called Prathu Chai Nua or Prathu Chai Sak, also the southern wall had only one gate. To the east there were three gates, which connected the town with the sea. To the west were five gates. Today only the northern gate still exists, together with a short stretch of the northern city wall.

Lampang Province

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Lampang is situated on the right back of Mae Nam Wang and lies 559 kilometers north of Bangkok at the junction of highways of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, with an area of 12,543 sq.kms. It is administratively divided into 13 Amphoes : Muang, Chae Hom, Hang Chat, Ko Kha , Mae Mo, Mae Phrik, Mae Tha, Ngao, Soem Ngam, Sop Prap, Thoen, Wantg Nua and Muang Pan. Lampang lays claim to two unique features: it is the sole Thai town still using colourful horse drawn carriages as a means of everyday urban transport and it claims to have the world's only training school for baby elephants. Both attractions account for the bulk of Lampang's Thai and foreign visitors.

Wat Phrathat Lampang Lunag
Lies some 20 kilometers south of Lampang and is one of the North's finest temples. The chedi towers above surrounding trees. To the left of the chedi is a viharn with a carved wood facade and double - level roofs. Hamonious proportions and exquisite interior decoration make Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang one of the best examples of Northern - style religious architecture

Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao
On the right bank of Mae Nam Wang is an old building which consists of an impressive chedi on a rectangular base with a round spire topped with gilded bronze plaques. A Burmese-style chapel topped by tiered roofs stands against it. The chapel contains a Burmese style Buddha image with particularly interesting decorations. The chapel probably dates from the late 18th century. Beautiful colours and elaborate harmony make Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao one of Thailand's best examples of Burmese-style temples

Wat Chedi Sao
(Temple of Twenty Chedis) is also on the right of the bank of Mae Nam Wang, north of town. The temple is attractively set in an open ricefield. The complex is impressive
with its Burmese - style bell - like spires.

Wat Sichum
This monatery is situated on Lampang - Ngao Highway just passing the main entrance of Lampang Teacher's Training College and branching off at Km. 601 on the left of this monastery. Its architecture is of Burmese arts having very sophisticated and beautiful wood carvings on the structure of the Vihara while gold gilded works are found on the walls, ceiling and big pillars in the Vihara, regarded as another exquisite graceful beauty of Burmese arts. It is regrettable that the vihara's upper part which was made of wood was mostly damaged by fire. Only the carved-wood arch at the entrance has been left.

The Elephant Conservation Centre
Is attached to the Veterinary Section of the Northern Timber Work Division of the Forestry Industry Organization and is the first centre in Thailand to train elephants for the forest work.
The Centre is located in Ban Tung Kiewn, Amphoe Hang Chat, on Lampang-Chiang Mai Highway 32 kms. from Lampang. At the centre, the elephants' activities such as bathing, working, log pushing, etc., are held for show. In addition, the centre has provided elephant riding tourist route.

Doi Luang National Park
Covers areas of Lampang, Phayao and Chiang Rai. The main attraction in Lampang area is Namtok Wang Kaeo one of the most beautiful waterfall in Lampang, with water

Trang province

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Trang at a glance

Located approximately 828 kilometers from Bangkok, Trang Province covers an area of 4,941 square kilometers. The province borders on Nakhon Si Thammarat Province to the north, Satun Province and the Indian Ocean (Andaman Sea) to the south, Phatthalung Province to the east and the Indian Ocean and Krabi Province to the west. Trang is considered a magnificent coastal province as it long, beautiful coastline stretches 199 kilometers along the Indian Ocean. In addition, the province has two major rivers flowing through it, the Trang River, which originates in the Khao Luang Mountain Range and Maenam Palian from the Banthat Mountain Range.

Despite the fact that Trang City plays a key role in facilitating trade and communications to Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand's southern commercial hub, Trang is a province less traveled to by tourists. It was only recently that Trang has been poised to establish itself on the international travel map.

Trang has geographical advantages similar to that of Krabi and Phang-Nga. This includes breathtaking islands and astounding beaches along the coast as well as awe-inspiring inland limestone- propped mountains. The province consists of an archipelago in the Andaman Sea with over 46 islands. Of these, 12 are in Amphoe Kantang, 13 in Amphoe Palian and 21 in Amphoe Sikao. The best time to visit Trang is between December and May.

Trang has both mainland beaches and a whole string of offshore islands. For visitors interested in light-adventure activities such as cruising coastal waters, visiting notable sights such as the enchanting Emerald Cave, which is accessible only by water, will prove to be remarkable experience. Additional attractions include the Mu Ko Petra National Park with beaches and islands lapped by the warm waters of the Andaman Sea. Some of the dive sites in the National Park are world-class. There are also wildlife sanctuaries such as Namtok Khao Chong and Khlong Lamchan Park with waterfalls, nature trails and caves. For those looking for a relaxed, tranquil ambience, Trang is a perfect place to unwind amidst stunning scenery.

With an abundance of blissful attractions mixed with cultural heritage, Trang Province is truly an emerging fascinating tourist destination with numerous jungles, mountains and waterfalls.

The City also has numerous attractions. Walking around Trang City, visitors will be amazed at the mixture of Western, Chinese and Thai cultures reflected in the architecture that range from the Sino- Portuguese shop houses to the Chinese temples and shrines. The Pan-Ya House is the local style of houses in Trang, which offers an insight into the architectural heritage of this town. In addition to architectural attractions there are many parks to stroll through and markets to explore. The main two markets in Trang are Ta Klang and Municipal markets.

History of Trang

Trang or Muang Thap Thiang used to be a port engaged in foreign trade. It was the first city where rubber was planted after Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi brought it from Malaysia in 1899. Since then, rubber has become Souths major commodity and is now considered an important source of income for farmers.

Todays Trang

Trang has a total area of 4,941 square kilometers and is divided into 10 districts (Amphoe) and 1 sub-district (King Amphoe); Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Kantang, Amphoe Huai Yot, Amphoe Yan Ta Khao, Amphoe Palian, Amphoe Sikao, Amphoe Wang Wiset, Amphoe Na Yong, Amphoe Ratsada, and King Amphoe Hat Samran.

The best time to visit Trang

The best time to visit Trang is between December and May. As it is located on the same coastline as Phuket and Krabi Provinces, Trang Province is also influenced by the monsoon. The temperature is generally warm all year round with an average temperature varying from 20 Celsius to 36 Celsius.

In April, the daytime temperature is highest and it is also the hottest period of the year. The rainy season, which is from May to September, has rains and short downpours during the daytime. The monsoon period comes from September to November and then from December onwards the weather generally becomes more pleasant.

Samut Sakhon Phet province

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Samut Sakhon was formerly called Tha Chin probably because, in the old days, it had been a trading port dealing with a vast number of Chinese junks. In 1548, a town named Sakhon Buri was established at the mouth of the Tha Chin River. It was a centre for recruiting troops from various seaside towns. The name of the town was changed into "Mahachai" when Khlong (canal) Mahachai was dug in 1704 to join the Tha Chin River at the town. Later, the town was renamed Samut Sakhon by King Rama IV but it is still popularly called "Mahachai" by the villagers.

Samut Sakhon is located 30 kms. from Bangkok. The province occupies a total area of 872 square kilometres and is administratively divided into 3 districts: Muang Samut Sakhon, Krathum Baen, and Ban Phaeo. It is a major fishing port and also the biggest producer of brine salt.

Article Source: www.tourismthailand.org

Chon Buri Province

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Chon Buri The Nearest Seaside Retreat

Chonburi, Bangkoks nearest seaside town, is located on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand, only 80 kilometers from Bangkok. The area boasts abundant natural resources, which are highlighted by delightful beaches, local colors, traditions, delicacies and fresh seafood. This is a popular resort among Bangkokians who seek the nearest escape from hectic weekly schedules as Chon Buri has something for everyone. In addition, Chon Buri is the center of the Eastern Seaboard Development Project, with its industrial parks and fishing villages.

Pattaya
Pattaya A Travelers Paradise

Pattaya is nestled along a picturesque bay on the East Coast of the Gulf of Thailand, roughly 170 kilometers southeast of Bangkok. From a fishing village in the 1960's, Pattaya has emerged as the favorite Southeast Asian vacation center. A fascinating escape where tourists, holiday makers and vacationers from around the world unfold an incomparable array of possibilities to unwind during an exotic holiday beach vacation.

Unlike other beach resorts, where natural surroundings are used as magnets to attract tourists, Pattaya makes an all-out attempt to provide the best of everything. Here, everything means everything a tourist can imagine while on holiday: recreation, entertainment, sports, sightseeing and fun. To put it simply, Pattaya is a paradise for everyone, as it has a variety of attractions suitable for all types of visitors. This is the place where you can fill your day, from dusk to dawn, with endless activities, or you may choose to do nothing at all and relax.

The Past

Pattaya's name was originated from the march of Phraya Tak (later known as King Taksin the Great) and his followers from Ayutthaya to Chanthaburi just before the fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom to the Burmese invaders in 1767.

When Phraya Tak's army arrived in the vicinity of what is Pattaya today, he encountered the troops of Nai Klom who tried to intercept him. When the two leaders met face to face, Nai Klom was awed by Phraya Tak's dignified manner and his army's strict discipline, thereby surrendering without a fight. The place where the two armies confronted each other was later called Thap Phraya, which means the Army of the Phraya. This was later changed to Phatthaya, which happens to mean the wind blowing from the southwest to the northeast at the beginning of the rainy season. Today the spelling of the name has been simplified to Pattaya.

For centuries, Pattaya was a small fishing village almost cut off from the outside world. But a big change occurred on 29 April 1961 when the first group of about 100 American servicemen who would join the Vietnam War arrived in Pattaya for relaxation. Soon, sleepy Pattaya became Thailand's premier and most successful beach resort, which annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking visitors. A full range of accommodations from super deluxe hotels to bungalows and mini-pocket guesthouses replaced fishermens huts along the beach. Fishing vessels were adapted to become tourist boats and swimmers and sunbathers from various parts of the world frequented the quiet powdery golden beaches. Places of nighttime entertainment have also sprung up and are popular among international tourists.

The Present

Pattaya currently integrates the delights of a 1st class beach resort, city-like dining, shopping and night entertainment facilities with more than 300 assorted hotels, thousands of shops, restaurants and bars. In addition, there are an array of sports and recreational activities including beaches, golf courses, tennis courts, go-kart, gyms for working out, weight lifting and Thai-boxing gear. Pattaya offers a broad range of things to do. During the day, one may enjoy riding elephants or driving humble automatic mini-bikes, monstrous motorcycles, or even monster multicolored convertible Jeeps. Others go for shooting firearms, scuba diving and surfing, deep-sea fishing, speed boats, scooters, water-skiing, parasailing, or aerial sports such as gliding ultra-lights and flying motor-propelled gliders. On the other hand, at night, there are restaurants, bars, theaters, cabaret shows, night clubs, bowling halls, billiard & snooker clubs, discos, sauna & massage parlors, not to cite its absolutely incredible shopping which is available non-stop both day-and-night.

Pattaya Facts

This exotic beach resort welcomes approximately 5 million visitors a year. The friendly and hospitable Thai nature boosts its promotion, frequently bringing back the repeat visitors and constantly increasing the number of newcomers.

Pattaya city is located on the eastern coast of the country at latitude 13 N and longitude 101 E in the area of Chon Buri province. It is 147 kilometers from Bangkok and lies parallel to Sukhumvit Road on its east and the coastline on its west. Pattaya occupies an area of 208.1 sq. km. that is divided into 53.44 sq. kilometers of land and 154.66 sq. kilometers of islands and sea. Its coastline is 15 kilometers long.

Pattaya has a plain on the coast with some high mountains to the south. The area on the east slopes down towards the sea on the west.

Administration

Pattaya City has been administered under a special autonomous system since 1978. It has a status comparable to that of a municipality and is administered separately by the mayor of Pattaya City, who is responsible for making policies, organizing public services, and supervising all employees of Pattaya City Administration.

Article Source: www.tourismthailand.org

Bangkok Province

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Bangkok was founded in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty. It is now the country's spiritual, cultural, diplomatic, commercial and educational hub. It covers an area of more than 1,500 square kilometres, and it is home to approximatlely ten million people or more than 10% of the country's population.

Over the last few decades, Thailand's capital city, Bangkok, has changed into a modern, exciting and sophisticated city. It offers to visitors not only the cosmopolitan amenities they would expect from other big cities, but also a unique treasure trove of cultural attractions. Thailand, in the heart of Southeast Asia, was never colonised and thus kept its unique culture and heritage intact. Bangkok offers visitors the opportunity to experience fascinating glimpse of Thailand's gentle culture amidst the bustle of a great and dynamic metropolis. This great city has had astounding success in combining the ancient and modern world.

For tourists, Bangkok has a feast of attractions to offer. The city is dotted with 400 glittering Buddhist temples of great beauty and fascination, magnificent palaces, classical dance extravaganzas, numerous shopping centres and traditional ways of life, especially along the "Venice of the East" timeless canals and the Chao Phraya River of the "River of Kings" winding through the city. It is worth taking a trip along its waters before exploring further into different canals to take a glimpse of old Bangkok.

Useful tourist information on Bangkok can be obtained from the official website of the Bangkok Tourism Division : www.bangkoktourist.com

Article Source: www.tourismthailand.org

Krabi Province

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Krabi at a glance

Located approximately 814 kilometers from Bangkok is Krabi Province, one of most attractive destinations in southern Thailand. Encompassing an area of 4,708 square kilometers, the western border of Krabi is the Andaman Sea, the northern borders are Surat Thani and Phang-nga Provinces, the southern borders are Trang Province and the Andaman Sea and the eastern borders are Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang Provinces. Krabi is an ideal getaway destination teeming with natural attractions including white sandy beaches, fascinating coral reefs, numerous large and small islands and verdant forests with caves and waterfalls.

Krabi's topography is mostly mountains and highlands separated by plains in some parts. Flowing through Krabi City to the Andaman Sea at Pak Nam Sub-district is Maenam Krabi which is 5 kilometers in length. In addition, there are several canals originating from the province's highest mountain range, Khao Phanom Bencha including Khlong Pakasai, Khlong Krabi Yai and Khlong Krabi Noi. Lush mangrove forests line the canals and the banks of Maenam Krabi particularly before it empties into the Andaman Sea. The provinces sandy soil conditions are suitable for growing various agricultural products, particularly rubber trees, palms, coconuts, cashew nuts and coffee.

Due to the influence of the tropical monsoon, there are only two seasons in Krabi; the hot season from January to April and the rainy season from May to December. Temperatures range between 17 °C and 37 °C.

Krabi is administratively divided into 8 Amphoes (Districts): Amphoe Mueang, Khao Phanom, Khlong Thom, Plai Phraya, Ko Lanta, Ao Luek, Lam Thap, and Nuea Khlong. The provinces jurisdiction covers not only in-land districts and sub-districts, but also extends to more than 130 large and small islands including the world famous Phi Phi Islands.

In addition, Krabi is the location of two world class beaches Ao Nang and Hat Rai Le which offer numerous diving trips, restaurants, shops etc. Additional attractions in the province are stunning limestone cliffs and rock formations which make it a heaven for rock climbers and a National Park located approximately 40 kilometers outside of town with lakes, caves and spectacular natural scenery.

History of Krabi

Some archeologists claim that Krabi City is one of the older settlements in the country as there is archaeological evidence indicating that this area had been home to homosapiens during the prehistoric times or between 25,000 - 35,000 B. C. The assumption has been strongly supported by the discovery of stone tools, ancient colored pictures, beads, pottery and skeletal remains in the provinces cliffs and caves.

In 1200 A.D., the area was known as Ban Thai Samo, one of 12 royal cities that had a monkey as the town symbol. During this period of time, Krabi was under the rule of the Kingdom of Ligor, a city better known today as Nakhon Si Thammarat.

During the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910), the community was known as Pakasai Sub-county and remained under the direct jurisdiction of Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

Around 1872, King Rama V elevated Pakasai Sub-county to Krabi Province with the provincial administration office situated at Krabi-yai Sub-county (currently, the office is located near the estuary at Pak Nam Sub-district) and in 1875, ordered the separation of Krabi Province from Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.

During the present reign, the corps of civil servants, merchants, and the people of Krabi and nearby provinces have collectively organized the construction of a royal residence at Laem Hang Nak Cape which is thirty kilometers west of Krabi Town on the Andaman coast to be presented to His Majesty the King.

Origin of the name Krabi

There are two legends concerning the origin of the name "Krabi". The first is that villagers presented a large ancient sword (or krabi) that was discovered by chance to the governor. Later when a smaller, on discovering a smaller one, it was also presented to the governor. Regarded as sacred and auspicious, the governor decided to keep them in the province. As the process for the establishment of the province was still in progress, the swords were placed crossing each other in Khao Khanap Nam cave. Since then, the crossed swords have remained a part of the provincial seal.

The second legend is that "Krabi" was derived from the name of a local tree known as "Lumphi". The Malay and Chinese merchants mispronunciation of the name to "Ka-lu-bi" or "Kho-lo-bi" finally resulted in "Krabi" (or sword).

Article Source: www.tourismthailand.org

Ayutthaya Province

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The Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya or Ayutthaya in short, is one of Thailand's historical and majestic highlights. Serving as the Thai capital for 417 years (1350 1767: Kingdom of Ayutthaya), it was once glorified as one of the biggest cities in Southeast Asia. During the 17th century, most foreign visitors to Ayutthaya, traders or diplomats alike, claimed Ayutthaya to be the most illustrious and glittering city that they had ever visited. The map of Ayutthaya published in 1691 by Simon de la Loubere in Du Royaume De Siam is proof of such recognition.

The Kingdom of Ayutthaya reached its apex in terms of sovereignty, military might, wealth, culture, and international commerce in the 16th century when the Kingdoms territory was extended far beyond present-day Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Ayutthaya even had diplomatic relations with Louis XIV of France and was courted by Dutch, Portuguese, English, Chinese and Japanese merchants.
Visitors can explore and appreciate Thai history in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, which is situated only 86 kilometers north of Bangkok. Visitors to Ayutthaya can marvel at its grandeur reflected through numerous magnificent structures and ruins concentrated in and around the city island surrounded by Maenam Chao Phraya, Maenam Pa Sak and Maenam Lopburi.

More importantly,Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, an extensive historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya city, has been included in UNESCO's World Heritage list since 13 December, 1991.

The Past

The Kingdom of Ayutthaya was built and developed in leaps and bounds. The ruins in Ayutthaya that survived the test of time embody both the glorious and ignominious stories of the Kingdom.

This ancient capital of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, founded in 1350 by King U-Thong, had thirty three kings of different dynasties and reached its peak in the middle of the18th century. A magnificent city with three palaces and over 400 magnificent temples on an island threaded by canals Ayutthaya was truly an impressive city that attracted both Europeans and Asians. After a 15-month siege the Kingdom of Ayutthaya was conquered and completely destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. When King Taksin the Great finally liberated the Kingdom, a new dynasty was established and the capital was moved to Thonburi.

The seal of Ayutthaya depicts a conch on a pedestal tray placed in a small castle under a Mun tree. According to legend, King U-Thong, founder of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, discovered a beautiful conch buried in the ground being prepared for the establishment of the seat of his Kingdom. Consequently, he had a tiny castle built to house the shell. Hence, the provincial seal.

The Present

Today, there are but groups of crumbling ruins and rows of headless Buddhas where once an empire thrived. The temple compounds are still awe-inspiring even in disrepair and a visit here is memorable and a good beginning for those drawn to the relics of history.

The architecture of Ayutthaya is a fascinating mix of Khmer (ancient Cambodian style) and early Sukhothai style. Some cactus-shaped obelisks, called prangs, denote Khmer influence and look something like the famous towers of Angkor Wat. The more pointed stupas are ascribed to the Sukhothai influence. For new arrivals who had limited their visit to Bangkok, similarities may be noted with the riverside Wat Arun, an 18th-century structure that was built in the so-called Ayutthaya style, a melding of Sukhothai Buddhist influences and Hindu-inspired Khmer motifs.

Ayutthaya is administratively divided into 16 districts: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ban Phraek, Bang Ban, Bang Pahan, Bang Pa-in, Amphoe Bang Sai, Bang Sai, Lat Bua Luang, Maha Rat, Nakhon Luang, Phachi, Phak-Hai, Sena, Tha Rua, Uthai and Wang Noi.

Article Source: www.tourismthailand.org

Phuket Province

2007-08-04T13:13:00.001+07:00

Located approximately 862 kilometers south of Bangkok is Phuket, Thailand's largest island, which is often dubbed as the pearl of the Andaman, or the pearl of the south. Its natural resources- rocky peninsular, limestone cliffs, white powdery beaches, tranquil broad bays and tropical in-land forests contribute to making it the South's wealthiest, busiest, most visited and most popular island and province.

Nestled in the tropical zone off the west coast of the southern part of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean, the province covers an area of approximately 543 square kilometers (excluding small islets). It is estimated that Phuket Province covers an area of approximately 590 square kilometers if its 39 other small islands are included. The islands total length, from north to south, is estimated at 48.7 kilometers and approximately 21.3 kilometers wide.

Phuket borders on Phang-nga Province to the north. The other 3 sides are encircled by the Andaman Sea the place where many of the best diving sites are located. The island is connected to Phang-nga Province by Sarasin Bridge and Thep Krasattri Bridge.

Staying on the island is easy, as there are only two seasons in a year - the rainy season (May to October) and the hot season (November to April). The low season of phuket is between September and October as they are the wettest months. The best period for a visit, is from November to February, when it is possible to see the clear blue sky, feel the fresh sea breeze and marvel at the crystal clear water while lying on powdery, palm-fringed beaches. Average temperatures ranges between 23°C and 33°C.

Phuket's topology is exceptional with 70 percent of its area covered with mountains which stretch from north to south and the remaining 30 percent being plains located in the central and eastern parts of the island. The island does not have any major rivers except for a total of 9 brooks and creeks.

Phuket is divided into 3 administrative counties namely Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Thalang and Amphoe Kathu.

Phuket has a lot more to offer its visitors other than its natural heritage sea, sand, sky, beach, forest, and world renowned diving sites. Sino-Portuguese architecture casts its spell delighting travelers to the city, while Phuket-style hospitality has never failed to impress visitors from all walks of life. In addition, accommodations ranging from world-class resorts to tropical-style bungalows have warmly catered to the different needs of travelers. For seafood lovers, there is a lot more to sample than just Phuket's famous lobster. Altogether, these characteristics have made Phuket a truly unique destination.

History of Phuket

Most geologists believe that the area known as Phuket today was once a cape that extended into the Andaman Sea. Geographical formations gradually changed the capes location, finally detaching it from the mainland.

A famous Greek philosopher, Claudius Ptolemy, was the first person who mentioned the cape in his book written in the year 157. The cape was locally referred to as Jung Ceylon, which was located between latitudes 6 N and 8 N (the present site of Phuket Island). Natives called the place Cha Lang, which evolved to Tha Lang the name of the main town to the north of the island.

As a perfect stopover sheltering traders from monsoons, Jung Ceylon welcomed merchants from India, Persia, Arabia, Burma, China and also Siam. During the 16th century, the island was also a popular trading port for tin with Portuguese, Dutch, English and French traders flocking to the island. This contributed to making the development of mining so unprecedented. Chinese businessmen and miners later migrated to Phuket and soon enjoyed thriving business wealth.

Apart from serving as a meeting point for traders from Europe, Central Asia and China, Phuket also attracted ambitious immigrants, especially those from Portugal and China, to work in the tin mines. With its colorful history, visitors admire the Sino-Portuguese style architecture in the city especially those buildings located along the Thalang and Yaowarat Roads.

Thalang town was surrounded by Burmese troops who invaded the coastal area in 1785. It was under the leadership of Chan, the widow of the governor, and her sister, Muk, who united local residents and successfully fought and drove the invaders out of Phuket. It took over 30 days for the defending troops of Phuket, under the command of Chan and Muk, to claim their victory. As a result of such heroic deeds, noble titles were granted to Chan and Muk as Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthon respectively. To honor them, a monument was established at Tha Ruea Intersection, 12 kilometers to the north of Phuket City in 1966. They are still highly respected by Phuket residents even today.

However, 24 years later, the Burmese succeeded in seizing Thalang causing many local residents to flee to Phang-nga and Krabi. In 1825, some of them returned to re-establish a town and established a rice farming community. On the other hand, the area to the south of the island (Phuket City today) was developed and became a tin trading center.

When Phuket was elevated to a town in 1850, it attracted more immigrants from Thalang and nearby communities. In 1894, Phuket was promoted to be a Monthon administrative unit under the supervision of the central administrative body (located in Bangkok).

In 1902, Phraya Ratsada Korsimbi, a Sino-Thai businessman who contributed to developing the modern city of Phuket was appointed Governor of Phuket. He also helped to improve the welfare of local residents and set up the market system in the countryside. In 1916, Phuket became a province.

The tin mining industry has gradually failed to generate economic growth in Phuket, especially after 1985 when the price of tin fell by half. However, with its natural resources, Phuket later emerged as a tourist destination with great potential. This polished pearl of the Andaman is truly a destination that provides visitors with memorable experiences.

The islands long history has shaped the distinctive Phuket of the present with its diverse ethnic groups, culture, architectural influence, and fine cuisine. With approximately 35 percent of the population being comprised of Thai-Muslims, it is possible to see an equal number of Wats (Thai temples) located next to Mosques.

Article Source: www.tourismthailand.org

Nan Province

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A quiet and tranquil province, Nan nestles in a verdant valley in northern Thailand. About 668 kilometres from Bangkok, it covers an area of 11,472 square kilometres and is made up of the following districts: Mueang, Wiang Sa, Na Noi, Pua, Chiang Klang, Tha Wang Pha, Thung Chang, Mae Charim, Ban Luang, Na Mun, Santi Suk, Bo Kluea, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Song Khwae, and Phu Phiang.

The people of Nan descend from the Lan Changs (Laotians). Their forebears moved to settle around present-day Pua district which is rich in rock salt deposits, about 700 years ago at the time when Sukhothai was becoming the kingdom of the Thais. They subsequently moved south to the fertile Nan River basin which is much more extensive.

Nan's history is deeply involved with its neighbours, in particular Sukhothai which played an important role in both political and religious terms before Nan became a part of Lanna, Burma and Thailand in that order. Today Nan is still the home of numerous Thai Lue and other hilltribes who retain highly interesting customs and traditions.

Article Source: www.tourismthailand.org

Chiang Mai Province

2007-08-04T13:12:00.009+07:00

Chiang Mai (เชียงใหม่) is the hub of Northern Thailand. With a population of over 170,000, it is Thailand's fifth-largest city. Located on a plain at an elevation of 316 m, surrounded by mountains and lush countryside, it is much greener and quieter than the capital, and has a cosmopolitan air and a significant expat population, factors which have led many from Bangkok to settle permanently in this "Rose of the North".

Founded in 1296 AD, the culturally rich city of Chiang Mai is the longest continuously inhabited settlement from the ancient days of Siam. Located amidst the rolling foot hills of the Himalayan Mountains 700 km north of Bangkok, it could only be reached by an arduous river journey or an elephant back trip until the 1920s, isolation which has helped keep Chiang Mai's distinctive charm intact to this day.

Chiang Mai's historical centre is the walled city (chiang in Thai, hence Chiang Mai - "New Walled City"). Sections of the wall remain at the gates and corners, but of the rest only the moat remains.

Inside Chiang Mai's remaining city walls are more than 30 temples dating back to the founding of the principality, in a combination of Burmese, Sri Lankan and Lanna Thai styles, decorated with beautiful wood carvings, Naga staircases, leonine and angelic guardians, gilded umbrellas and pagodas laced with gold filigree. The most famous is Doi Suthep, which overlooks the city from a mountainside 13 km away.

Modern-day Chiang Mai has expanded in all directions, but particularly to the east towards the Ping River (Mae Nam Ping), where Thanon Chang Klan, the famous Night Bazaar and the bulk of Chiang Mai's hotels and guesthouses are located. The locals say you've not experienced Chiang Mai until you've seen the view from Doi Suthep, eaten a bowl of kao soi, and purchased an umbrella from Bo Sang.

Get in

By plane

Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) handles both domestic and regional international flights. The route from Bangkok is one of the busiest in the country (Thai Airways flies daily almost every hour, with additional flights in the peak tourist

Air Mandalay - from/to Myanmar
Bangkok Airways - to Ko Samui (flights from Ko Samui are indirect) and from/to Sukhothai; also Jinghong (China)
China Airlines - from/to Taipei, Taiwan
Hong Kong Express - from/to Hong Kong
Lao Aviation - from/to Laos
Nok Air - from/to Bangkok, Mae Hong Son & Udon Thani
One-Two-Go (part of Orient Thai Airlines ) from/to Bangkok
SGA - from/to Chiang Rai (once daily) and Pai (once daily)
Silk Air - from/to Singapore
Thai Airways - from/to Bangkok and Mae Hong Son; also Kunming (China); in addition, flights from and/or to Phuket & possibly Nan may also be available seasonally
Tiger Airways - from/to Singapore

International departure hall at Chiang Mai Airport

The airport is some 3 km south-west of the city centre, only 10-15 minutes away by car. Legal airport taxis charge a flat 140 baht for up to 5 passengers anywhere in the city; if you take a metered taxi, the fee will start from 40 baht + a 50 baht service fee from the Meter Taxi counter. The taxis operate from the exit at the north end of the terminal - after baggage claim and/or customs, walk into the reception hall and turn left. Alternatively, take bus #4 to the city center for 15 baht, or charter a tuk-tuk or songthaew for 50-60 baht. Most hotels and guesthouses offer cheap or free pick-up/drop-off services.

By bus

Buses to Chiang Mai leave from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Moh Chit). The cheapest, non-aircon, stop-everywhere government buses take around 12 hours; non-stop VIP 24-seaters manage the trip in 9 hours on a good day. Chiang Mai also has good bus connections to practically everywhere in the North, and major destinations/hubs in the North-East (Isaan); there's even a direct service to Pattaya and Rayong in the East.

By train

Various rapid, express and sleeper services leave from Bangkok's Hualamphong Train Station, taking 12-15 hours depending on the service selected. Sprinter trains are entirely second class air-con, have no sleeper berths, and are the only ones which cannot transport bicycles. Daytime trains are entirely second and third class, with no sleeper berths; the first "overnight" train of the day departs Chiang Mai at 2:50PM and arrives in Bangkok at 5:30AM.

The overnight trains - especially second class sleeper berths - are very popular, safe, comfortable and fun, and good value too - sleeper fares start at 531 baht for an upper berth in a 2nd class fan carriage. 2nd class lower berths are slightly more expensive than, but also slightly wider than, upper berths; air-con is of course a little more expensive than non-aircon. Those who wish to avoid sharing the relatively basic second class "bathroom" facilities can book a private first class two-berth cabin (the attendant cleans the first class bathrooms frequently).

Tickets can be purchased up to 60 days in advance; advance booking is advisable year-round, but especially between November and March - see SRT timetables and prices.

SRT charges 90 baht to transport a bicycle between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Get around

Chiang Mai now has a new large air conditioned bus service. You can see these nice air conditioned white buses all over the major city routes. There are also pedicabs called samlor; the 3-wheeled tuk-tuk; and the most popular, the songthaew.

By songthaew or seelor

A songthaew

The most common way to get around Chiang Mai is by songthaew, also known more locally as rod-daeng or "seelor". These are covered pick-up trucks with two benches in the back, and indeed songthaew means "two benches" in Thai. Seen everywhere, to board one just put your arm out and look at the driver, who will stop. Then tell the driver which street you want to go to, and if he is going that way, he will nod his head "yes"; if not, he will say "no" and go on. Don't worry - there will be another one right behind him. When the driver turns down the street you want, start looking for where you want to get off and press the switch located on the roof of the cab. The driver will pull over, let you out, and then you pay him. The fare should be 15 baht for regular trips around town. If you specify a hotel or establishment, the driver will think you want to hire him for a private trip, and the price will be much higher. Negotiate any price beforehand if you want to go to a specific address. The best way to avoid this "charter" situation is to discuss your destination and not the price; asking for a price is interpreted as asking for a charter. Then, when you arrive, hand the driver the correct change. If the driver demands more, then it is up to you to work out a fair payment, but armed with this information, you should have a reasonable idea of the proper fare, and that will aid you in your bargaining.

The colour of the songthaew indicates its general route or usage. Most common by far are red songthaews (hence the alternative rod daeng, "red car" name), which roam the main streets in the city itself. Warorot Market (by the Ping River) is the most common terminus for songthaews that travel along fixed routes. From Warorot Market, white songthaews travel to the eastern suburban city of Sankampaeng, yellow songthaews travel to Mae Rim in the north, blue songthaews travel to Sarapee and Lamphun in the south, and green songthaews travel to Mae Jo in the north-east. The flat rate cost along these fixed routes is 10-20 baht.

From Pratu Chiang Mai market, songthaews also travel to Hang Dong (20 baht) and San Patong, south-west of Chiang Mai.

You may see songthaews out on the highways in the countryside, travelling to and from small towns and villages. It is probably not proper for them to do this (as such travel is supposed to be done by bus companies), but in Thailand people will find a way to make some extra money.

By tuk-tuk or samlor

Tuk-tuks serve as Chiang Mai's taxis, going point to point for 30 baht and up depending on your skills. A few three-wheeled bicycles (samlor) still cruise the streets and will go your way for the same price, which is a great way to see the inner city temples. Try taking a samlor from Wat Prasing Temple to Wat Chedi Luang Temple in the early evening around sunset, or around the inner city at sunrise to see the monks walking around with their bowls collecting alms from the citizens.

By taxi

Chiang Mai has finally introduced Bangkok-style metered taxis. In early 2005 there were only 15 plying the streets (versus 2700 songthaews), but one year later there were over 45, with the number growing monthly. Rates are very reasonable at 30 baht for the first 2 km and 4 baht/km after that, however it's very hard to persuade the driver to use the meter. Dial +66 53-279291 for advance bookings, which are particularly useful when going to the airport (100 baht flat fare).

By bus

Chiang Mai's on-again, off-again local bus service began operation again in November 2005. There are currently 5 routes and fares are a flat 15 baht. Route 4, connecting to the airport, is probably the most useful. See Chiang Mai Bus for a route map.

By motorcycle

Chiang Mai has an abundance of motorcycle rental services, with choices aplenty. Typical Asian motorbikes can be rented, such as Honda and Yamaha 110cc and 125cc models (both step-through and automatic), but off-road bikes and larger street bikes can also be found quite easily. Renting a small bike starts at around 200 baht/day with insurance; larger machines can climb to 800 baht/day for a V-twin chopper or large sport-bike, also with insurance. Expect discounts when renting for several days. Passports are usually taken as a deposit, although some shops will accept a photocopy with a cash deposit of a few thousand baht. As with any other tourist town in Thailand (except possibly in Bangkok), a valid international permit (IDP) isn't required by the rental shop; however, if you find yourself stopped by the police for whatever reason, be prepared to discreetly pay a small "mai pen rai" fee of at least 200 baht.

By bicycle

Within the old city walls biking is still an easy option to get around. You can get everywhere in town within 10 minutes and it saves the hassle of negotiating with tuk-tuk drivers all the time. Bikes rentals are offered at every other street corner, and for a simple bike start from 30 baht/day. You can pick up quality bikes for a comforatble ride at "Crank Tavern" near Chiang Mai Gate. They run well-organised tours in the mountains around Chiang Mai as well. See for a detailed map.

See

Museums

The Chiang Mai City Arts and Culture Center
building

Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center

This fully modernised multimedia history and cultural education centre is located 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. The exhibits consist of a smart visual mix of video, scale models, enlarged photos, wall murals and text in Thai and English. The museum is open 8:30AM-5PM except Mondays. Admission is 90 baht. +66 53-217793

Hilltribe Research Institute Museum

Founded in 1965 as a result of a proposal by the noted anthropologist Prof. W.R. Geddes, who was doing research with the hilltribe peoples at the time, the Institute Museum offers exhibits concerning the lives and cultures of nine hilltribe peoples in Thailand: the Akha, Lahu, Lisu, Yao, Hmong, Karen, Lua, Khamu, and H'tin. Also included are a non-hilltribe ethnic minority, the Mlabri, associated by some with the 'spirit of the yellow leaves'. The Mlabri population has dwindled to only approximately 180 individuals at present.

The daily lives of the various hilltribe peoples are illustrated through exhibits of photographs, agricultural implements, household utensils, artefacts associated with the various traditional religions, musical instruments, and ethnic costumes. Some exhibits include models dressed in complete traditional costumes depicting daily activities, such as a Hmong family having a meal or a Lisu man serenading his sweetheart.

The Institute has established a new museum in a three-story pavilion located on the attractively landscaped grounds of Ratchamangkala Park (Suan Lor Gao) on Chotana Road, just a fifteen minute drive from the city centre. At present the museum is open weekdays 9AM-4PM, with a slide and video show available daily 10AM-2PM. Special group tours at weekends are possible with advance notice. For more information contact the Hilltribe Institute Museum, Chotana Road +66 53-210872 / +66 53-211933

Chiang Mai Numismatic Museum (Treasury Hall), 52 Ratchadamnoen Road, tel: 053-22 4237/8. M-Sa 9AM-3:30PM.

Chiang Mai University Art Museum, corner of Suthep and Nimmanhaemin Roads, tel: 053-944833. Tue-Sun 9AM-5PM (free).

Museum of World Insects and Narural Wonders, Srimankalajarn Road, Soi 13 (midway between Suithep and Huay Kaew roads near Suan Dok Hospital); tel: 053-211891. One of Asia's most unusual museums housing butterflies, beetles and beyond. Daily 9AM-5PM (200 baht).

Postal Museum, at Mae Ping Post Office, (1-2 km south of Wat Phra Singh). Tu-Sa 08:30-16:30 (free).

Art Galleries and Exhibitions There are many art galleries and exhibitions in Chiang Mai, featuring contemporary artwork of both local Thai and Myanmar artists.

CMU Art Museum & Alliance Francaise

Temples

Buddhist temples in Chiang Mai show off a mixture of architectural styles that reflect the varied heritage of Northern Thailand. Elements from Lanna Thai, Burmese, Sri Lankan and Mon temples have all been used in one form or another. Intricate woodcarvings and protective Naga serpent staircases add a flamboyance that reflects an awesome reverence for the Buddhist religion. Gilded umbrellas, guardian figures from the tales of the Ramayana and stupas trimmed with gold filigree combine to heighten the overall effect.

To date, there have been some 300 temples constructed in Chiang Mai and its outskirts. Visitors should take the time to visit the most revered temples in the city, built during the noble Lanna Thai dynasty. The largest ones draw crowds, but it's well worth wandering off the beaten path and finding a temple not on the tour bus circuit.

The Thai patrons of Chiang Mai's temples are pleased to see that visitors take an interest in the images and traditions of Lord Buddha's teachings. All that they ask is that temple visitors show respect by wearing appropriate attire (long pants for men, modest tops and skirts for women, no bare shoulders and women must wear a brassier) so that monks and worshippers will not be offended within the sacred temple grounds.

Courtyard of Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Established in 1383, this magnificent temple overlooks the city from its 1,073m elevation on the slopes of Doi (Mount) Suthep, which peaks at 1,685m. It is famous for its large gold-plated chedi, visible from the city on a good clear day. Although Wat Doi Suthep is the most recently built of the temples dating from the Lanna Thai period, it is the symbol of Chiang Mai. The site was selected by sending an elephant to roam at will up the mountainside. When it reached this spot, it trumpeted, circled three times, and knelt down - which was interpreted as a sign indicating an auspicious site. Entrance to the temple is free for those who wish to climb the 300-plus steps; alternatively, there's a cable car with a 50 baht fare for foreigners. Clearly marked songthaews to Doi Suthep leave from Pratu Chang Phuak, passing Chiang Mai University and the zoo on the way. Prices are fixed at 40 baht up and 30 baht down; the drivers wait until they have sufficient (up to 8) passengers before they depart. The trip takes about 30 minutes one way. Alternatively, the 18km journey from town can be made by motorcycle or a bicycle with appropriate gearing. The final 12km from the zoo onwards is entirely uphill and will take 60-90 minutes if cycling.

Wat Phra Singh, in the centre of the city at the intersection of Singharaj and Rajdamnern Road (west end) and is probably Chiang Mai's best-known temple, housing the Phra Singh image, completed between 1385 and 1400. Of particular note historically is Wihaan Lai Kham in the back, featuring Lanna-style temple murals and intricate gold patterns on red lacquer behind the altar. The large chedi was built in 1345 by King Pha Yu to house the remains of his father King Kam Fu. A typical scripture repository is located at this temple as well. These repositories were designed to keep and protect the delicate sa or mulberry paper sheets used by monks and scribes to keep records and write down folklore. The high stucco-covered stone base of the repository protected the delicate scriptures from the rain, floods and pests. The walls of the chapel are covered with murals illustrating Lanna customs, dress, and scenes from daily life. The lovely Lai Kam chapel houses the revered Phra Singh Buddha image. Sadly, the head was stolen in 1922, and a reproduction is now seen.

Wat Chiang Mun, Rajpakinai Road. The oldest temple in the city. Presumed to date from the year Chiang Mai was founded (1296), it is famed for two Buddha images, which according to legend are 1800 and 2500 years old. King Mengrai allegedly lived here while the city of Chiang Mai was being constructed. Enshrined in Wat Chiang Mun is a tiny crystal Buddha called Pra Seh-Taang Kamaneeee, which is thought to have the power to bring rain. Another image, called Phra Sila Khoa, reflects the fine workmanship of Indian craftsmen from thousands of years ago.

Wat Chedi Luang, Prapokklao Road. Located directly in Chiang Mai centre, this is the site of a formerly massive pagoda that was unfortunately destroyed in the great earthquake of 1545. The temple was originally constructed in 1401 on the orders of King Saeng Muang Ma. In 1454, reigning King Tilo-Garaj enlarged the chedi (pronounced jedee) to a height of 86 meters. After the earthquake, the chedi lay in ruins until 1991-92, during which time it was reconstructed at a cost of several million baht. A magnificent testament to Lanna (northern Thai) architecture and art, it is now every bit as impressive as it was when it was first built, and one of Chiang Mai's top tourist attractions. Wat Chedi Luang is also home to the "Pillar of the City", a totem used in ancient Thai fertility rites.

Wat Phra Jao Mengrai, off Ratchamankha Road (near Heuan Phen). An atmospheric wooden temple away from the beaten track, quiet and gently crumbling in the absence of tourist hordes.

Wat Oo-Mong, off Suthep Road. An ancient temple in the forest just outside Chiang Mai. King Mengrai built this temple for a highly respected forest monk who liked to wander in the countryside, hence the isolated location where the monk could stay quietly and meditate. It is unusual in that it has tunnel-like chambers in the ground, some of the walls of which still have the original paintings of birds and animals visible.

Elephants

Elephant Nature Park, Approximately 60km north of Chiang Mai. This is a sanctuary for rescued and distressed elephants. They are not here to perform or do tricks but people visiting here will leave with a whole new understanding of these magnificent creatures.

Maesa Elephant Camp, 119/9 Tapae Road, Muang District, +66 53-206247 or +66 53-206248, An elephant camp in the hills about a half hour's drive north of the city center. It has an elephant show, which includes elephants playing football and painting. You can also take half hour or one hour elephant rides. Not exactly a place to bring a PETA activist, but many do enjoy the performances.

Other

Bhuping Palace is located on the same road beyond Doi Suthep (22 km from town). This royal winter palace has lavishly landscaped gardens and is open to the public daily 08:30-11:30 & 13:00-15:00 when the Thai royal family is not in residence. 50 baht for foreigners, 20 baht for locals, 10 baht for children.

Chiangmai Zoo, at the foot of Doi Suthep, Home to over 7,000 animals in a wooded natural environment. Its popularity was boosted recently when it received a pair of Giant Pandas from Sichuan, China.

Simon Cabaret (closed as of July 2007)

caves
hot springs
night safari
orchid and butterfly farms
puppet shows
waterfalls

In town

As usual in Thai cities, massage establishments abound, both for treatments and for learning the art yourself. Cooking schools are also popular - see the Learn section.

Cinema:

Chiang Mai Vista Cinema (Kad Suan Kaew)

Major Cineplex (Airport Plaza)

Massage:

Let's Relax, 2F Chiang Mai Pavilion and B1F Chiang Inn Plaza, Chang Khlan Road. Does professional massage in very clean if not downright sterile surroundings complete with air-con, the sound of running water and gentle scents. A 45-minute foot reflexology session costs 350 baht, nearly twice the price of the competition, but is worth every satang after a long trek.

Nantana Massage Shop, (near Sompet Market on Soi 6). Has very knowledgeable and friendly staff, and air-con. Thai massage 150 baht/hour; oil, foot, and neck/shoulder massage also available.

Muay Thai (Thai boxing, the national sport of Thailand):

Kawila Boxing Stadium not far from Narawat Bridge, has real Muay Thai fights every Friday at 20:00 with 10 bouts ranging from young debutant fighters, local champions, and locals vs foreigners. Entry is 400 baht (as of March 2006).

Lanna Muay Thai on Soi Chiang Khian, off Huay Kaew Road . Muay Thai coaching.

Outdoors

A very popular pastime is walking and/or cycling around the city walls and exploring the old city, and Chiang Mai is a very popular place for arranging hill trekking too. There are also opportunities to try your hand at elephant riding, horse riding, and even ballooning and flying. Other possibilities include:

Bicycle tours or exploration either on your own, renting a bike, or joining a well organized bicycle / mountain-biking tour is a great way to see the North and the country side. Crank Adventures has fantastic off the beaten track single day and multi-day mountain bike adventures. Northern-Trails is a reputable tour operator offering many programs, from day trips to multi-day circuits.

Motorcycle touring is a great way to explore Northern Thailand - the GT-Rider website has a wealth of information, including routes and maps for both short and long rides. One route out of Chiang Mai not mentioned is a day trip up and over Doi Suthep, which will take riders up to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, and beyond the mountain to the reservoir.

Scooter touring is another great way to explore the region going out as far as Mae Hong Son and suitable for the less experienced motorcyclist. Motorbike Thailand offers great tours using Honda 125cc scooters riding into some of the more remote regions and also offer rider training on route.

Game Fishing,

golf - see: Golf in Thailand | Northern region section

Karting, bungy jumping, off road buggies, and paintball.

Rafting down the Maetang river is offered by several companies and can often be combined with elephant riding or mountain biking (The Peak is one of the better companies, and also offers many other interesting trips). During the dry season (Jan-Feb) water levels are relatively low with only grade 2-3 rapids, but during the rainy season (Jun-Oct) higher water levels make for a more exciting grade 4-5 trip.

Festivals & exhibitions

Chiang Mai Flower Festival is staged every year during the first weekend in February. The city is awash with vibrant colors ranging from the electric orange and lilac colors of the bougainvillea to the velvety blossoms of petunias in all shades of pink, white and purple. The strident red of the poinsettias, bought by many at Christmas and New Year, is echoed by beds of scarlet salvias. Homes and shop owners alike line the city streets with colourful flower boxes. The sheer profusion of colour that the flower festival and carnival brings to Chiang Mai aptly gives the city its name "Rose of the North". On all three days of the festival, prize blooms are on display at Suan Buak Haad near the city centre. Every type of flower, miniature tree and orchid is put on display for the judges to choose the best of the species. Landscape specialists put on an elaborate display, which includes patios and waterfalls with exotic decorative plants and flowers. The best part of the flower festival is on Saturday. The parade lines up from the train station to Narawatt bridge so the police close most of Jarenmuang Road around 8AM. The VIP viewing stand is right next to the bridge in front of the Chiang Mai Governor's home. The parade route goes down Thapae Road to the Gate and turns left and follows the moat to Suan Buak Haad City Park. The parade moves at a slow pace and stops several times so there is plenty of time to take pictures of the colourful floats, pretty girls and hilltribe people in costume. The people in the parade hand out roses to spectators lining the road. When the parade finishes everyone heads to Suan Buak Haad where all the floats, award winning flower growers and landscape projects are all on display. There are plenty of food stalls in the park, and in the late afternoon the Miss Chiang Mai Flower festival starts. The party goes well into the evening until the new Flower Festival Queen has been chosen. This is a great time to visit Chiang Mai, as the air is cool and the evenings fresh and clear. If you want to see the festival make sure you book your hotels and flights well in advance.

Loi Krathong Festival If you like candles placed in colourful paper lanterns, fireworks, beautiful girls in traditional dress, parade floats, lots of food, and parties, don't miss the Loi Krathong festival, which in Chiang Mai lasts for 3 full days, the last night being that of the 12th full moon of the year (which is usually in November). In the small town of Mae Jo, north of Chiang Mai, they start the festival on Saturday night by simultaneously launching thousands upon thousands of hot air balloons called "Khom Loy".

Bo Sang Umbrella & Sankampang Handicrafts Festival Takes place 20th-22nd January at Ban Bo Sang, Sankampang. The festival is in the form of a "street fair" in which the central road of the village is used, with stores on both sides. Stores are decorated in Lanna style, most with the well-known umbrellas, as well as with traditional lanterns. In addition there are contests, exhibitions, cultural performances, local entertainment, and assorted shows day and night. There is a grand procession decorated with umbrellas and local products, a variety of handicrafts for sale, northern-style kantoke meals, and the Miss Bo Sang pageant.

The 2nd Orchid Fair (January) is the biggest orchid fair of the year, with an orchid market, activities and more.

Royal Flora Exposition, A magnificent showcase of 50,000 orchid plants representing nearly 10,000 orchid species, plus much more.

Learn

Academic institutions

A large area of land in the northwest is home to Chiang Mai University one of Thailand's most prestigious institutions of higher education with around 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Its main campus is situated at the base of Doi Suthep, and CMU buildings can be seen all the way up to Suandok Gate at the west end of the city's center. Other institutions of higher education, include:

Chiang Mai College of Dramatic Arts
Chiang Mai Commercial College
Chiang Mai Rajabhat University
Chiang Mai Technical College
Mae Jo University
Payap University
The Far East University

Chiang Mai is also unusual in its high concentration of international schools that cater to both local and foreign students living in the city looking for kindergarten, elementary, and secondary education. Many schools are American-run and several are funded by Christian missionary organisations. Some of the more prominent schools include:

Chiang Mai International School Grace International School Lanna International School Prem Tinsulanonda International School

American Pacific International School (formerly Ake Panya International School)

Chiang Mai International School

Grace International School

Lanna International School

Prem Tinsulanonda International School

Buddhism

Wat Chom Tong, Tambon Ban Luang, Amphoe Chom Tong (about 60km south-west of the city) +66 53-826869 / +66 53-826180. the home temple of the meditation master Achan Tong, and offers residential courses in Vipassana Meditation on an on-going basis.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep offers short and long courses in Buddhist meditation.

Wat Ram Poeng, Tambon Suthep, Amphoe Muang (4 miles south-west of the city) +66 53-278620. Offers facilities for retreats and meditation instruction.

Wat Suan Dok Th Suthep, Chiang Mai (1/2 a mile west of the Old City Moat), +66 53-278967. Has a meet and greet for tourists and monks, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon between 15:00 and 17:00 hrs. Also, you can sign up for a 24-hrs introduction meditation retreat.

Wat Umong, Tambon Suthep, Amphoe Muang (3 and a half miles out of town) +66 53-277248 (08:30-16:00), Offers meditation courses and Dharma instruction in English every Sunday 15:00-18:00.

Shamanism

,LifeEvents.org Center for Shamanic Studies +66 53-809082 / +66 86-1966264, the center of Russian clairvoyant healer and Mongolian initiated shaman, Diana Manilova, offers shamanic initiations, karma cleaning workshops and spiritual consultations for groups and individuals at least 25 years old.

Thai cooking

A Lot Of Thai Cooking School, +66 53-800724,A family run home cooking class. Teach by the owner for every class. Welcome for vegetarian and any kind of food restriction. Courses included Market tour and provides a recipe book from which you can cook by yourself at a later date.

Baan Thai Cookery School, 11 Ratchadamnoen Road, Soi 5, near Thapae Gate, +66 53-357339 / +66-16714120, Courses include a cook book and market tour. Have full day or evening classes

Chiang Mai Kitchen Cooking School +66-97002099, Just 20 minutes from downtown Chiang Mai, and offers a fresh approach to Thai cooking instruction. The organic herb and vegetable garden supplements ingredients are purchased at the morning market. Before and/or after your day in the kitchen, stay overnight in their charming, traditional Thai bamboo house.

Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School, at 1-3 Moon Muang Road, +66 53-206388 (fax: +66 53-206387), Offers 1/2/3/4/5-day courses. Recommended by Lonely Planet, Let's Go, Rough Guide, Frommer's and Stefan Loose guide books.

Gap's School Of Thai Culinary Art Has its office at Gap's House, 3 Rajadamnern Soi 4 +66 53-270143, . High standards, proper organisation, your own stove, 1 teacher per 5 students.

Kao Hom Cooking School, +66 53-862967

Siam Rice Thai Cookery School, +66 53-329091, Friendly and knowledgeable staff provides an extensive course on local and traditional recipes. The course includes a market tour and provides you with the recipes that the dishes that you create.

Smart Cook Thai Cookery School, 21 Moonmuang Road, Soi 5, +66 53-418309. Market tour, cook book. Accommodates vegetarian cooking. Small classes and fun staff. Highly recommended.

Sompet Cookery School, 56 Patan Road, +66 53-214897. Learn to cook the way Thai people do - at home. Visit their riverside home and learn to cook traditional Thai food. They have courses every day, morning and afternoon. A recipe book with colour photographs will be provided of each dish to suggest the many ways to prepare and serve Thai food.

Carving lessons, +66 53-285056. Learn how to carve on fruit and vegetable, with pictures and notes to take away and refer to later at home.

Thai language

Easy Study Thai

Language Institute CMU

Payap University

YMCA

Buy

Chiang Mai has great shopping and an internationally renowned night bazaar. There are two very large shopping malls at Airport Plaza and Central Kad Suan Keaw, both with the shops found in large cities in most countries. There are also streets with vendor booths that line the streets after dark, selling all types of merchandise including antiques, silks, silver, art, electronics, and knock-off and copycat merchandise, such as watches, handbags, and designer label clothing, all at very negotiable prices.

Night Bazaar is a huge market covering a long outdoor stretch of Chang Khlan Road between Tha Phae Road and Si Donchai Road, with the centre of the maelstrom in the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar Building, three stories of shopping under a Thai temple-style roof. It's not just a place to shop, but possibly Chiang Mai's largest tourist attraction, with products from Northern Thailand and neighboring countries, especially those associated with Thailand's hill tribes - but take all claims with a grain of salt and bargain hard for good prices.

Sunday Market starts around 14:00 and lasts until 22:00, (during the rainy season it doesn't start until 17:00 hrs) with local craftpersons operating stalls along Rajdumnern Road on the inner-east side of the moat near Tapae Gate. The street is blocked off from traffic so there is plenty of room to walk. Unlike the sellers on Chang Khlan Road, who peddle many fake designer goods, excellent hand made items are displayed and sold. At the 5 temples on this road you can enjoy real Northern Thai food and snacks.

Saturday Market on Wualai Road (the street that shoots off at an angle just outside the Chiang Mai gate on the south side of the old city) officially starts at 17:00, although the road will be closed to cars from about 14:00 onwards; it's pretty much over by 23:00. It's the old silver working district, and some shops stay open late on this day. Like the better-known Sunday Market, there's lots of food and local crafts.

Warorot Market (กาดหลวง Kad Luang) - north of Nawarat Bridge and west of the Ping River between Thapae Roads and Chang Moi Road. This sprawling outdoor market is where the locals shop, and is well worth a visit for those who enjoy shopping for fabrics, clothes, herbs and spices and hard to find items. It also includes a beautiful flower market and fruit, and out-of-this-world fireworks stands.

Neramit Tailor - small shop at the corner of Ratchawong Rd. and Nakornping Bridge , makes excellent suites to fair prices. The owner is very nice and understands his job very well. If you want tailor made cloth skip all the shark shops in Bangkok and come here.He even organzies the transport by mail back home to you. Check: http://neramit-custom-tailoring.com

Buddhism

Wat Chom Tong, Tambon Ban Luang, Amphoe Chom Tong (about 60km south-west of the city) +66 53-826869 / +66 53-826180. the home temple of the meditation master Achan Tong, and offers residential courses in Vipassana Meditation on an on-going basis.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep offers short and long courses in Buddhist meditation.

Wat Ram Poeng, Tambon Suthep, Amphoe Muang (4 miles south-west of the city) +66 53-278620, Offers facilities for retreats and meditation instruction.

Wat Suan Dok Th Suthep, Chiang Mai (1/2 a mile west of the Old City Moat), +66 53-278967. Has a meet and greet for tourists and monks, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon between 15:00 and 17:00 hrs. Also, you can sign up for a 24-hrs introduction meditation retreat.

Wat Umong, Tambon Suthep, Amphoe Muang (3 and a half miles out of town) +66 53-277248 (08:30-16:00), Offers meditation courses and Dharma instruction in English every Sunday 15:00-18:00.

Shamanism

LifeEvents.org Center for Shamanic Studies, +66 53-809082 / +66 86-1966264, the center of Russian clairvoyant healer and Mongolian initiated shaman, Diana Manilova, offers shamanic initiations, karma cleaning workshops and spiritual consultations for groups and individuals at least 25 years old.

Thai cooking

A Lot Of Thai Cooking School, +66 53-800724, A family run home cooking class. Teach by the owner for every class. Welcome for vegetarian and any kind of food restriction. Courses included Market tour and provides a recipe book from which you can cook by yourself at a later date.

Baan Thai Cookery School, 11 Ratchadamnoen Road, Soi 5, near Thapae Gate, +66 53-357339 / +66-16714120, Courses include a cook book and market tour. Have full day or evening classes

Chiang Mai Kitchen Cooking School +66-97002099, Just 20 minutes from downtown Chiang Mai, and offers a fresh approach to Thai cooking instruction. The organic herb and vegetable garden supplements ingredients are purchased at the morning market. Before and/or after your day in the kitchen, stay overnight in their charming, traditional Thai bamboo house.

Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School, at 1-3 Moon Muang Road, +66 53-206388 (fax: +66 53-206387), Offers 1/2/3/4/5-day courses. Recommended by Lonely Planet, Let's Go, Rough Guide, Frommer's and Stefan Loose guide books.

Gap's School Of Thai Culinary Art Has its office at Gap's House, 3 Rajadamnern Soi 4 +66 53-270143, High standards, proper organisation, your own stove, 1 teacher per 5 students.

Kao Hom Cooking School, +66 53-862967

Siam Rice Thai Cookery School, +66 53-329091,Friendly and knowledgeable staff provides an extensive course on local and traditional recipes. The course includes a market tour and provides you with the recipes that the dishes that you create.

Smart Cook Thai Cookery School, 21 Moonmuang Road, Soi 5, +66 53-418309. Market tour, cook book. Accommodates vegetarian cooking. Small classes and fun staff. Highly recommended.

Sompet Cookery School, 56 Patan Road, +66 53-214897. Learn to cook the way Thai people do - at home. Visit their riverside home and learn to cook traditional Thai food. They have courses every day, morning and afternoon. A recipe book with colour photographs will be provided of each dish to suggest the many ways to prepare and serve Thai food.

Carving lessons, +66 53-285056. Learn how to carve on fruit and vegetable, with pictures and notes to take away and refer to later at home.

Thai language

AUA

Easy Study Thai

Language Institute CMU

Payap University

YMCA

Eat

Chiang Mai's restaurants offer a wide range of food, second only to Bangkok. Naturally it's a good place to sample northern Thai food: in particular, hunt down some khao soi, yellow wheat noodles in curry broth traditionally with chicken or beef, but available some places as vegetarian or with seafood. For those tired of eating rice or noodles there's also a wide range of excellent western food restaurant in Chiang Mai, from cheap hamburger stands to elaborate Italian eateries.

Chanchao's Chiang Mai Food Review is a good source of information on the fast-changing culinary scene, though it has not been updated for some time.

Budget

Thai:

Anusarn Market, Chang Khlan Road (same side of road as "Galare Food Centre" but much further up beyond Loi Kroh crossroad towards Sri Dornchai) is a busy outdoor night market with lots of little Thai restaurants and food vendors. Great atmosphere.

Brick Road Cafe, Ratchadamneon Road (about 200 metres after the 2nd crossroads on the main walking street from Thapae Gate to Wat Phra Singh). English-Thai run cafe with a relaxed atmosphere and extensive Thai menu, produced by experienced Thai chefs, plus a host of excellent low-priced Western options.

Galare Food Centre, Chang Khlan Road (opposite the Night Bazaar Building), has a large open-air food court, featuring free Thai classical dance performances nightly. All food is paid for with coupons; most mains 20-50 baht.

Kuaytiaw Reua Koliang, Moon Muang Road (near Ratchamankha Road; no English sign) serves authentic kuaytiow reua (literally "boat noodles", rice noodles in dark broth with beef). It's good stuff anyway at 25 baht a pop.

Ratana’s Kitchen, Tha Pae Road (near Tha Pae Gate), has a wide range of Thai dishes at low prices (30-60 baht for many) and a huge vegetarian selection.

Re-Feel Café, 48/4-5 Rachavithi Road offers great (cheap) Thai food, good atmosphere, friendly staff and free billiards.

Western:

Fish'N'chips Shop, Ratchawitee Road +66 53-418210. Fresh, crispy. The name says it all.

Mike's Hamburger Stand, on the corner of Chaiyapoom Road and Chang Moi Road (along the east side of the moat) and on Nimmanhaemin Road (across from Soi 1) are brightly-lit, "old-school" joints - just stools and a counter in an open shop. OK hamburgers for 60 baht, excellent onion rings. If you're tired of rice and noodles this is nice place to stop for lunch while walking around town, and an even better place to fill your stomach on the way home from the bars. Bacon, or ham and egg sandwiches on the breakfast menu. Open 09:00-15:00. The franchise now includes a shop in the Anusarn Market (see above) with others opening in Bangkok soon.

Woody's Fine Fast Food, 56 Chaiyapoom Road. Half-way between Thapae Gate and Spicy Pub, next to the 7/11. Serves Kebabs (Gyros), Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Falafel, Chips (Fries), Beer, Whisky, Wine and Soft Drinks. Tasty food, quality ingredients, cheap prices. Hygenic, friendly and attractive small diner and bar. Stays open after most other bars and restaurant have closed. Open 5pm to late.

Mid-range

On the east bank of the Ping River north of Nawarat Bridge is a cluster of restaurants that double up as nightlife spots - see the listings under Drink

Thai:

Huen Phen, 112 Ratchamankha Road, specialises in Northern Thai food, and is popular with Thais and foreigners alike. Lunch in the air-conditioned hall is decent enough, but dinner in the profusely decorated old house in the back is little short of magical. Best of all is the price: a bowl of khanom jiin naam ngiaw (Shan-style pork rib noodles), a plate of som tum (green papaya salad) and some sticky rice will still leave you change from 50 baht! Open daily 08:00-15:00 & 17:00-22:00.

Just Kao Soy - a reasonably priced restaurant with excellent kao soy and vegetarian curry broth.

Western:

Amazing Sandwich, 20/2 Huay Kaew Road (north-west corner of the moat, opposite the Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel; plus two other locations) [36] - choose from a million and one items on their list and they'll build a sandwich for you your way. The also serve breakfasts and have bagels. Open daily 08:00-20:00 (Sunday close 16:00).

Chiang Mai Kebab, 69/4 Kotchasarn Road +66-71881832 - chicken, beef kebab, salad, Pita bread, falafel, samosa, vegetarian. 17:00-midnight.

El Toro Restaurant & Pub, 5/2 Loi Kroh Road. New Mexico style Mexican food at its finest prepared by experienced cook. Free food 17:00-19:00 every Friday.

O'Malley's Irish Restaurant, Anusarn Market, 149-14/15 Changklan Road +66 53-271921 - international cuisine and Guinness on tap.

The Dukes +66 53-249231 is located 50 meters north of the Tourism Authority of Thailand office at 49/4-5 Chiang Mai - Lumpoon Road, south of the Narawat bridge on the east side of the Ping River. Excellent American style dishes and desserts - ribs, burgers, pizza, cheesecake, etc. Full bar with local and imported beers and wines. Great family atmosphere, no loud music or entertainment, just good food.

The Meeting Restaurant & Café, 6/1 Soi 1, Kotchasarn Road. Have a talk with the friendly managers. Closed Sundays.

Kosher:

Kosher Restaurant, 89/15 Changklan Road (100 m from Empress hotel).

Vegetarian:

Khun Churn, 120/2 Nimmanhemin Road, Soi 7 +66 53-224124 - Thai vegetarian. Open 09:30-14:30 & 17:30-22:00, closed the 16th of every month.

Splurge

Thai:

Baan Rom Mai Garden Restaurant, Changklan Plaza, 191/12 Changklan Road +66 53-820031 /2. Open daily 10:00-midnight.

Galae Garden Restaurant, at the end of Suthep Road +66 53-278655 / +66 53-811041 - Doi Suthep foothill location at edge of a sparkling reservoir. Thai & Northern Thai food and grilled specialties in delightful outdoors.

Khum Khantoke, in Chiang Mai Business Park +66 53-304121 - be entertained while you dine on traditional North Thailand Cuisine. Reservations are a good idea to get a good seat. Family style all you can eat 350 baht. Nightly 19:00-22:00.

Le Grand Lanna Garden Restaurant, 51/3 Sankampaeng Road +66 53-262569 is a must see for its architectural teak splendor. Open daily.

Old Chiang Mai Culture Center 185/3 Wualai Road +66 53-275097 - the first commercial Khantoke Dinner in Chiang Mai more than 30 years ago. They have the best Northern Thai food of any of the Kantoke establishments however the seating, show and music are not as good as at Khum Khantoke. Nightly 19:00-21:30.

Palaad Tawanron Garden Restaurant, on a reservoir. Thai and English food. Wat Fai Hin behind CHiang Mai University, Suthep Road +66 53-216576 / +66 53-216039.

Saenkham Terrace Garden Restaurant, Clubhouse Ban Naifan 2, 199/163 T. Maehea +66 53-838990 - open daily 11:00-22:00.

Western:

Alois Bavarian Restaurant, Soi 8, Phrapoklao Road +66 53-278515 - authentic Bavarian specialties - open Tue-Sun, 11:30-23:00.

Arcobaleno Italian Restaurant (in front of Watket Temple), ☎ ''+66 53''-306254, [37]. Open lunch & dinner.

Fillmore East Bar & Grill, Charernrasd Road +66 53-262416 - seating on two dining terraces facing Mae Ping river. Delicious USDA Beef, lamb, veal, chops, burgers. Excellent homemade deserts such as pecan, pumpkin and apple pie with large choice of toppings. The bar is separate from the riverside dining area so you can enjoy a romantic dinner in peace.

Piccola Roma Palace Italian Restaurant, at corner of Charoenprathet Road & Sri Donchai Road near Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel +66 53-820297 / +66 53-271256 - open lunch & dinner. An unforgettable dining experience amid beautiful surroundings. Serving residents over 15 years.

The House, 199 Moonmuang Road +66 53-419011 - old 1930's colonial style house in town center. Pacific rim & fusion food. Open 18:00.

The Mango Tree Café, 8/2-3 Loi Kroh Road +66 53-208292 - open 07:00-22:30. Top quality Thai & Western cuisine. Sunday Roast Lamb.

Vegetarian:

Whole Earth, 88 Sridonchai Road +66 53-282463 - open 11:00-21:00.

Drink

Chiang Mai's nightlife scene is the most happening in the North, although still a far cry from Bangkok's. There are discos, karaoke bars, and live music everywhere. The busiest nightlife zones are near Tapae Gate, Loi Kroh Road and along Charoenrat Road on the eastern bank of the Ping River.

Bars and pubs

Crank Tavern, Bottom of Ratchapakinai Road (Near Chiang Mai Gate) +66 899 654722 is a beautifully recycled wood furnished bar with free Internet, great tunes and friendly staff. Now with what are becoming known as the best pub meals in Chiang Mai its a great place to have a meal and spend a relaxing evening. Also home of Crank Adventures (see above) for excellent mountain bike tours and bike hire.

Elephant Café, Kotchasarn Road (near Thapae Gate) +66 857 233440 - nice clean friendly bar with pool room, large TV & friendly hostesses.

Half Moon Pub, Soi 2 Moonmuang (around the corner from Topnorth Guesthouse), +66 853 205023, Open 10am till late, late. Sports bar with many regulars and tourists. Darts & pool area, big TV, really nice international cuisine, especially the burgers but also good Thai & Indian dishes. Excellent (can be loud) music, friendly atmosphere and beautiful women.

Number One, Loi Kroh Road Soi 1 - friendly bar with free Internet and pool table. Plenty of talkative expats and pretty hostesses.

Tuskers, Chaiyaphum Soi 1, +66 871 804 665, - bar and restaurant with a touch of Thai style and international standards of service, free pool table and live sports.

There are also some bars with a different atmosphere:

Café Souvannaphoum, 20/1 Ratchamankha Road, (near Moon Muang) +66 53 903-781. A decent wine bar with comfortable seating and relaxing music, great escape from the busy street life, open M-Sa: 17:00 - 01:00.

The Pub 189 Huay Kaew Road (near Amiri Rincome Hotel) +66 53-211550, long established olde worlde English pub in the true tradition, has had a makeover and extended the bar and the restaurant but kept its charm. Great selection of food and drinks, including roast dinners on Sundays. Has an outside area where you can sit and enjoy the tranquility of a tropical garden, and has recently added bungalows for those wishing to linger longer.

BangRak, Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 6 - hangout spot for a primarily student crowd. Weekend nights are standing-room only and the clubbing atmosphere is complete; weekday nights are a little slower. Well air-conditioned, and no cover charge, but you'll be expected to purchase some drinks. Open 18:00-01:00.

Mo'C Mo'L, Huay Kaew Road - pub and restaurant near Chiang Mai University, there are many zone in the restaurant: coffee shop, dining outdoor near the small pond, dining indoor with live music.

Monkey Club, Nimminheimin Road Soi 9 +66 53-226997 -8 - another hot spot for the students, with a variety of live music. Open 17:00-01:00.

Warm Up Bar This chain bar / restuarnt / club has several venues in Thailand. The venue in Chang Mai is a lot less touristy and the dancehall packed to the brim of Thai students.

Live music

Most bands in Chiang Mai play for about an hour, and then move on to do the same at another restaurant or pub, so don't be surprised to see the same band twice if you switch venues.

La Brasserie, 37 Charoenrat Road +66 53-241665 - this riverside venue is not famous for its food, but the music is great, and there's a good selection of cocktails and spirits. Sit outside in the lush garden setting where acoustic guitar is played (19:00-midnight) or inside at the bar and catch the famous Took and Friends (23:00-02:00) who play old Hendrix, Dylan, Marley, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and other favorites.

Tha Chang Jazz Club, 25 Charoenrat Road (next to Gallery Restaurant) +66 53-248601 - good for a drink any day, but best visited on Saturdays for live jazz.

The Chiang Mai Riverside Restaurant, 9-11 Charoenrat Road +66 53-243239 Everyone who has been to Chiang Mai eats at least once here. There is a large menu of Thai and western food. If you want a good homemade hamburger, this is a good place to get one. The live music starts around 19:00 with dinner music from the Eagles, Beatles, or soft jazz. Starting at 21:00, the music changes to more rock and pop songs. Full bar service serving wine, beer, and spirits are available. The Chiang Mai Riverside restaurant gets very crowded, so get here early to get a table. The Riverside also offers a nightly dinner cruise departing at 20:00 for 70 baht/person extra.

The Garden Chiang Mai, 139, Ratchadamnoen Road, Well stocked bar, great food and a beautiful garden. The Chiang Mai Blues Club meets here to play at 20:30 on Wednesdays, and there's also live music on Sundays during the walking street market which is right outside the gates.

The Good View, 13 Charoenrat Road +66 53-241886, Thai and western varieties of rock, jazz, pop and country music entertain in the evening. Their extensive menu offers more than 150 Thai, Chinese, and western dishes, including curries, noodles, rice, and pizza. Soft drinks and a full bar serving wine, beer, and spirits are available. Again, if you want a good, riverside-view table get there early.

The North Gate, inside the city moat and east of Chang Puak Gate, The North Gate has easily become one of the most popular, regular destinations for Chiang Mai's young ex pat community. With nightly jazz performances starting around 9:30 PM with different performers and occasional guests from the audience, the North Gate offers something unique to the often repetitious Chiang Mai live music scene. In addition to nightly music performed by true lovers and technicians of jazz, the North Gate offers a variety of drinks not normally found within Chiang Mai- notably red and white wine, mojitos, and other mixed drinks. The staff is quick and efficient and prices are damn cheap!

Nightclubs

Bubbles - B1, Porn Ping Tower, 46 Charoen Prathet Road. Would be just another cheesy hotel disco if not for some good DJs and enthusiastic crowds; now it's a cheesy, packed and fun hotel disco on weekend nights. Cover charge 100 baht including one drink; open until 02:00.

Discovery - opposite Kad Suan Kaew shopping centre and Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel. Is a small club with live band, DJ and huge screens showing music videos, good for drinking nights and letting loose. Bring ID/passport as they can be strict with entry especially on weekend nights.

Spicy is a hectic after hours place with good drinks, dancing and lots of local good looking girls looking to party - be warned, they almost always ask for money.

Gay Bars

Chiang Mai is a popular destination for gay tourists and many Gay people have retired here. It has a vibrant Gay scene, highlights include:

Friendship Bar, Thapae Road Soi 1 (between the Peak Climbing wall and D2 Hotel). Small oudoor bar popular with Thai gays, ex pats and tourists alike. 50 baht up for small beer.

Glass Onion, Room 1 project, 61, Nimmanhaemin Rd., Telephone: 66(0)53218479. Sophisticated wine bar popular with gays, opposite "Warm Up"

Golden Ball (Bon Tong in Thai), Santitham Road (At Junction with Tewan Road), Chang Phuak Tel: 66(0)53406043, Northern Thai style outdoor bar and restaurant. Local prices: Drinks start from 45 baht for a large Chang beer. Packed with very friendly staff and fun atmosphere.

Sleep

Accommodation in Chiang Mai is generally cheap even by Thai standards. All types of lodging are available from inexpensive guest-houses with little or no service to the typical high rise hotels and elaborate garden resorts. The latest boom is Thai-style boutique resorts located near the old city center - several have been built since mid-2005, and offer excellent service in quiet garden settings; most are fairly small with as few as 8 rooms and a pool, and are decorated with Thai crafts and antiques.

Some of the cheapest accommodation may refuse guests who are not also booking a trekking package. Evenings in Chiang Mai are cooler than Bangkok and the south during the dry season, so air conditioning may be less of a priority

Budget

Backpacker House, ☎ +66 53-811700 or +66 81-9939911, Simple lodging near the airport and university. 6-bed dorms (en-suite and hot water) 170 baht/person; standard rooms from 560-720 baht including breakfast.

Baan Kwanta, Soi 8, Jedyord-Uyen Road, Changpheuk (1.2 km. from Chiang Mai University), ☎ +66 869-713-054 (info@kwantahome.com), A brand new apartment (en-suite with hot water) opened in Jan 2008. This place is suitable for quiet and non-smoking residents. From 500 baht per day or 2,600 - 3,200 baht per month.

Banilah Guesthouse, 11 Sotesueksa Road, Changpheuk (near Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Center), ☎ +66 5322 3683 (info@banilah.com, fax: +66 5321 5200), A very nice family run boutique guesthouse, which opened 2006. From 300 baht.

Ben Guesthouse, 4/4, 4/11 Chiangmai-Lamphun Rd, Soi 2 Muang , CHIANGMAI 50000, Very friendly staf 200 baht a room.

Eagle House, 16 Changmoi Gao Road, Soi 3, ☎ +66 53-874126 (fax: +66 53''-874366),

Golden Fern Guest House, 20 Soi 8 Thanon Phra Pokklao (southeast inner moat), ☎ +66 53-277665,

Green Tulip Guest House, 18 Samlan Road (near Wat Phrasing), ☎ +66 53-278367, Brand new guest house with a restaurant, roof top garden, Internet café and large screen TV in the lobby. Beautifully decorated and designed with elegant wood floors throughout the building. Choice of fan and air-con rooms with shared or private bathrooms. 250-650 baht.

Hollanda Montri Guesthouse, 365 Charoenrat Road (bit north on same road as The Riverside and Good View) +66 53-242450 - family style guesthouse with a tropical garden on the banks of the Mae Ping River, 10 minutes from the center of town by taxi. Fan/air-con rooms 500 baht.

Home Place Hotel, 9 Soi 6 Tapae Road. +66 53-276468 offers double-bed rooms and twin-bed rooms with fan or air-con (250-450 baht). All rooms have hot shower and cable television. It's very clean and staff is quite friendly.

Julie Guesthouse, 7/1 Prapokklao Road Soi 5, +66 53-274355 - familiar and chilly Guesthouse located in a quiet part of the Old City 5 minutes from Tha Phae Gate. Fan rooms with or without bathroom (100-300 baht), restaurant (Thai and Western Food) and Adventure-Tour specialized travel agency.

Marlboro/Joe Guest House, 138 Sithiwongse Road +66 53-2325989 - clean and cheap guest house, more like a small family run hotel that really makes you feel at home.

Pachkit House, 8/1 Arak Road Soi 7 - Clean family-run guesthouse/apartment in the Old City. 15 minutes walk to Chiang Mai Ram Hospital and Central Kad Suan Kaew Department Store. Bathroom in every room with hot/cold shower; each room has fridge, TV with cable and free 1024 Kbps ADSL hook-up. There are also a few computers for free Internet use in the café next to reception. Rates from 650-850 baht/day with daily cleaning and sheet change, monthly rental rate also available (starting at 4500 baht). Can be quite noisy, especially in the mornings, due to a large number of barking dogs in the neighborhood.

Rendezvous Guesthouse & Café, 3/1 Ratchadamnoen Road Soi 5 +66 53-213763 or +66 53-419009 email="rendezvousgh@hotmail.com" fax+66 53-217229" A very nice family run guesthouse (Preecha and Juliwaan). Both fan and air-con rooms, all with refrigerator, cable TV, and ensuite bathroom. Air-con rooms 500 baht and fan rooms 350 baht. Outstanding location just off the Sunday Walking Market Street inside the old city. Delicious food both Thai and Western and excellent coffee / espresso. Very quiet lane with motorbike rental and laundry service nearby. Free Wi-Fi 24 hours a day. Staff is very friendly and owner speaks good english.

Smile (Guest) House 5 Soi 2 Ratchamankha Road, Prasingh +66 53-208661 -2 (fax: +66 53-208663) - rooms 300-450 baht.

Tawan Court, 15/1 Charoenprathet Road, ☎ 66 (53) 284 212 to 9 (reservation@tawancourt.com, fax: 66 (53) 284 221), Small family-run hotel. Free Wi-Fi

The Garden Guesthouse Chiang Mai, 139 Rachadamnorn Road, T. Pra Singh +66 84-8098768, is situated in the center of the old town. Live music nights including "The Chiang Mai Blues Club" every wednesday at 8:30 PM. Free use of their PC, Internet and Wi-Fi for customers.

The Royal Guest House, Kothchasarn Road, Soi 4 T.ChangKarn, A.Muang +66 53-282460

Wanasit Guesthouse, 6 Ratchamankha Road Soi 8 - modern, clean guesthouse located in a quiet alley in the historical centre next to the Wat Phra Singh temple.

Yourhouse Guesthouse 8 Soi 2 Ratvithi Road +66 53-217492 - traditional Thai teak wooden house, conveniently situated in a small lane in the old part of Chiang Mai, just a 5-minute walk from Tha Phae Gate. Excellent restaurant, and offers a variety of traveller services (e.g. tickets, visas). Very friendly staff. Offer TAT-licenced treks.

Mid-range

3Sis Bed and Breakfast, 1 Soi 8 Phrapokklao Road, ☎ +66 53-273243 (3sis.bnb@gmail.com), Opened in early 2006, this quiet guesthouse is right in the middle of the old city. Clean, very comfortable, and tastefully furnished and decorated in Thai style. Bed and breakfast from 800 baht.

Affordable Chiang Mai, Huay Kaew Road +66 48-098768 is a comfortable, clean and convenient place to stay. One month stay from USD320, including motorbike.

Baan Orapin, 150 Charoenrat Road +66-16164016- this "boutique B&B" with just 6 rooms is in beautifully restored old Thai house set in a small garden. Air-con, hot water and far more character than any other hotel in this price range. Walking distance to the Night Bazaar and the riverside restaurants. Rates from 1000 baht for a double.

Central Duangtawan Hotel, 132 Loi Kroh Road, Excellent four-star hotel with Internet rates from around 1800 baht. Probably a little cheaper than similar competitors as it's in the red-light district, but the area seems quite safe and the hotel is of very high quality.

Chiang Mai Gate Hotel, 11/10 Suriyawong Road (south of the moat) +66 53-203895 -9

Lotus Hotel, 2/25 Viangbua Road, Tambol Chang-Phuak, +66 53-215376 advertises itself as "The Hub of Chiang Mai's Premier Gay Entertainment Center" (sic). Rooms are individually decorated and have air-con, TV, radio, 'phone, 'fridge, and safe; rates 900-2500 baht.

Pornping Tower, 46-48 Charoenprathet Road +66 53-270099 (fax: +66 53-270119) offers not only an amusing name, but slowly fading grandeur at affordable prices. Located near the Night Bazaar, the hotel has a pool and the Bubbles disco, among the most popular in Chiang Mai - and a source of some noise pollution if trying to sleep. The newer and quieter Tower Wing is a bit more expensive than the older Front Wing. 1,000 baht and up (with breakfast).

Raming Lodge, 17-19 Loi Kroh Road, T. Chang Klan, A. Muang +66 53-271777 (fax: +66 53-270039) - great boutique hotel between the night market and the old city. Unique Lanna architecture. No swimming pool. Food at the restaurant is reasonably priced as are the massages (Thai massage 300 baht/hour). Great place to stay with prices starting at 1,800 baht (Internet rates start at 850 baht).

River View Lodge, 25 Charoenprathet Road Soi4 +66 53-271109-10- overlooking the Ping River. All rooms are twin, decorated in Northern Thai style with individually controlled air-conditioning. Private shower, telephone and personal safe. Has a beautiful tropical garden with several intimate pavilions, patios and riverside swimming pool. Less than 10 minutes Walking distance to the Night Bazaar. Rates from 1,450 baht for River Side room with balcony.

TaNiTa (Riverside) Resort, 25/2 Moo 3, Chonpatan Road, A. Sarapee +66 81-8846334 (fax: +66 53-892110) - Northern Lanna Thai style from teak with beautiful garden a hotel mainly visited by foreign tourists because very quiet and private place, in a good location between the Ping River and Baan Tawai. Some rooms offer wonderful mountain and river views. It's a good mid-range option with prices starting at 1,200 baht for River Side room with balcony.

YMCA International Hotel, 11 Mengrairasmi Semsuk Road +66 53-221819 - tucked away in an area northwest of the moat, the hotel is just a 10 minute tuk-tuk ride away from the Night Bazaar and many tourist venues.

Splurge

Chedi Chiang Mai, 123-123/1 Charoen Prathet Road, Tambol Chang Klan, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai 50100 +66 (0) 53 253 333 - a new stylish, modern design hotel located on the banks of the Mae Ping River on the grounds of the former British Consulate. Just a short walk from the Night Market and close to the inner city. 84 deluxe rooms and club suites, all with a private courtyard it also features a fitness and health club, 2 bars, a restaurant featuring Thai, Indian and Western cuisine, a spa and an outdoor swimming pool. Rates start at 10,400 baht.

D2, 100 Chang Klan Road, Tambol Chang Klan, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai 50100 +66 5399 9999 - just outside the city walls right next to the Night Bazaar, probably more convenient than the Oriental or Four Seasons a way outside of town. Most of the sights are within walking distance (not a short walk, but a comfortable walk). Rates over 3,000 baht.

Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Road +66 53-298181 (fax: +66 53-298189) - set in the lush and tranquil countryside amid working paddy fields and water buffalo (the downside of this being, obviously, a less than central location). Featuring a spa and Thai cooking classes within its grounds, if it wasn't for all the mystical temples and fabulous bargains to be found within Chiang Mai, you might never want to leave. If you can afford it, look into the residences, otherwise the garden rooms are equally spectacular and well worth the 17,000 baht they start at - if you can foot the bill.

Lotus Hotel Pang Suan Kaew, 21 Huay Kaew Road (northwest corner of the moat) - rates 2000-6000 baht.

Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, 51/4 Chiang Mai - Sankampaeng Road Moo 1 T. Tasala A. Muang +66 53-888888 - done in the traditional Lanna style of Northern Thailand, this resorts spreads across 60 acres of serene, natural landscapes, incorporating picturesque rice paddies, tropical hardwoods and exotic plantations. The resorts also includes a spa, cooking class, kids club, fitness center, as well as a cultural center. It's truly a unique experience, but the resort caused some local controversy when it built a 'fake' temple based on one of Thailand's most holy sites in its grounds.

Pacific Mansion (long-term-splurge), 16 Hassadhisewee Road, T.Changphuak (northwest of the moat) +66 53-404515 is within walking distance of the "Central" shopping mall and a ten-minute tuk-tuk ride away from the Night Bazaar. Popular with many Japanese tourists.

Viangbua Mansion (long-term-splurge), 3/1 Viangbua Road, Chang Puek, Muang +66 53-411202 - offers deluxe serviced apartments for daily, weekly and monthly rental. Perhaps one of the most expensive housing options in the city at a monthly rate of 12,000 - 100,000 baht, but they do offer a wide range of services and some degree of security. Located in a somewhat remote northwest area of the city.

Contact

Internet

Prices vary from 10 baht/hour (in "gaming" places filled with local kids) to 60 baht/half-hour (2 baht/minute) and up. Most places charge per 15 or 30 minute block, others by the minute.

Crank Tavern, 3/2 Ratchapakinai Rd. (Near Chiang Mai Gate). Internet is free if you by a drink. They have fast ADSL equipped with Skype and you will be in comfortable surrounds. Also good for bike hire and tours.

Buddy Internet, 12 Huaykaew Road (Northweast corner of the moat, opposite the Central Department Store), Tel: 05340-4550. Open 08:00-midnight.

Post

Main Post Office - Charoenmuang Road. Tel: 053 241070, 053 245376.

Phra Sing Post Office - Singharat Road (a three-minute walk south of Wat Phra Singh)

Telephone

Directory enquiry service: 183/1133
International and domestic operator assisted service: 100
Overseas dial-out code: 001
AT&T International operator for collect calls: 001 999 11111

Stay safe

Chiang Mai, like most of Thailand, is quite safe, even at night. The dark streets can look forbidding but crime is rare and visitors shouldn't worry unduly. As always, travellers should take extra care in all poorly lit or more remote areas.

Unfortunately some scams from Bangkok have started to rear their ugly heads in Chiang Mai as well. Two in particular are worth watching out for: the gem scam, where you are talked into buying near-worthless gems at far above their real value; and the tuk-tuk scam, where a smooth-talking tuk tuk driver tells you that the attraction you want to see is closed, and instead offers you a sightseeing tour for 20 baht (or some similarly unrealistic number) - needless to say, the tour will either consist of nothing but overpriced gift shops, or will smoothly segue into the gem scam. See Bangkok | Stay safe for more details.

Stay healthy

Clinics

Savitri-Sharin Clinic 95/2-3 Kochasarn Road (East side of the moat, almost to the southeast corner) Phone 053 275-330 Daily hours 09:00-12:00, 17:00-20:00; Closed Sunday evenings. English spoken. Personable husband and wife team, both are doctors. Highly recommended.

Hospitals

Baan Sabaii, 22 Chiang Saidai Road. A special AIDS hospital backed up by a Christian and Japanese societies (The head doctor is a Japanese woman, Aoki Emiko).

Chiangmai Ram Hospital, 8 Boonruangrit Road, Sripoom District (north-west corner of the moat), +66 53-224851 / +66 53-224861 (fax: +66 53-224880), Offers state-of-the-art (but a bit pricey) medical care.

Malaria Centre, 18 Boonruangrit Road, T Suthep, A Muang +66 53-221529 / +66 53-894271. Chiang Mai city itself is considered low-risk, however malaria is endemic in the region and risk can be especially significant when trekking in the hills.

Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, 110 Intawaroros Road, T.Sripoom, A.Muang Chiang Mai. A university-based hospital, leading medical tertiary-care for the North of Thailand.

Dentists

Chiang Mai Dental Hospital, 1/42 Moo 3 (Chiang Mai - Lampang Road) T Changphuak, A Muang, +66 53-411150,

Grace Dental Care Clinic 45 Soi 11 Nimmanhemin Road T.Suthep (north-west corner of the moat, near Chiang Mai University), +66 53-894568/69, Offers quality care by a team of specialists.

Cope

Local foreign-language newspapers

Chiangmai Mail - English; weekly

Emergency contacts

Police - emergencies: 191
Police - Tourist: 1155, 053-278559
Fire: 053-241777
Rescue Team: 053-218888

Expat associations & clubs

Chiang Mai Expats Club - meets every 2nd & 4th Saturday

Embassies & consulates

Australia, 165 Sirimungklajarn, T. Suthep, A.Muang, +66 53-219726 or +66 53-400232 / +66 53-221083 (fax: +66 53-219726).

Bangladesh, 95 Huay Kaew Road, T. Suthep, A.Muang +66 53-53 212373 - 4 (fax+66 53-53 223524).

China, 111 Changlo Road, Haiya District, +66 53 -276125, 272197, 200424 (admin office) (fax: +66 53-274614) cgprccm@loxinfo.co.th.

Finland, 104-112 Thapae Road, +66 53-234777.

Germany, Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany, 199/163 Moo 3, Baan Nai Fun2, Kan Klong Chonpretan Road, Tambon MaeHia, tel+fax: +66 53-838735.

Great Britain, British Consulate, 198 Bumrungraj Roadm +66 53-263015 (fax: +66 53-263016) ukconsul@loxinfo.co.th[85].

India, 344 Charoenprathet Road, +66 53-243066 (fax: +66 53-247879),

Japan, Airport Business Park, 90 Mahidol Rd. T.Haiya, A. Muang +66 53-203367 (fax: +66 53-203373)

South Africa, 2nd Floor Chiang Inn Hotel, 100 Changklan Road, Amphor Muang +66 53-270070-6 (fax: +66 53-274299 / mobile: +66-1 8412629).

South Korea, V Group Building, 3rd Floor, 50 Huay Kaew Road,Tambon Chang Puak, Amphoe Mueang +66 5322-3119 Ext : 206,210 (fax: +66 53-22-5661).

Sweden, Svenska Konsulatet i Chiang Mai, 11 Sermsuk Road, Mengrairasmi, +66 53-220844 (fax: +66 53-210877).

USA, American Consulate General, 387 Witchayanond Road, +66 53-252629 (fax: +66 53-252633),

Article Source: wikitravel.org

Sukhothai province

2007-08-04T13:12:00.003+07:00

Found in the 13th century, Sukhothai (literally means Dawn of Happiness) was the first truly independent Thai Kingdom, which enjoyed a golden age under King Ramkhamhaeng, credited with creating the Thai alphabet. The superb temples and monuments of this great city have been lovingly restored in Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for all travellers.

Sukhothai is located on the lower edge of the northern region, 427 kilometres north of Bangkok or some 298 kilometres south of Chiang Mai. The province covers some 6,596 square kilometres and is divided into 9 Amphoes: Muang Sukhothai, Ban Dan Lan Hoi, Khiri Mat, Kong Krailat, Sawankhalok, Si Nakhon, Si Samrong, Si Satchanalai and Thung Saliam.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Sukhothai was the first kingdom of the Thais in this peninsula. Two princes-Pho Khun Pha Muang and Pho Khun Bang Klang Hao combined their forces and fought the Khmers who commanded an extensive empire throughout this part of the world.

They drove the Khmers out of Sukhothai, a major frontier post of the Khmer Empire, and established it as their capital in 1238. Pho Khun Bang Klang Hao, urged by the people to be king, was enthroned with the royal title of Pho Khun Si Indrathit.

King Si Indrathit had two sons-Pho Khun Ban Mueang and Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng. After his death, Pho Khun Ban Mueang succeeded him. His brother, Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng, ascended the throne in 1278 and reigned for forty years. He was Thailand's first great king.

One of Thailand's finest warriors, King Ramkhamhaeng made Sukhothai a powerful and extensive kingdom which included many parts of what are today neighbouring countries. A number of ancient cities paid him tribute.
King Ramkhamhaeng opened direct political relations with China and made two trips to China - the first in 1282 to visit Emperor Kublai Khan and the second in 1300 after Kublai Khans death.

From the second visit, he brought back Chinese artisans who taught the Thais the art of pottery. Today, the old Sangkhalok Potteries are eagerly sought by collectors.

A major achievement of King Ramkhamhaeng was the revision of various forms of Khmer alphabets into a system suitable for the writing of Thai words. The alphabet that he invented in 1283 was essentially the same as that in use today.
During his reign, there was prosperity and happiness. There was water in the paddy-fields and fish in the water.

A stone inscription reads in part, This Muang Sukhothai is good. In the water there are fish; in the field there is rice. The ruler does not levy a tax on the people who travel along the road together, leading their oxen on the way to trade and riding their horses on the way to sell. Whoever wants to trade in elephants, so trades. Whoever wants to trade in horses, so trades. Whoever wants to trade in silver and gold, so trades.

King Ramkhamhaeng also promoted religion and culture, and through his efforts, Buddhism progressed among the people. Inspirational faith gave birth to classic forms of Thai religious arts. Images of the Lord Buddha sculptured during the Sukhothai Era are cultural treasures which impart a feeling of peace and serenity.

A total of eight kings ruled Sukhothai. The gradual decline of Sukhothai occurred during the reigns of the last two kings. The end of this first Thai kingdom occurred in 1365 when it became a vassal state of Ayutthaya, a young and rising power to the south. Ayutthaya became the capital of Thailand before Thon Buri and Bangkok.

Article Source: www.tourismthailand.org

Ubon Ratchathani Province

2007-08-04T13:12:00.002+07:00

Ubon Ratchathani has been a well established community for hundreds of years. Relatively unknown to the most tourists, the province boasts a number of natural wonders, cultural and historical attractions, national parks, silk producing shops, etc.

The province is renowned for its strong Buddhist tradition, particularly the practice of forest-dwelling monks and the ancient Buddhist temples, which can still be seen throughout the province today.

A gateway to Laos, Ubon Ratchathani is bordered to the east by the Mekong River and Laos, to the south by Cambodia, to the west by Yasothon and Sisaket Provinces and to the north by Amnat Charoen Province. The provincial capital is approximately 630 kilometers northeast of Bangkok.

The province is unique in its folk culture, which is expressed in the indigenous cuisine, handicrafts, such as silk and cotton products, basketry, and bronze-ware, and traditional events such as the Candle festival held every July. There are natural beauties and historical sites including the 4,000 years old rock formation, prehistoric rock paintings, national parks, waterfalls, and the two-colored river, etc.

The Past

Since the 10th century, Ubon Ratchathani, or simply Ubon, was part of the Khmer Empire until the Kingdom of Ayutthaya conquered it. Towards the end of the 18th century, Laotians immigrated to the northern banks of the Mun River and founded the provincial capital. The Laotian influence is evident in the architectural structure of some of the city's religious buildings. This incident was told in the provincial seal which features a pond with a lotus flower and leaves in a circular frame. It symbolizes the ancient community of the people who fled the massacre of King Siriboonsarn of Vientiane and came to settle in Nong Bua Lam Phu Province in 1779 during the reign of King Thonburi. This community was established as a province with the name Ubon Ratchathani Srivanalai in 1792 during the reign of King Rama I, the first king of the Chakri Dynasty.

During the reign of King Rama V, Ubon Ratchathani was annexed to Lao Kao town. Later in 1899, the area was under the supervision of Northeastern Monthon, with Ubon Ratchathani serving as an administrative hub. In 1900, the name was changed to Monthon I-San. When the Monthon system was abolished, the city has become Ubon Ratchathani province. During the Vietnam War, Ubon encountered expansive growth due to its proximity to an American air base.

The Present

Today, the province is the largest and one of the most important provinces in northeastern Thailand. Due to the large number of fascinating temples dotting the city, Ubon is a place of pilgrimage at the beginning of Buddhist Lent. Aside from the numerous attractions, festivals and holidays are celebrated with a unique Ubon flair.

Located in the Korat Basin about 68 meters (227 feet) above sea level, most of Ubon Ratchathani is a plateau sloping to the east to meet the Maekhong River, a border between Thailand and the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic. Other major rivers in the area are the Chee River, Moon River, Lum Saybok River, Lum Domeyai River and Lum Domenoi River. There are some high mountain ranges in the south such as Bantad Range and Phanom Dongrak Range which border Ubon Ratchathani and the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic and the Kingdom of Cambodia.

The most important natural resource in Ubon Ratchathani is its forests, such as Teng-Rung forests, Red forests and mixed forests. In the province, there are 50 national preserved forests, 3 national parks, 2 botanical gardens, 1 wild life preservation area and 1 botanical park.

There are highways and rail roads connecting different districts in Ubon Ratchathani with other provinces and there is one international airport located in Muang District.

People of Ubon Ratchathani are engaged in activities related to agriculture and livestock raising. They are religious and still abide by tradition and culture. Locals usually dwell in groups of houses, speak their own dialects and practice their traditionally handed down cultures.

The province covers 15,517 square kilometers and is divided into the following districts: Muang, Warin Chamrap, Det Udom, Buntharik, Na Chaluai, Nam Yuen, Phibun Mangsahan, Khong Chiam, Si Muang Mai, Trakan Phuet Phon, Khemarat, Mung Sam Sip, Khueang Nai, Kut Khaopun, Tan Sum, Pho Sai, Samrong, Sirindhorn, Don Mot Daeng, Thung Si Udom, Na Yia, Na Tan, Lao Suea Kok, Sawang Wirawong and Nam Khun

Article Source: www.tourismthailand.org

Mae Hong Son Province

2007-08-04T13:12:00.000+07:00

MAE HONG SON is nestled in a deep valley hemmed in by high mountain ranges, Mae Hong Son has long been isolated from the outside world. Virtually covered with mist throughout the year, the name refers to the fact that is terrain is highly suitable for the training of elephants.

Former governors of Chiang Mai used to organise the rounding up of wild elephants which were then trained before being sent to the capital for work. Today, Mae Hong Son is one of the dream destinations for visitors. Daily flights into its small airport bring growing numbers of tourists, attracted by the spectacular scenery, numerous hilltribe communities and soft adventure opportunities.

THAI YAI CULTURE

The Thai Yai can be seen along the northern border with Myanmar. They may at one time have been the most numerous of the ethnic Thai tribes that stretch across Southeast Asia. A large group settled in Mae Hong Son.

The Thai Yai culture has had a strong influence on the province, as can be seen in its architecture. Although a part of the Lanna region, the indigenous Thai Yai people living in Mae Hong Son are faced with very cold weather during winter and extremely hot weather in the summer, with mist or fog practically throughout the whole year. Not surprisingly they have had to adapt to the environment.

As a result, their architectural style has developed into something different from other Lanna communities. Their living quarters are usually built with tall floors and low roofs, the sizes differing according to ones social status and position. Homes of the ordinary folks are usually with one single level of roof, while those of the local aristocrats have two or more levels forming a castle-like shape. The space thus provided is believed to help air circulation. An interesting feature of the Thai Yai style is the perforated designs along the eaves which are an architectural identity of the area.

Article Source: www.tourismthailand.org

Ranong Province

2007-08-04T13:11:00.002+07:00

Ranong is the first southern province on the western coast, located 568 kilometres from Bangkok. It is known for the long rainy period, which lasts for 8 months each year. Ranong occupies an area of 3,298 square kilometres and is bordered by Myanmar and the Indian Ocean to the west. Within its compact area, Ranong contains various natural attractions and is blessed with hot springs and unspoiled mangrove forests.

A mountainous and heavily forested province, Ranong is best known as a fishing and trading port. It was settled by the Hokkian Chinese, and their strong influence is evident in the town. Ranong town is a gateway to Myanmar, with colourful longboats ferrying produce and people across the narrow divide that separates the two countries. The traffic is even heavier these days since a casino opened at Victoria Point. The famous hot springs are just outside of town, where an arboretum and various first-class hotels cater to visitors eager to benefit from the medicinal properties of the mineral waters.

Article Source: www.tourismthailand.org

Phang-nga Province

2007-08-04T13:11:00.001+07:00

The province of Phang-nga is located some 788 kilometres from Bangkok. It covers an area of 4,170 square kilometres.

Phang-nga is a province with two characters - land and sea - and packed with national parks that guard magnificent scenery with immensely different attractions.

Most famous is Ao Phang-nga National Park, a geological wonder filled with islets, sunken caverns and startling rock formations rising sheer out of the sea. The bay is extremely sheltered ideal for expeditions of sea canoes to explore the many fascinating caverns with their own eco-systems.

Phang-nga's andaman coast offers parks of a different kind. The island groups of Surin and Similan are renowned for their beautiful unspoilt beaches and spectacular underwater scenery, attracting divers from around the world. Khao Lak is a coastal park full of birds, mammals and scenic waterfalls, with a number of hotel developments after Tsunami disaster in December 2004.

Article Source: www.tourismthailand.org

Prachuap Khiri Khan province

2007-08-04T13:11:00.000+07:00

Prachuap Khiri Khan
(including Hua Hin)

The provincial capital is a fishing port with a superb location beside beautiful curving bays and amongst steep mountain outcrops. About 100 kilometres to the north of Prachuap Khiri Khan is Hua Hin, Thailand's first beach resort which is renowned for golf and spa. Between Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan are Pran Buri with many boutique resorts and Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park with soaring peaks, numerous caves and exotic bird life.

Hua Hin
281 kilometers south of Bangkok, Hua Hin, which literally means stone head in Thai, is the oldest beach resort of the country and is still very popular. Clean white sand, crystal clear water and a tranquil atmosphere has continued to attract tourists in search of peaceful and relaxing holidays.

The town was originally known as Ban Samoe Rieng, or Ban Laem Hin (Stony Point Village). The construction of a railway station in the city as part of the Southern Railroad in the reign of King Rama VI resulted in making Hua Hin stand out from many quite fishing villages. In addition, the construction of a Summer Palace of King Rama VII totally transformed the village into a high-society resort town for royalty. Even today, the Royal Family continues to reside at the Palace for part of the year.

Hua Hin's consequence came with the opening of the Railway Hotel (known today as the Sofitel Central Hotel), an elegant Victorian-style resort hotel, and also the countrys first standard golf course. A cluster of royal and high-society residences gradually became more visible resulting in the transformation of the whole village into the first seaside resort of the country, where visitors could enjoy swimming, fishing, and golfing in the country's first standard golf course.

Today, Hua Hin is a well-established beach destination with word-class facilities coupled with a true sense of Thai hospitality. Despite its expansive growth and development as a luxurious destination, the splendor of Hua Hin remains intact. Remaining content in itself, Thailand's oldest seaside resort has never sought international recognition. It has continued to provide a peaceful and relaxed sanctuary in a picturesque environment that comes with a true sense of historical identity.

Article Source: www.tourismthailand.org

Ratchaburi province

2007-08-04T13:05:00.001+07:00

Ratchaburi, a glorious town during the Dvaravati period, is located on the bank of the Mae Klong River. The provincial area abounds in natural attractions and historical sites. It is located 80 kilometres west of Bangkok and borders on Myanmar to the west having the Tanaosi Range as a borderline.

Ratchaburi occupies an area of 5,196 square kilometres and is administratively divided into nine districts: Muang Ratchaburi, Photharam, Damnoen Saduak, Pak Tho, Chom Bueng, Bang Phae, Wat Phleng , Suan Phueng, and Ban Pong, and one sub-district: King Amphoe Ban Kha.

Article Source: www.tourismthailand.org

Sing Buri province

2007-08-04T13:05:00.000+07:00

Sing Buri is 142 kms. north of Bangkok on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. It was established in the year 1895 during the reign of King Rama V through a consolidation of three small riverside towns including Sing Buri, In Buri, and Phrom Buri. The province currently occupies an area of 822 square kilometres and is divided into six districts (Amphoes): Muang Sing Buri, In Buri, Bang Rachan, Khai Bang Rachan, Phrom Buri and Tha Chang.

Article Source: www.tourismthailand.org

Ang Thong province

2007-08-04T13:04:00.000+07:00

Ang Thong, a province, which is luxurious of native handicraft like, molded court dolls, firebrick, and wickerwork. It is also the origination of Li Ke, the native folk song, hometown of Nai Dok and Nai Thongkaeo, the two heroes during Bang Rachan Battle. Ang Thong is also abundant with more than 200 clean, magnificent, and interesting temples, most appropriate for Thai chronological study.

Ang Thong, originally known as Mueang Wiset Chai Chan, is located on the Noi River and the low-lying land of Chao Phraya River. It is an essential frontier outpost of Ayutthaya when fighting with the Burmese. As appeared in several parts of Ayutthaya chronicles, especially, prior to the defeat of Ayutthaya in 1767, the Burmese encamped at Mueang Wiset Chai Chan to attack Ayutthaya causing Bang Rachan Battle, a noted event recorded in Thai history. Later during the Thonburi era, Mueang Wiset Chai Chan was moved to a new site on the left bank of the Chao Phraya River at Ban Bangkaeo and was named Ang Thong since its location was a fertile basin similar to a water and rice bowl of the country.

Ang Thong is a small province located at the lower part of central Thailand as large as 968 square kilometers. Topographically, almost all of the Ang Thong area is low plain with two important rivers crossing the province, i.e. Noi River and Chao Phraya River. Ang Thong is administratively divided into 7 Amphoes: Amphoe Mueang Ang Thong, Amphoe Wiset Chai Chan, Amphoe Sawaeng Ha, Amphoe Pa Mok, Amphoe Pho Thong, Amphoe Chaiyo, and Amphoe Samko. Borders are Sing Buri to the north, Ayutthaya to the south, Ayutthaya and Lop Buri to the east and Suphan Buri to the west.

Distances from Amphoe Muang to neighbouring Amphoes :

Amphoe Pho Thong 11 kilometers
Amphoe Pa Mok 12 kilometers
Amphoe Wiset Chai Chan 13 kilometers
Amphoe Chaiyo 15 kilometers
Amphoe Sawaeng Ha 25 kilometers
Amphoe Samko 27 kilometers

Distances from Ang Thong Province to other Provinces nearly :

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 31 kilometers
Sing Buri 40 kilometers
Suphan Buri 44 kilometers
Lop Buri 67 kilometers

Article Source: www.tourismthailand.org

Kanchanaburi province

2007-08-04T13:03:00.000+07:00

According to most historians, the ancient town of Kanchanaburi was located near Ban
Lat Ya, a small village situated approximately 16 kilometers north of the present town. The site was repeatedly recorded in Thai history as an invasion route which the Burmese used to enter Thai Kingdoms.

Kanchanaburi, which has mostly mountainous terrain, covers an area of approximately 19,473 square kilometers and is the third largest province in Thailand after Chiang Mai and Nakhon Ratchasima. Situated approximately 129 kilometres west of Bangkok, Kanchanaburi shares a border with Myanmar to the west, Tak and Uthai Thani Provinces to the north, Suphan Buri and Nakhon Pathom Provinces to the east, and Ratchaburi Province to the south.

In north and west Kanchanaburi, the terrain is comprised mainly of mountains and high plains, with the Thanon Thongchai Range acting as a natural border between Thailand and Myanmar. The range is the source of Kanchanaburi's two most important rivers Maenam Khwae Noi and Maenam Khwae Yai, which form the famous Maenam Mae Klong. As a result, several of Thailand's largest Namtok (waterfalls) and most extensive wildlife sanctuaries are found in this area.

The magnificent landscape and charming beauty of Kanchanaburi have resulted in major tourist attractions including several well-known waterfalls, caves which were once inhabited by Neolithic man, pristine national parks, tranquil rivers, virgin forests, and reservoir. Together, they offer an intriguing experience for first-time or repeat visitors. Whether its fishing, rafting, canoeing, mountain biking, bird-watching, star-gazing, golfing, elephant and jungle trekking, or even living in bamboo rafts, Kanchanaburi takes pride in offering them all.

The city of Kanchanaburi is located at the point where two tributaries, the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai meet and form the Maenam Mae Klong. This is the location of the notorious Death Railway and the Bridge on the River Khwae one of the worlds famous World War II sites which have been immortalized in print and film.

In economic terms, Kanchanaburi has been doing well on a national scale, with over 10 per cent growth annually. Important industries include sugar, agricultural products and jewelry. Tourism is also a main source of income for the locals as the provinces high tourism potential has made Kanchanaburi number one among the west provinces in having the highest number of visitors each year.

Residents of Kanchanaburi are engaged in agricultural activities. Most of the locals are of Thai ancestry with notable Mon and Karen minorities. Rural dwellers enjoy living simply and respecting nature. Moreover folk music and dances dating back at least 500 years are still performed today.

Article Source: www.tourismthailand.org