CHIANGMAI SONGKRAN FESTIVAL 2009

The Songkran Festival lasts for several days and is a traditional celebration that welcomes in the Thai New Year. It is one of the biggest and brightest celebrations in Thailand making it a great time to visit the country to participate in this fun and friendly event.

On the first day it is traditional for Thais to clean their house in preparation for the year ahead. The following day is given over to the preparation of food and special meals to be consumed over the coming days. The third day is the start of the Thai New Year.

On the third day, it is marked by religious ceremonies which usually take place early in the morning. Come the afternoon, it's time for the water fights which rage through the streets during which everybody, including tourists, are targets. The day is celebrated all over the country with various special events and attractions.

A popular town with tourists, Chiang Mai is a great place to soak up the atmosphere of this unique festival. The whole town gets involved in the celebrations with beauty pageants, feasts, parades, ceremonies and, of course, a huge water fight.

For more information :

Tourism Authority of Thailand Northern Office (Tourist Info)
105/1 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road

Amphoe Mueang

Chiang Mai 50000

Thailand

Tel +66 53 248 604.

Email : tatchmai@tat.or.th

SONGKRAN FESTIVAL : WHAT DOES IT MEAN ?

The Meaning of Songkran Festival in Thailand

Songkran is the Thai traditional New Year and an occasion for family reunion. At this time, people from the rural areas who are working in the city usually return home to celebrate the festival. Thus, when the time comes, Bangkok temporarily turns into a deserted city.

The festival falls on April 13 and the annual celebration is held throughout the kingdom. In fact, “Songkran” is a Thai word which means “move” or “change place” as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac. It is also known as the “Water Festival” as people believe that water will wash away bad luck.

This Thai traditional New Year begins with early morning merit-making offering food to Buddhist monks and releasing caged birds to fly freely into the sky. During this auspicious occasion, any animals kept will be set free. Paying homage to one’s ancestors is an important part of the day. People will pay their respects to the elders by pouring scented water over the palms of their hands. The elders in return wish the youngsters good luck and prosperity.

In the afternoon, after performing a bathing rite for Buddha images and the monks, the celebrants both young and old, joyfully splash water on each other.

The most-talked about celebration takes place in the northern province of Chiang Mai where Songkran is celebrated from April 13 to 15. During this period, people from all parts of the country flock there to enjoy the water festival, to watch the Miss Songkran Contest and the beautiful parades.

In Bangkok, the Buddha image “Buddhasihing” is brought out from the National Museum for people to sprinkle lustral water at Sanam Luang opposite the Grand Palace.

Thailand Top Travel Destinations

There are many top travel destinations in Thailand from 2008 Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards by tripadviser.

1. Koh Phi Phi Don, Phuket, Southern Thailand



The largest island of the group of The Phi Phi Islands in Phuket. It is the only island with permanent inhabitants. There are no accommodation facilities on this island, and the rest of the islands in the group, including Bida Nok, Bida Noi, and Bamboo Island, are not much more than large limestone rocks jutting out of the sea.

Phi Phi Don was initially populated by Muslim fishermen during the late 1940s, and later became a coconut plantation. The Thai population of Phi Phi Don remains more than 80% Muslim.But the actual population if counting laborers, especially from the north-east, from the mainland is much more Buddhist these days.

2. Chiangmai, Northern Thailand


The largest and most significant city in northern Thailand. The province is located some 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok, among some of the highest mountains in the country. The city stands on the Ping river, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya river. There are many tourist attractions for the thousands of foreign visitors who come each year. Chiangmai's historic importance is derived from its strategic location on an ancient trade route. Long before the modern influx of tourists, the city served as an important centre for handcrafts, hand-made paper umbrellas and jewellery.

3. Bangkok, The Capital of Thailand

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, the largest urban area and primary city of Thailand. Bangkok has been the political, social and economic center of not only Thailand but for much of South East Asia and Indochina as well. Its influence in the arts, politics, fashion, education and entertainment as well as being a business, financial and cultural center of Asia has given Bangkok the status of a global city.

4. Koh Tao, Eastern Thailand

Koh Tao is an island located near the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand. It covers an area of about 21 km². The island, Koh Tao is well known for scuba diving and snorkeling, and also offers some hiking. The most popular place for tourists is Sairee on the West coast, which has a white sandy beach of 1.7 km interrupted only by a few huge boulders and a scattering of medium budget resorts and restaurants. A multitude of beautiful granite boulders, which nestle both in the forests and on the beaches of Koh Tao, attract a growing number of climbers who visit each year to enjoy the adventurous aspect of their sport.

5. Krabi, Southern Thailand

Krabi is a southern province of Thailand on Andaman seaboard with the oldest history of continued settlement. After dating stone tools, ancient colored pictures, beads, pottery and skeletal remains found in the province's many cliffs and caves. With its natural beauty, Krabi is superb for canoeing, kayaking, diving, and some other water sports. Apart from those, rock climbing on Pranang Peninsula is gaining more popularity with over 150 challenging pegged routes.

More information about Thailand

Chiang Mai Flower Festival 2009

6-8 February 2009

Venue: In the provincial town of Chiang Mai at Nong Buak Had Park

Chiang Mai is famous for its variety of valley flowers. Most of them bloom early in the year from January to February, which is regarded as the most beautiful period of Chiang Mai. The celebratory atmosphere and the tradition of the locals who have enjoyed floral beauty since ancient times are why the grand Flower Festival is organised here annually since 1977.

The most interesting highlight of the Flower Festival is the part of many flower floats decorated with a beautiful array of floral species. Each flower, with its shade of colour is carefully selected and positioned on the float to form fine patterns, words and pictures. The beauty of the flowers combined with the creative ingenuity of their arrangement make each float a work of art requiring time-consuming attention from its creators. All floats will start at Chiang Mai Train Station.

A second highlight of the Flower Festival is the beauty of the contestants that sit atop the flower floats. Each contestant wears a different local Northern costume, giving visitors and locals alike rare opportunities to witness the traditional local dresses.

Besides the parade, the Flower Festival also features a display of agricultural products, an exhibition and a contest of several species of flowers such as roses, orchids, carnations, lilies, China asters etc., a flower arrangement exhibition and competition, decorative plants, and mini garden landscaping. In addition, for all those with green fingers, there is a large variety of gardening equipment as well as various kinds of flowering and decorative plants for sale at more than economical prices.

For more information, please contact:

Tourism Authority of Thailand Chiang Mai Office

Tel: 0 5324 8604, 0 5324 8607

Thailand Beautiful Flower Festival 2007

28 December 2007 - 6 January 2008

Venue: Hat Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai Town, Chiang Rai Province (785 km north of Bangkok)

Chiang Rai, with its mountainous scenery, beautiful flowers and fresh air, especially in the cool season, is a recommended place for recreation. Since Chiang Rai Province is about to arrange Chiang Rai Beautiful Flower Festival 2007, you are invited to this impressive fair.

The 4th Chiang Rai Beautiful Flower Festival 2007 is scheduled to be held from 8 to 16 December 2007 at Hat Chiang Rai in Chiang Rai Town. The festival will be organized to develop Chiang Rai Province as a producing area of quality flowers and ornamental plants as well as to promote tourism of Chiang Rai Province.

During the festival there are many activities including: - The flower and ornamental plant contest- The orchid and orchid garden contest- Miss Thin Thai Ngam beauty contest- Parade of floral floats- Agricultural produce fair- OTOP trading

For more information, please contact:

Tourism Authority of Thailand Northern Office: Region 2

Tel: +66 (0) 5371 7433, 5374 4674 to 5

Shopping in Thailand

Shopping in Thailand offers you the most value of money for its cheap price, but relatively of high quality. There is a large array of products to choose from, but the most popular ones are Thai exquisite handicrafts which can be found in various places in tourists areas throughout the country.

Silk: Thai silk is world famed for its high quality and beautiful design. However, there are several grades of silk which vary in prices, too. Cheap silk is often just rayon or rough silk interwoven with synthetics. Silk of high-quality with hand-woven texture is sold about 500-800 per a yard. Thai silk is characterized by its uneven texture and a formation of little sweatlike bead when burnt. The two main production centers of Thai silk are at Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

Antiques: Among the sought-after items are: swankhalok pottery from the Sukhothai period, carvings and sculptures, ornamental wood fragments, puppets, masks, and silver bowl. All antiques can only be exported with written permission from the Antique Art Business Division (Tel.02-224-1370) of the Fine Arts Department. All Buddha images and other images of other deities dating from before 18th century are protected by Thai not to be exported.

Wood carving: An ancient Thai art handed down from the Sukhothai period. Most of wood carving production centers scatter around in the northern region of Thailand such as Lampang, Prae, Nan, and Chiang Mai. There are a wide variety of wood-carved works ranging from furniture, household utensils, decorative objects and many souvenir items.

Silverware: Silverware-making is an ancient art of Thailand dating several centuries. Thai silverware, particularly ornaments, is in great demand in the world market for its exquisite craftsmanship. The two main productions centers of silverware are Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Gems and jewelry: Thai's gems and jewelry is famous for its high-grade gemstones, notably rubies and sapphires together with its skillful craftsmen and expert designers.

The Loi Krathong Festival, Thailand Nationwide

The Loi Krathong Festival is the most romantic festival in Thailand, especially in modern times. Almost without exception, young lovers will go out in pairs to spend the evening together, floating krathong (vessels with flowers, lit candles and joss sticks) and saying silent prayers. The festival is celebrated nationwide in Thailand with different unique characteristics of festivities. Enjoy the festivities at any site convenient to you!

Bangkok : The Royal Rattanakosin Loi Krathong Festival

21-24 November 2007

Venue: Rama VIII Bridge and citywide along the Chao Phraya River

Experience the simulated “Chong Priang Lod Chud Loi Khom” ceremony, the royal ritual to make the offering of light to the three deities of Brahmanism; namely, Brahma, Siva, and Vishnu (Narayana) or collectively called “Devamurti”. Take part in many other activities such as traditional games and launching krathong, various contests and competitions like krathong competition and Rattanakosin style attire contest.

For more information, please contact:

Tourism Authority of Thailand

Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 # 3489

Fax: +66 (0) 2250 5511

For event information, please call 1672

Ayutthaya : Loi Krathong Tam Prathip Festival

23-25 November 2007

Venue: Bangsai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre

Highlights: Nang Noppamat pageant, Nang Nopphamat processions, Thai food fair, vocational product sales, floating market, firework and floating lanterns and long boat races.

For more information, please contact:

Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Office: Region 6

Tel: +66 (0) 3524 6076-7

Bangsai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre

Tel: +66 (0) 3536 6252-3

Sukhothai : Loi Krathong and Candle Festival

21-25 November 2007

Venue: Sukhothai Historical Park

In this festival, you will watch the Nang Nopphamat procession, exhibitions, lighting of lanterns at the historical site, a krathong launching and firework displays over all waterways and a krathong competition. Enjoy highlight festivities of candle lighting and the light and sound presentation with cultural dances and other interesting activities.

For information, please contact:

Tourism Authority of Thailand Northern Office: Region 3

Tel: +66 (0) 5525 2742-3

Chiang Mai : Chiang Mai Yi Peng Festival

22-25 November 2007

Venue: Chiang Mai Municipality Office and citywide

Come and experience another form of Loi Krathong festival, in Lanna Thai style. This festival creates a mesmerising sight, with a unique ritual of launching Lanna-style hot air balloons, which is believed by locals to rid them of their troubles. Enjoy different festivities, including the Tho Phae contest, boat race in the Ping River, small and giant krathong contests, and beauty contests.

The impressive ancient Lanna tradition will be celebrated throughout the city. Visitors are invited to join special activities such as Loi Sa Pao, a merit making dedicated to the dead; Phang Prathip, lighting small lanterns in an equal number of your age to live long and prosperous life; Lantern floating to release all sickness and bad fortune; and Tan Khom, lighting an octagonal lantern before bringing it to a temple where the monks will give a sermon all day and night.

This year, locals and tourists can bring their lanterns and hang them on the trees prepared by Chiang Mai Municipality to bless His Majesty the King on the auspicious occasion of his 80th Birthday Anniversary.

For more information, please contact:

Tourism Authority of Thailand Northern Office: Region 1

Tel: +66 (0) 5324 8604, +66 (0) 5324 8607

PR Division Chiang Mai Municipality

Tel: +66 (0) 5325 9094, +66 (0) 5325 9097

See also :

The Festival of Light

Things To Do in Chiangmai

Bangkok Travel

Find The Best Price on Hotels

Natural Attractions in Northern Thailand

Chiang Rai was the first Lanna Thai capital and contains the historic sites of this northernmost area of Thailand. The area is bordered by Burma and Laos with the three countries meeting at the Golden Triangle on the Mekong river.

The whole area is hills and valleys with many hill tribe communities - so nature tours and treks are the basis of the area's activities. Treks usually include mixtures of walking, elephant riding, rafting and visits to hill tribe villages.

In Chiang Rai, a whole range of treks have been developed for periods from a half day to about a week. Quite a few treks from Chiang Mai travel to Chiang Rai, including treks by mountain bike and raft, and after such a trek to Chiang Rai there is lots of scope to continue trekking around Chiang Rai.

The most developed tourism is in the north - in Chiang Rai - and a newer wilder area is opening up to the south - in Nan. In hills on the border with Laos, Nan offers nature treks and tours of up to 3 or 4 days including white water rafting, elephant riding and one of the rarest hill tribe communities of all; the paths are less worn and nature a bit more natural.

The best accommodation is in Chiang Rai but Good 'n' Clean and Tourist accommodation is available in provincial centres. On the treks accommodation is generally quite simple, including home stays in hill tribe villages. There are flights into both Chiang Rai and Nan and a good road network.

Doi Luang National Park

It covers about 1,172 sq km of Chiang Rai, Lampang and Phayao. Mostly mixed deciduous forest, the park has 89 confirmed bird species and 12 mammal species, including wild pig, slow loris and barking deer.

Wang Kaew waterfall is regarded as the park's most beautiful - and the nearby Wang Thong waterfall and Nang Phaya Pang Ding Cave are well worth a visit.

In the Chiang Rai part of the park, about 9kms from the 773 km marker on the Bangkok-Chiang Rai road, is Namtok Pu Kaeng, the largest waterfall in Chiang Rai with a good flow cascading all year - there are also some caves nearby. In Phayao's area, Namtok Champa Thong is a beautiful waterfall surrounded by rich forests.

Doi Phu Kha National Park

It's situated in the north-east of Nan's provincial capital on Doi Phu Kha, a mountain of 1980m. The park, close to the border with Laos, offers magnificent mountain scenery with forests and numerous waterfalls and caves.

The variety of forest types attracts botanists who have discovered rare and unique botanical species, including a plant with multi-coloured petals of which only six of the species are believed to bloom each year.

There is an equally rare hill tribe. The elusive Mrabi - or Phi Thong Luang - are nomadic hunters in the forests who have had very little contact with the outside world until the last few decades.It is a very rewarding experience, as its very remoteness has preserved its bucolic charms. There are barely 150 Mrabi in total but they, and other communities can be visited on treks in Nan. The nearby Namtok Sila Phet is a beautiful waterfall. There are no bungalows in the park, but tents can be rented.

The Tham Pha Tup Forest Park (12 km north of Nan city)

The park is well worth visiting not only for the natural forest but the network of 17 limestone caves, half of which can be reached on nature trails.

About 25 km south of Nan on the road between Wiang Sa and Na Noi are the caves of Tham Pha Mong and Tham Pha Wiang with fascinating stalactites and stalagmites.

A short distance further south are Sao Din and Hom Chom, areas of earth pillars produced in erosion of the softer layer of rock beneath the sandstone which forms and protects the top of the pillars.

Some 40km west of Nan, on the road to Phayao, Doi Pha Chi is a mountain with its forest still in perfect natural condition - once a base for insurgents who tended to keep the loggers away.

Living Around The Nature in Pai, Northern Thailand

Introduction
Pai district is situated about halfway between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Sorn, the misty town on the Burmese border. At about 600 meters above sea level, surrounded by high mountains. Pai offers one of the most fertile and beautiful nature in the North of Thailand, clean air and no pollution. People from many different tribes live here peacefully together and still maintain their traditional way of living.

The serene Pai river runs from the northern border with Burma through Pai town and along virgin jungle to Mae Hong Sorn. Hardy adventurers use this route for exciting rafting.

How to get there?
Start from the main tourist hub: From Chiang Mai on route 1095 towards Pai it is 132 kilometer. The bus from Chiang Mai Arcade bus station takes about 4 hours.

Weather in Pai
cold season: 12º C - 28º C from November - March
hot season: 24º C - 35º C from April - June
rainy season: 24º C - 32º C from July - September

Activities in Pai

• padelling rubber boat along Pai river


• adventure rafting and canoe along Pai river


• explore caves or go mountain trekking


• elephant riding through jungle


• mountain bike cycling or motorbike-trekking (Nop's bike shop offers 2 - 3 - 4 days motorbike trekking with 250 ccm trail bikes around northern part of Mae Hong Sorn province. Guide available or on your own. Also available Honda Dream, good maps and other information.)


• jungle-treks: Pai is well known as a base camp for trekks to hill tribes.


• Walk through green jungle and spend the night in a hill tribe village to experience their traditional way of life. In Pai there are local or hill tribe guides and porters available.


• Herbal Sauna and Thai Traditional Massage as well as herbal medicine or Burmese Massage


• Reading (Nop's book shop)


• Thai cooking course at Peter's and Wandee's Hut in Mae Yen

Facilities in Pai
Pai is a small town but can offer enough facilities such as a post office, hospital, long distance call and fax service. Accommodations and food are good and cheap. Most of the guest houses are in town and the scenic most beautiful ones are along the river. Local restaurants and western style restaurants are available (e. g. Chez Swan Restaurant, Thai Yai Restaurant) with home made brown bread.

40 Things To Do in Chiangmai, the North of Thailand

1. Universal energy healing at Wat Jedi Luang (half day)
   
2. Have a 2 hour traditional Thai massage, with or without oil
   
3. Take a 2 hour traditional herbal sauna
   
4. Learn the secrets of Thai massage. Course can be arranged locally at the Old Medicine Hospital. Courses are conducted in English and last for ten days (5 hours a day). At the end of the course there is an examination and those who pass receive a certificate.
   
5. Take a dinner cruise on the Ping River, passing by temples. In addition there is an on-board cultural show (3 hours).
   
6. Take a trek in the nearby jungles with an English speaking guide. Treks last one to three days and include meals and accommodation (either in a tent or a local village depending on the tour).
   
7. Go to see an elephant show at Chiang Dao. As well as seeing elephants at work, you can take a hours elephant ride and visit orchid and butterfly farms (half day).
   
8. Experience a jungle adventure with elephant and ox cart rides and bamboo rafting down the river at Mae Tamarn (full day)..
   
9. Learn the art of Thai cuisine. Take cooking classes or fruit and vegetable carving classes at the hotel. Courses can be a half day or full day, including a market visit and lunch).
   
10. Visit the hilltribe museum, stopping off at handicraft centres set up by local NGO's to enable the hilltribe people to benefit from selling their crafts at a fair price (half day).
    
11. Take a mountain bike ride around the city or go "off road" on one of the many jungle tracks.
    
12. Hire a motor bike and drive the popular Samoeng loop to see some of the countryside around Chiang Mai.
    
13. Vist the McKean Rehabilitation Centre which is nearly 100 years old (half day).
    
14. Take a trip to Chiang mai zoo.
    
15. Bath in the hot spring at Sankampaeng (full day).
    
16. Decorate your bag wiht hand painting in the hotel lobby.
    
17. Plant a tree in the hotel garden to celebrate your stay in Chiang Mai. Each tree has a name sign so that you can find it again when you return to visit.
    
18. Learn the art of meditation at Wat Run Pueng or Wat Umong (half day).
    
19. Get married with a traditional Thai weddings ceremony. The ceremony takes a full day and bookings need to be made 10 days in advance).
    
20. The ultimate honeymoon package in Chiang Mai
    - A welcome from the airport in our "just married tuk tuk"
    - A suite at the Amari Rincome hotel for 3 nights including breakfast
    - Sunset cocktails at Doi Suthep
    - Monk merit making
    - Tree planting in the hotel garden
    
21. Visit Mae Hong Song. The trip takes a day and includes round trip airtickets, lunch, a city tour and a visit to see the long neck Karen hilltribe by long tailed boat. This is particularly beautiful in November during the BuaTong flower season.
    
22. A full day trip to Chiang Rai taking in the sights of the Golden Traingle and Mae Sai. The tour includes a longtailed boat ride on the Mae Khong River and lunch.
    
23. Drive three hours to Doi Angkhang and visit hilltribes, follow a mountain trek, go mountain biking or mule riding! The area is also famous for bird watching. Overnight accommodation to be arranged in the Angkhang Nature Resort (2 days).
    
24. A visit to the traditional silver smiths in Wualai (half day).
    
25. Visit the "wet markets" of Chiang Mai - Ton Lam Yai market and Warorot to experience the liefestyle of the local people (half day).
    
26. Take a day trip to the Lampang Elephant Camp and Hostipal. The tour also includes stops at ceramic factories and a city temple and includes lunch (full days).
    
27. Visit Chiang Mai's famous celedon factory for an excellent choice of the blue and green ceramics at reasonable prices (half day).
    
28. Learn about traditional silk weaving at the Naen-Na Studio.
    
29. See how local sausages are made at the Naem Pa-Yon factory.
    
30. Get an insight into the Buddhist religion and attend a funeral or another religious ceremony (half day).
    
31. Have an early start and offer alms to monks "Sai Baht" at the "Ta Pae Gate" or at Wat Sri Soda, where there are 500 monks.
    
32. Share a little happiness by visiting the HIV positive children in the Wiangping Children's home (half day).
    
33. Go back to school! Visit some of the local universities, including:
    - Chiang Mai General University
    -Payap (the Baptist University)
    - Mae Jo (the agricultural University)
    - Rajabhat Institute
    The trip includes lunch (full day).
    
34. Make a visit to the schools which teach the blind and deaf.
    
35. Take a trip to Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Chiang Mai. The tour will also include a stop at a Royal Project, a waterfall and a wood carving village.
    
36. Go golfing at the following clubs:
    - Chaing Mai - Lamphun Golf Course
    - Royal Chaing Mai Golf Club
    - Green Valley Golf Club
    - Lanna Golf Club
    - Gymnkhana Golf Course which is 100 years old (9 holes)
    
37. Listen to a talk by John Shaw, the Ex Honary Consul for the UK, about how Chiang Mai was 30 years ago.
    
38. Learn about rice farming, with a lesson on how rice is grown (half day).
    
39. Make a vist to a unique holiday retreat at Mae Ngat Dam. You can have a picnic on the floating bamboo huts and enjoy bird watching or fishing (full day).
    
40. Go on a days eco adventure. A day trek through the jungle including absailing and a "bamboo cooking" lunch. You'll really get a chance to "get back to nature".