Loi Krathong Festival Part III
by allthai
The Krathong are traditionally made from cut sections of bamboo, with neatly folded pieces of banana leaf around the edge, giving the appearance of a lotus leaf. Each must be decorated with a candle, an incense stick, and some flowers, though many are more elaborate. Often some grains of sand and good luck charms are placed on the Krathong, and a few coins are often added; though these usually end up as some young boy's extra pocket money. At home in the water, they swim from Krathong to Krathong and a little brown hand gropes around for what it may contain. These days the convenience and buoyancy of Styrofoam have largely and, unfortunately, replaced traditional materials, as they litter bank and shoreline for weeks after the event.
This year, 2005, the Loy Krathong festival is from November 14 to 16. In Chiangmai, there are raft races on the river on the first day, and boat races for the next two days. The Yee Peng opening ceremony takes place at Tha Pae Gate early on the first evening, followed by a lantern parade and contest at the Night Bazaar. Beauty contests will be held at Tha Pae Gate on the second and last evenings, and parades of individual Krathongs and giant Krathongs start from there on the second and third evenings. Every night, there will be fireworks, Kome Loy launchings, Lanna cultural performances at the Municipal Offices near the river, and, of course, there is nowhere better to loy your own Krathong.
Continued in Loi Krathong Part IV
Only on Sundays
by aussiejen about WALKING STREET MARKET
The Walking Street market only happens on Sundays from 2pm-10pm.
Th Ratchadamnoen is closed to vehicles during this time so you can wander along checking out lots of handicrafts. The quality is better than the night markets I think.
Of course there is always somewhere to stop and have a cold drink and something to eat!
You'll be thoroughly entertained as well. We found some young kids sitting on the pavements playing their musical instruments...loved their photos being taken!
Domestic flights from/to Chiangmai
by suraphona
The domestic fares in Thailand are very cheap in comparing with other countries, for your infos approx. exchange rate for Bank- Notes :
1 EURO=THB 46.-; 1 USD = THB 41.-
(as at March 2003).
There are many flights daily from and to Bangkok with Thai Airways, 2 directflights from/to Chiangrei, another 3 flights to/from Chianrai vis Mae Hong Sorn.
The Oneway Fare from Bangkok is THB 1,900 plus the airport and security taxes.
The Oneway Fare from/to Mae Hong Sorn is THB 420.- plus the airport and security taxes.
The Oneway directfare from/to Chiangrei costs same as to/from Mae Hong Sorn.
But the Onewayfare from/to Chiangrai via or stop Mae Hong Sorn costs THB 505.- plus the airport and security taxes.
There are also the flight offer from another airline "The Bangkok Airways" offering flight to Sukhothai and to Bangkok via Sukhothai.
In Winter Thai Airways offers direct flight to Phuket.
Guess the Cuisine!
by Silvereye about Mr. Chan and Miss Pauline
When my friend first took me to this place I wasn't sure what sort of cuisine they served.....Chinese maybe?......Thai maybe?......Well it's Italian! Don't let the name fool you. This was the first taste of Italian in Chiang Mai and it was quite satisfying ;). Try the inside out pizza....i'm not sure what the actual name is.....but it sure is nice. Enjoy!
Doi Suthep
by imstress
There is a saying, if you have not been to Doi Suthep, you have not been to Chiang Mai. Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is located on the north west part of the city and is the most famous temple in Chiang Mai.
From the city, take the songthaew to outside the Chiang Mai University (THB20) where you may transfer to another songthaew up (THB40) to the windy hill of Doi Suthep.
From where you alight, you could climb 309 steps to reach the pagodas or take the cable car for a return trip of THB20. Entry to the temple costs THB30 for foreigners.
Doi Suthep offers a superb views over the city of Chiang Mai on a clear day. Once inside the temple grounds; visitors must take off their shoes and must be appropriately dressed.
The stupa pagoda or golden chedi is the most photographed monument of Doi Suthep. It is covered with engraved gold plate and stands at 79 feet high and 39 feet across at its base.
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Entrance to Wat Chedi Luang
Tuk-Tuk
3 Buddha statues in the main hall
queens at the airport
