Living with the Forest: Huay Hin Lad Nai’s successful rotational farming
In 2013, Huay Hin Lad Nai a small traditional Karen village of about 20 households nestled at the seam between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, received the Forest Hero Award from the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF). Preecha Siri who was the community leader at the time accepted the award personally in Istanbul.
The Heart Warming Story of Warm Heart Foundation
“What you must understand is, we’re not a normal family,” said Michael Shafer during a visit to the Warm Heart Foundation, found in the mountains of Phrao. Although featured before in Citylife, we have never spent time looking at the foundation as a whole, focusing mainly on their environmental efforts.
Legacy of a White Elephant’s Footsteps
If you have been paying any attention recently, you will see that our city has been dressed up in green ribbons. Chiang Mai is fighting, and the people are taking action on behalf of their sacred and beloved mountain, Doi Suthep. Chiang Mai’s activists have called upon judicial members to move out of the controversial housing estate nearing completion at its foothills, and the courts are stubbornly resisting the people’s demands, using law as a shield against cultural and environmental outrage. It’s hard not to notice that Doi Suthep has been at the centre of the news recently. So, let’s get to know Doi Suthep and figure out what all the fuss is about.
Curse of the Blood Jade: the neighbouring ethnic war we know nothing about
Dressed in their Sunday bests, Chiang Mai’s Kachin residents filled a church in Doi Saket recently, sounds of hymns echoing across the quiet Buddhist village. After service, little girls in princess dresses, women clad in traditional Kachin sarong and men with jaunty turbans, poured out of the church and into the spacious compound that belongs to the community. As the women sat down to a feast cooked and served by their men, they chattered and laughed while being serenaded with song in honour of Mother’s Day.
INA House Indigenous Asia: A hidden cultural gem
Located on the Ping river near the Nawarat branch of Rimping Supermarket, the centre is not only for locals, but welcomes all who wish to come and explore the intriguing cultures of indigenous people in Asia, while at the same time offering a place to support those indigenous people through selling their wares.
The Quiet War Against Kratom: Thailand’s Failed War on Drugs and the Traditional Herb that may Help to Fix It
In response to the failed drug policies, the Justice Ministry announced that it was planning to decriminalise three of the most common drugs within Thailand. Of course marijuana and meth have always been central subjects in the drug policy conversation — but what about kratom?
Moving Forward: Smith Skjolaas, the 13th Junior Dublin Literary Awards Northern Region Runner-up
Citylife Chiang Mai and The Nation organised this year’s northern region’s contest for the 13th Junior Dublin Literary Awards for Thailand this year, with an essay subject ‘moving forward’ that inspired and captivated many amazing writers from all walks of life.
Return to Roots
The last few generations have seen an exodus of people from mountains, jungles, islands, farms and rural areas heading into cities seeking opportunities. Only a few decades ago the vast population of Thailand lived outside cities, often in remote areas with substandard education, health, infrastructure and with little chance for betterment. Interestingly a report by UNESCO revealed that while 50% … Continued
30 Years on and Still Going Strong: Chiang Mai Sixes 1988 to 2018
The Chiang Mai Sixes was first played in 1988 and over the next 30 years, the tournament has become one of the largest amateur cricket competitions in the world, as well as one of the most enjoyable events on Chiang Mai’s social calendar.
The Slow Birth of Thailand’s Alternative Films
Chiang Mai is just like most other cities when it comes to cinema, with a few large chains dominating the scene, often found on the top floor of shopping malls. Their mobile apps pings us to attention when the next Hollywood blockbuster hits the screens and people book tickets, almost like drones, eager to see the poorly produced twelfth instalment of a franchise still trying to make a profit.
Damage Undone: Chiang Mai Women’s Prison Taking a Lead in Reform
In late January, a scoop of journalists were invited to join Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha in her capacity as the United Nation’s Office of Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) Goodwill Ambassador, on her visit to the Chiang Mai Women’s Correctional Institution. We were there because Chiang Mai prison is one of ten prisons in Thailand piloting the ‘Bangkok Rules’, or guidelines for the treatment of female prisoners adopted by the United Nations’ General Assembly in 2010. Citylife had last visited the women’s prison over a decade ago at its old city location and was impressed by the efforts by then-director Nawarat Tanasrisutarat who, through her own initiative, was spear-heading reform by offering a plethora of vocational training as well as opportunities for prisoners to save money by working pre-release. While our visit showed us an institution with numerous progressive agendas being implemented, there was an obvious lack of space, and eventually the overcrowding was so critical the old location was abandoned and inmates moved to its current location opposite the Provincial Hall in 2013. Since then we have been sending periodical letters requesting access, to no avail.
Editorial: March 2018
Justice is a loaded word isn’t it? Does it mean the Old Testament’s eye for an eye or today’s kinder progressive reforms and rehabilitations? The word itself implies a sense of righteousness belied by its application throughout history. An act that can essentially extinguish, or certainly diminish, someone’s entire life in one country or at one time could be an acceptable norm, even lauded, across a border or a few years later — gay marriage, anyone? The confounding duel standard of crime and punishment for the rich and the poor is also a long running and depressing global theme.
One Man’s Vision for Chiang Mai: An Interview with Narong Tananuwat
Over the past quarter of a century, this magazine has featured and referred to Narong Tananuwat countless times, whether it’s to talk about any of his 14 business ventures, ranging from his family’s property and furniture businesses, to his ownership of Modernform, Meechok Plaza and Index in Chiang Mai, Lamphun’s Nikhom Plaza and numerous developments in Vientiane, or his position as a Director of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
Our Most Read Articles of 2017 and a Few of Our Favourites Too
Now that we are in 2018, we thought we’d bring you six of our most read articles last year according to Google Analytics…and a few of our favourites for good measure. This year was packed full of debates, whether its about digital nomads or the future of elephant tourism. We also touched on a bit of history, some pot smoking and some local culture – we love the diversity of interests you have an … Continued
Chiang Mai is a UNESCO Creative City…Now What?
Chiang Mai has a spring to its step now that the high season has arrived along with the (slightly) cooler weather. With the year-long period of mourning for our beloved late King over, we are beginning and tentatively, looking towards the future. So there could be no better time for our city to receive the designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, which was announced on the 31st October 2017 by Director-General, Irina Bokova. We are now one of 116 cities in 54 countries labeled a Creative City with the aim to “create a network at the frontline of UNESCO’s efforts to foster innovation and creativity as key drivers for a more sustainable and inclusive urban development”.
Your Essential Christmas Checklist for Chiang Mai
Christmas in the tropics can be an odd experience for many people used to snowy window ledges, steaming mulled wine, last minute Christmas shopping in the cold and constant in-your-face Christmas songs and décor. So this year we help you to get into the Christmas spirit with all things Christmassy in Chiang Mai so that you are not rushing around on Christmas morning begging for spare crackers from your friends. Whether it’s where to find the perfectly festive wrapping paper, ideas for stocking fillers, where to get a turkey, who makes the best chestnut puree or where to get a Christmas tree…we’ve got you.
Trade Routes, Wars and Tourism: The story of Chinese settlers in Chiang Mai
I began to wonder about the Chinese who live here permanently, wanting to learn more about who they are, what they do and where they came from. After all, there are over two million Thai-Chinese people in Northern Thailand, a region with 11.6 million people, so where did it all begin and what is their story.
Battling Beetles: A Northern Thai Tradition
This is the time of the year when the sounds of small ridged sticks rubbing against logs of wood used to be heard emanating from back yards throughout the north of Thailand. The familiar sounds would be interspersed with the roar of a crowd and was ubiquitous and easily identified in days past. But times have changed and its gentle echoes and resounding cheers have faded…along with any recognition with, and familiarity of the sounds. But if you know where to look, you may still come across this scene, found only in our small corner of the world: men of all ages squatting on the floor in dirty flip flops, dark heads huddled together, focused on a Lilliputian fight as they jeer and cheer. This is the world of Thai rhinoceros beetle fighting, an ancient Northern Thai tradition.
Royal Funeral Schedule at the International Exhibition and Convention Centre Chiang Mai
October 26 marks the day of the Royal Funeral of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej which is being held at Sanam Luang in Bangkok. Across the country there will be ceremonies and flower offerings including Chiang Mai. The Royal Funeral ceremony will take place at the International Exhibition and Convention Centre from 9am to 6am the following day.
How Healthy is Doi Suthep? Citylife follows up on a 2006 article, ‘Doi Suthep in Crisis’
So began my cover story, ‘Doi Suthep in Crisis’ in our August 2006 issue of Citylife. Over a course of three months, I’d interviewed over a dozen people on the ‘health’ of Doi Suthep; from the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the infamous Plodprasop Suraswadi, to the abbot of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep as well as a number of botanists and entomologists. My conclusion was grim; water resources were diminishing, encroachment on national park land was rife, overpopulation had resulted in lack of waste management, wild plants and animals were disappearing, and the mountain was getting ‘sick’. A botanist from Chiang Mai University told us that only about 25% of the park remained somewhat close to its original condition, explaining that the rest was, at best secondary growth, and at worst developed. Coming across that old issue recently, I thought that it was time to revisit this topic and I shall be borrowing liberally from the past to ease the step into the present so that perhaps we can navigate a path towards a healthy future.