Home Citylife CityNews CityNow!
CityLife Logo
Spoon and Fork Logo

Adventures of Tom: Some Silliness

The other day, as I reclined in a bamboo hut contemplating the bathers frolicking in the waters of Huay Tung Tao, the sun casting its dying rays across Doi Suthep and a young girl trying to sell me a Doraemon toy, I fell into conversation with a young couple visiting Chiang Mai for their holidays. Having exhausted curious topics like the state of world politics and why Thai tea comes in a bag, something else struck each of us as being a little odd. We had ice cubes in our beer. For the couple, fresh off the ‘plane from the UK, it was odd to be served a glass of amber lager with ice cubes floating in it.

I never got to meet the king. And that is my regret to bear.

Like millions of Thais, however, I have seen him dozens of times. As a child, I used to run excitedly up to the road at the end of our lawn, frantically waving a mini flag, hoping for, and occasionally getting, His Majesty’s attention, as the royal motorcade swept its way to and from Phuping Palace each winter.

Want to be a Writer? Join one of the many support groups in our city

Providing a space to share works with one another, receive critique and talk about literature, writers from all backgrounds with varied experience can get involved. Whether you’re published or just write for fun, all are accepted and embraced. If you’re looking for some direct and honest (but overall positive) feedback on your work, I think it’d be really worthwhile to go along to a meeting.

A Brave New SOTUS: Seniority: Order: Tradition: Unity: Spirit.

Hazing in Thailand is institutional. Most university students will face hazing of some sort or another, from the benign to the deadly. It is a time honoured tradition for freshies at university to undergo weeks, even months, of intense hazing from their seniors. While there have been reports of hazing deaths and torture, on the most part it is an uncomfortable, time consuming, often painful experience which many students go through in the name of bonding with their faculty class mates.

The Rube Band – Fin feat. Mildvocalist

Every now and again I get a handful of promotional CDs that bands from all over the country send to various publications, Citylife being one of them. I usually try to use this space in Citylife to talk about new music and live events in Chiang Mai, but as the nation mourns the loss of His Majesty the King, parties and events have all but vanished, an important part of the mourning process. Although it has left me with an empty space to fill this month, I quickly realised that it was perfect opportunity to dig through the stacks of CDs Citylife gave me and see if any of these singles were worth covering.

Imperial Mae Ping’s Garden Bar

Imperial Mae Ping is now introducing the brand new Garden Bar, packed with delicious food, amazing drinks, live music and a great atmosphere.

Are YOU a Road Rager?

How much does it take to send you into a fit when someone in front of you is swerving between lanes or a nudging their way into your path? Do you blast your horn? Flash a high beam at the lane trespasser? Do you roll down your window and scream obscenities?

Hotel Treats

Whether you are looking for a super personalised boutique experience in the trendy heart of Nimman, an exotic getaway at the mouth of the Mae Sa Valley or a succulent lunch of Dim Sum to induce that afternoon nap, Chiang Mai has it all.

Black Food

Thailand is in mourning, as are we. So instead of our usual colourful City 7 page, we thought we would take a look at some of the colour-appropriate dishes to be found in the city.

Grilled, Steamed, Delivered I’m Yours

Grilling meats on the side of the road with an ice cold beer, tucking into freshly steamed crab or cheese baked lobsters with a glass of wine or blanching the meats of your choice over a shared hotpot – take your pick and turn your dinner into something exciting!

Rustic and Fresh

If you are anything like our Thai CityNews editor, you’ll love these three places in town which are rustic, delicious and make the perfect Instagram post with #nofitler needed.

Rim Tai Kitchen by Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

For truly different Thai culinary flavours and a new dining experience, visit the Rim Tai Kitchen by Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai. Traditional Thai cooking techniques are applied by expert chefs in this beautiful kitchen named after the green natural surroundings of the Rim Tai sub-district of Chiang Mai that the resort is located. Their kitchen is wide, spacious and even offers up cooking classes for those interested in learning more about exquisite Thai cuisine.

Breaking Ground: Chiang Mai to Get a New Park

Wandering around the old city, hunting for ideas, I knew that I wanted to write about art, a scene that is still in its infancy in my home town, and something which has truly excited and inspired me during my short time here. After a few weeks of foot- and finger-work (on my laptop), I learnt that the now abandoned Women’s Correctional Institution behind the Three King’s Monument was the hub of the city’s graffiti, and having walked past the imposing structure a few times, I knew that it’s outer walls had become giant canvases for street art.

More From Citylife

Northern Tourism Federation Launches “Kad MICE” to Strengthen MICE Industry in Northern Economic Corridor (NEC)

Sat 12th Jul

The Northern Tourism Federation of Chiang Mai, led by its President Ms. Warunee Kammeru, has partnered with key stakeholders in the private sector to host a hands-on seminar titled “MICE Pathways in the Northern Economic Corridor (NEC)” under the “Kad MICE” project. The initiative aims to enhance marketing and sales opportunities for the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) indust … Continued

Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel Nominated for TTG Travel Awards 2025

Thu 10th Jul

Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel is honored to announce its nomination for the prestigious TTG Travel Awards 2025. This recognition highlights the hotel’s unwavering commitment to excellence in hospitality, business services, and event management. The hotel has been nominated in the following categories: Best Business Hotel – Thailand Best Meetings & Conventions Hotel – Thailand Supporters are invite … Continued

Two random spot checks reveal safe arsenic levels in Mae Ai District 

Wed 9th Jul

Following media reports of arsenic levels exceeding safety standards in two children, aged 6 and 2, in Mae Ai District, due to regular consumption of fish from the Kok River, a source cited unusually high levels of arsenic in their bodies, raising public concern. On 8 July 2025, Dr. Kittiphan Chalom, Assistant Public Health Doctor of Chiang Mai Province, held a press conference addressing the issu … Continued

Rental bikes collecting dust waiting for tourists 

Wed 9th Jul

Chiang Mai’s tourism industry is currently facing a significant downturn. The decline in foreign visitors has affected various sectors, particularly car and motorcycle rental services. Reports indicate that vehicle rentals have dropped by more than 70%, forcing some operators to temporarily shut down due to unsustainable operating costs. One clear sign of the downturn is on Moon Muang Road near th … Continued

Eyesore blue streetlights promptly removed following public outcry 

Wed 9th Jul

The project to upgrade lighting poles along Highway No. 2025 (Atsadathon Road) has come under public criticism due to the design of the poles. Many have commented that the sculptures look outdated, with colors and patterns that are neither modern nor representative of the Lanna identity. Additionally, some of which are installed in the middle of pedestrian walkways. Following a wave of public conc … Continued

Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Office warns of a handful of monkeypox cases

Mon 7th Jul

The Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Office is closely monitoring a new situation where monkeypox had been found in the province. Officials are providing information to the public to help with self-monitoring and prevention. They empathise that monkeypox is only serious for those with weakened immune system and that the public should not be alarmed, merely informed.  Dr. Waranyu Jamnongprasartp … Continued

Akha Heritage museum by Akhas and for everyone in Chiang Rai

Sun 6th Jul

https://youtu.be/bP6ugEZxesE   Vorreiter founded the Akha Oral Tradition School, two years ago, as Cultural Crossroads Asia’s first outreach project in an ethnic village.  Every week six master Akha musicians share their knowledge of songs, stories, musical instruments, and instrumental craftsmanship with a class of twenty-two Akha students.   Akha Oral Tradition School https://culturalcrossr … Continued

Serow sighting signals healthy ecosystem on Doi Luang Chiang Dao

Fri 4th Jul

The Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary in Chiang Dao District, has released a video showing a young serow foraging near the cliff edge on the summit of Doi Luang Chiang Dao. The footage was captured by a patrol team during a routine quality patrol this morning. Such sightings are rare, as serows are extremely cautious and elusive animals. Pornnarin Khumthong, head of the Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, … Continued

Four Rottweilers found shot and abandoned 

Thu 3rd Jul

On 28th June, a Buddhist monk, Phrakru Aod of Wat Chedi Luang, along with an animal welfare volunteer from the ARK Foundation rescued four abandoned Rottweilers found in the forest in the Mae Kam Pong village. The dogs were found in rain-soaked, starving condition and some of which suffered from deep wounds and severely maggot infections that required urgent medical treatment. The rescue team fed … Continued

Hylife Group launches two international innovation platforms

Thu 3rd Jul

Hylife Group launches two international innovation platforms “Hylife Hackathon 2025” and “Hylife Innovation Excellence Awards 2025” to drive Chiang Mai towards becoming a city of innovation, offering over seven million baht in prizes and investment opportunities. Hylife Group officially launches two major international innovation competitions of the year: “Hylife Hackathon 2025” and “Hylife Innova … Continued

Citylife
Chiang Mai
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Mailing List
  • Contact Us

Copyright 2019 Citylife Group .Co . Ltd. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced using any storage medium without prior written permission of the publisher.
Opinions expressed in Citylife Chiang Mai are not necessarily those of the publisher.