City7: Coffee Shops
Many people in Chiang Mai stick to cafes they know for fear of the unknown (or bad coffee), but while no one can deny the awesomeness of Ristr8to or Akha Ama, local javaficionado Laura Gibbs is here to present you with seven great new cafes worth checking out this year. Visit Laura at Chiang Mai Coffee Culture Review (www.chiangmaicoffeeculture.blogspot.com) and check out her new coffee blog on Ci … Continued
Clients’ Spot
Tichaa Tearoom by Harnn This new addition to the Nimman neighbourhood has already garnered quite a bit of attention for its gorgeous, Silk Road-inspired architecture and décor, organic teas, yummy food and fabulous health and beauty products. Enter the shop and you’ll immediately be enveloped in rich and delicious scents as you browse the offerings on hand, from body lotions to soaps to prettily p … Continued
City Buzz
Lan Laow Pub & Restaurant What is better than delicious spicy Thai food, booze and live music? Not much, and you can find it all and more at this laid-back new Santitham gem, perfect for large groups. Settle down inside the spacious teak house, the open-air patio or the side garden with pretty greenery and fairy lights and enjoy the live guitar duo that plays Thai classic rock and western oldi … Continued
CityGuide: Jed Yod
Local expert : Supang “Ploy” Ponlabute, 26 Occupation: General Manager at Sangdee Gallery & Cafe What do you like most about this neighbourhood? It’s not far from the city centre, easy to get to Maya Mall, with cheap local food and great places to hang out if you get bored of the Nimmanhaemin area. What do you like least about it? I think this area is pretty packed in the evenings and of cour … Continued
City Talk
Christian, 27 Teacher, Danish I think that the city should stop building all those big shopping malls and be more focused on spending the money on better preservation and maintenance of the monuments. If I was Chiang Mai’s mayor, I would invest in better infrastructure. Nicolas Gantois, 22 Citylife Intern, Belgian I would invest more money in child welfare and education. I see children begging and … Continued
CityGuide: Chang Klan
Why did you choose this neighbourhood? It is near the Ping River, I like the old fashioned wooden houses by the river, the lovely black Iron Bridge, and there are always activities here to keep anyone from being bored. What do you like least about it? I think that there are too many cocktail lounges, massage parlours and karaoke bars. Who lives here? Mainly tourists and business owners. Best eve … Continued
What’s Happening?
ARTS AND EXHIBITIONS Inside Asia Now – 9th February @ 3rd Floor, Central Plaza Chiang Mai Airport 053 999 199 ext. 1308 Chiang Mai Photographic Group will host a photography exhibition from now until 9th February, featuring more than 50 photos taken in many areas in Asia to show its culture and people’s way of life. Birds & Habitats Exhibition Now – 28th February @ Chiang Mai City Art and Cu … Continued
City Buzz
Word of warning: the Buddhist holiday Makha Bucha Day just so happens to coincide with Valentine’s Day this year, meaning the selling of alcohol is technically illegal on February 14th. So, if your evening of love requires a dose of, ahem, liquid romance, you might want to consider celebrating the day before or after. Regardless, we’ve got plenty of romantic bistros, charming spas and stylish salo … Continued
Back on the Block
Tassanai Buranupakorn, 39, was reelected as mayor of Chiang Mai for another four year term on the 3rd November 2013, after resigning eight weeks prior to the end of his first term to mourn the death of his uncle, Member of Parliament Pakorn Buranupakorn. The Buranupakorn family are heavily involved at major levels of public office in Chiang Mai. Uncle Pakorn was mayor in the late 90s before becomi … Continued
Fighting Fit
Many expats and Thais in Chiang Mai are familiar with the Good Morning Chiang Mai café. Its distinctive trendy-cum-retro atmosphere provides a welcome escape from the ever-increasing hustle and bustle of the old city. Walk in the door and you’re always greeted with a smile and a friendly “Good morning!” as you order up an avocado omelette or a stack of gingerbread pancakes. But perhaps it is the … Continued
Behind the Mask
My heart weeps. My heart weeps because human ideals and traditions have been replaced with consumerism and greed. We live in a world where success is shown through appearance. Often someone’s success can be shown through their possessions, for example we often associate someone with a sports car as being successful and wealthy. Society has given rise to unhealthy spending habits. We have been enc … Continued
Clients’ Spot
Punna Oasis In the Lanna language, “punna” is a word that means town or community, and that is the core idea behind Punna Development. From the first location off Nimman, to two more in front and behind Chiang Mai University, all of Punna’s condominium complexes provide cosy yet cosmopolitan living in prime Chiang Mai locations. The husband and wife team behind the company has stuck to their origi … Continued
City Talk
Andrew Smith, 26Electrician, English My worst 14th of February was when I paid for my girlfriend and me to stay in a luxury hotel. We had champagne, chocolate, strawberries and roses… But she was not “in the mood.” I mean, seriously!?!? Anuar Valle, 23MMA Trainer, Mexican Last year I took my girlfriend to have dinner and then we went to the theatre. It wasn’t that special but my girlfriend was! … Continued
City7: V-Day Getaways
01 Sukantara Cascade Resort Layers of cascading waterfalls, fall-side spa for him and her in tandem, cosy nooks to canoodle in and private dining not near but ON the Taad Yao waterfall in Mae Rim. www.sukantara.com 02 Fern Paradise Snuggle up in your own private rice barn at this Sansai hideaway and make out discreetly amidst a rather impressive number of ferns. www.fernparadise.com 03 Khun … Continued
Editorial
Living in Nimmanhaemin, I see a lot of tourists, mostly Thai and many foreign, and these days especially, loads from China. It’s generally all good, business owners enjoy their shares of the pie and the road is a bustling – if bursting at the seams – hub of activity and commerce, great for those of us who enjoy going out and about. It’s adorable to watch tourists take pictures of each other in var … Continued
Client Spot
Nimman Bar & Grill Located inside the posh Kantary Hills hotel, caf? and shopping complex, the Nimman Bar & Grill is one of the most famous restaurants on Nimmanhaemin Road, and for good reason! Decorated in a modern and relaxing style with wooden furniture and green grass in front of the restaurant’s balcony, Nimman Bar & Grill is the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner or … Continued
City Buzz
A new year means a new start, so this is the perfect time to detox, distress and bring sexy back. Check out these spots and start getting your face, skin and body in tip-top condition. Hello 2014! Pure Natural Skincare Center Here, you can rest assured that you will receive the best all-natural treatment for your skin. Whether you want to erase blemishes or burn fat via massage, Pure … Continued
What’s Happening?
ARTS AND EXHIBITIONS: HM THE KING EXHIBITION 20th – 27th January @ Chiang Mai University 082 926 6485 The exhibition portrays 50 years of HM the King’s works via documentary, books, photography contest, and clip video contest. For more information: www.facebook.com/YangPhrabathThiYatra. “THE COOPERATION” EXHIBITION” 21st January – 30th March @ TCDC Chiang Mai 052 080 505 “The Cooperation” ex … Continued
City Talk
Yok Punika, 27 Receptionist and Manager, Thai People tell me I always gook grumpy, so the most ambitious resolution I made was to smile more and since then a lot more people come up to me and talk to me. I’m much more approachable when I smile. Lindsey Unger, 19 Student and Citylife Intern, American My New Year’s resolution and motto has always previously been to keep an open mind. It’s been quite … Continued
CityGuide: Sansai
Sansai This month we visit Sansai with former Citylife staffer Phumiphat “Oat” Jiarajetchai, 34, who now works as a photographer for Home Buyer’s Guide Chiang Mai. Check out his top picks as he shows us around his neighbourhood. What do you like most about your neighbourhood? I love the quiet and the fact that it is simple. Villagers live next to each other as they have for generations. It i … Continued
City7: Rooftop Bars
Roof The weather is perfect and the tourists are invading – what better way to escape the bustle and enjoy the coolness than high above the city lights, at one of these fabulous rooftop bars? 01 The Upper Deck This unassuming little old city hideaway on Sriphum, Soi 1 is tough to spot from street level, but once you climb the narrow staircase to the top, you’ll be rewarded with cosy fairy li … Continued
Editorial
We all want something, whether it is a new iPhone or world peace. As wonderful-sounding as Buddha’s teachings on the cessation of desire are, I have yet to ever meet anyone who doesn’t have them. It is in our nature, and, I suppose, nurture. And no one likes not getting their way. It can hurt, insult and frustrate. But that is part of growing up in life. We learn how to manage the lack of re … Continued
Clients’ Spot
Café de Oasis Thailand’s renowned spa chain, Oasis, boasting nine locations and counting, has now expanded their golden touch to a new venture: a fabulous new café with a decidedly spa-like atmosphere. Located on the cross street just before the massive new convention centre off Canal Road, this is a great new addition to a developing area of the city, perfect for a quick stop on your way to … Continued
City Guide: Chiang Mai Old City
What are the defining characteristics of your neighbourhood? What makes it special? The old city is the most historical area of Chiang Mai city. Surrounded by crumbling terracotta walls, one can easily go back in time and imagine how this old capital of the kingdom of Lanna once appeared. What do you like most about this neighbourhood? The history. I love the old teak wood houses turn … Continued
City Talk
Pooja Kothari, 22 Intern, Indian I would like Santa to give me an amazing job once I leave my internship at Citylife and return to India! Shana Kongmun, 40-something Editor, American Can Santa fix the traffic lights on Nimmanhaemin so they don’t last 20 minutes? That’s what I want for Christmas. Saran Dolpipatpongm, 23, Writer, Thai I want lot of movie tickets so that I never have to buy the … Continued
And the Creativity Oscar Goes To…
We’ve all seen the logo – a colourful, fat and funky city moat – on t-shirts, stickers or as a sponsor of one creative event or another. But even after having written about Chiang Mai Creative City (CMCC) a few times in Citylife, and in spite of its huge following on Facebook and solid brand recognition, many people still scratch their heads over what exactly it is. Simply put, it is an initiative … Continued
What’s Happening?
ARTS AND EXHIBITIONSBAM THAI LANNA ARTS COMPETITIONNow – 4th December@ CMU Art Centre053 218 280, 053 944 833BAM Thai Lanna Arts Competition is being held by the Faculty of Fine Art CMU.NON STILL LIFE BY MAKHA SANEWONG NA AYUTHAYANow – 7th December@ Pongnoi Community Art SpaceArt exhibition that questions the meaning and function of subjects around us – when changed, are they still the same things … Continued
City7: Sandwiches
O joy, thy name is sandwich. In what other form can you pack every one of your favourite foods between two slices of carbohydrate and shove it directly into your mouth? While Thai culture (unlike Vietnamese, see page 54), has not fully boarded the sandwich train, there are plenty of Western-friendly establishments in Chiang Mai that are sure to satisfy your cravings. Here are just a few to check o … Continued
Editorial
We Thais celebrate with gusto and flamboyance. Chiang Mai claims the world’s biggest water fight as well as the most mind-blowing khom loy releases (it is interesting though that a festival born in homage of the rivers has morphed in the past decade to become one which lights up the skies). We eat moon cakes during Chinese New Year (even though we aren’t sure why), we fall hard for the comme … Continued
City Buzz
What’s buzzing now? Tonnes of fabulous new restaurants, coffee shops and hotels all over the city for you to check out and enjoy this holiday season! Magnolia and Pinn Food Society Part of the ever-growing Wine Gallery empire, Magnolia is a charming restaurant serving up freshly baked goods and aromatic coffees and teas in the mornings (well, all day, if you wish), classic Thai and European dishes … Continued