Shortly after the coup, I had a phone conversation with my aunt in Bangkok on our various – and pretty general, by then – opinions about giving the junta a chance, how Thaksin really did have to go, and how Thailand must have a more transparent government. She ended our conversation with, “Pim, Thaksin is one of our nation’s greatest teachers.” For a moment, I was floored. Then, thankfully, she cl … Continued
Plai Boonsaen, a beloved male elephant, died peacefully at age 61 years old earlier this morning. He was a teak logging elephant born in 1964 and last worked logging teak in Petchaboon Province before being sold into the tourism trade when teak logging was banned. He worked at a tourist attraction in Surat Thani for many years before an animal activist monk, Kru Aod, collected 350,000 baht from hi … Continued
The Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, has unveiled newly renovated Intensive Cardiac Care and Stroke Critical Care Units at Sripat Building, designed to meet international hospital standards and provide comprehensive patient care. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Narent Chotirassniramit, Dean of the Faculty, said the renovation was necessary after years of continuous use had deteriorated the facilities … Continued
Governor Thotsapol Phueanudom made an announcement today asking the tourism industry here in Chiang Mai to get ready for the high season. He said that Chiang Mai is now officially a festival city and expects to attract year round tourists to come to featured festivals being highlighted every month as well as the many others occurring in any given day. “We will use the soft power of Chiang Mai’s ri … Continued
Tokyo Siam serves up mini Tokyo pancake rolls from Chiang Mai 89 Plaza and they are drawing in the crowds with their smorgasbord of fillings which cover sweet and savoury favourites as well as some unique new filling recipes. Follow the scent and you will soon be offered a plethora of rolls with prices starting from a very sensible 18 baht each. You can order classic sweet rolls such as the pandan … Continued
Loy Krathong Festival 5th November 2025 at Le Crystal Restaurant Enjoy a special international buffet featuring a wide array of exquisite dishes. various choices, such as Foie gras (2 pieces/person), Fresh oysters, Sashimi, many kinds of salads, Seafood, Cheese, quality steak, assorted desserts, and many more await you, including a glass of a welcome drink. All guests will have a homemade float (K … Continued
Chiang Mai is seeing a surge in tourism activity thanks to the long Chinese National Day holiday and improved weather after recent rains. Since 1st October when China began its week-long national holiday, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Chiang Mai has risen noticeably. Many are travelling as families or in organised tour groups. Hotel bookings have also increased sharply, with occupancy r … Continued
Chiang Mai Governor Thossaphon Phuean-Udom, along with provincial and municipal officials, inspected flood prevention measures in the Chang Khian community around noon today. The municipality has installed additional large water pumps at the Chang Khian floodgate and is preparing to lay new drainage pipes at the Chang Khian–Jed Yod intersection to improve water flow. The new hydraulic diesel-powe … Continued
Chiang Mai’s Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) Park has expanded its collection of animals, adding several rare and beautiful pheasants to its grounds to enhance the park’s appeal as a popular leisure and tourism destination. PAO Chairman Pichai Lertpongadisorn formally received the new additions, which include three pairs of Hume’s pheasants and two pairs of White Eared pheasants from … Continued
Gold prices in Thailand have risen sharply, reaching 60,000 baht per Baht, with hopes it may soon even hit 70,000. Gold shops in Warorot Market are reporting busy trade as people bring their gold in to sell as well as speculators who are rushing to buy. “One customer came in and bought 30 Baht worth of gold as he believed that he would make more money than any money saved in banks,” Chat Soontor … Continued
Most of us don’t recall the escalator inside Warorot Market ever having worked. While the market itself was built 115 years ago, it was around 50 years ago that the escalator was installed, to what we are told was much fanfare at the time—it being one of the first in the North of Thailand. Unfortunately after being in operation for only a few years the escalator broke down and there was no budget, … Continued
