Home Citylife CityNews CityNow!
CityLife Logo
Spoon and Fork Logo

City Buzz: May 2013

Chiang Rai is abuzz with creativity, and with that comes a variety of exciting new places to eat and drink. Here are a few new hotspots to get you started.

Music Box: May 2013

Starting with The Polyphonic Spree, there was an early 2000s trend of American indie rock bands with more members than could fit on a stage. These so-called ‘collectives’ of often 20-plus musicians and singers seemed to use their size as more of a gimmick than an actual benefit to the group’s sound.

This is Thailand: May 2013

For those of you with questions regarding Thailand, Thai culture, history, tourism, laws, rules, food, nightlife, subcultures, dating; generally anything as long as it is relevant, we have a panel of experts ready to respond to all your enquiries.

The Life of Wine

You, like me, have probably had cause to mutter recently: ‘Christ it’s filthy hot in Chiang Mai’, while coughing up a lung or two and wondering if a trip to the optometrist might be in order because you can’t see quite as well as you used to. Because most of us feel like we have a permanent hangover in this dirty heat, I have decided that this month we should take a brief look at wines with slightly less alcohol in them.

Your Say: May 2013

 • Conflicting Criticisms  I have to say I agree with some of the remarks made by Terry Reardon in February’s Citylife, although not his solutions. Your content seems to have lost its way, the articles headlined having little to do with Chiang Mai; they have become the sort of anodyne pieces that can be found in any magazine Please focus on Chiang Mai, there are enough local problems and contentio … Continued

The Curiosities of Cambodiana

How many journalists have been assaulted by North Korean bodyguards while conducting a video interview with a king in a country far from Pyongyang?

City Talk: May 2013

01 Anan, 49, Writer, Thai The temporary street art performed at Three Kings Monument last year. There were 3D paintings and it surprised me because I’d never seen something like that before. I didn’t even know it was possible! 02 Zhang Yan, 23, Student, Chinese Lost in Thailand, because the film shows the different sides of Thailand in a funny way, such as the traditional customs, foods and landsc … Continued

Design Ideas

Love or Something Like It

God doesn’t exist. The air whooshed from my lungs as I allowed the thought to rise to the surface of my consciousness, giving in to the struggle I had worked months to keep at bay. I broke into a cold sweat, momentarily paralysed by both fear and exhilaration.

Keeping the Faith

In spite of being named after a Buddhist temple, Chiang Mai’s Wat Gate area is, surprisingly, home to a thriving Muslim community. Walking around, you pass by men in white caps and women in flowing headscarves. There is the green and white mosque audible by its haunting daily calls to prayer and visible by the high dome topped by a minaret.

Rebecca Weldon on the Cultural Evolution of Chiang Rai

“When I first moved to Chiang Rai in the early 80s, the city’s cultural events consisted of parades blaring international and Thai pop tunes carrying along beauty queens in white tulle western style dresses on foam and plastic floats,” recalls Rebecca Weldon of her early years in the northern city.

Dancing with Your Imagination

“TCDC is an incubator for ideas,” said Apisit Laistrooglai, national director of the Thailand Creative and Design Centre (TCDC), at the centre’s official opening last month. “It encourages dancing with your imagination.”

Bridge Over Coloured Water

Chiang Mai’s little sister, Chiang Rai, long known as little more than a backwater base for trekking, is ready to show the world its true colours – a whole artful mix of them, in fact.

Clients’s Spot

Oasis Spa Baan Saen Doi Heaven is a place on earth, and it can be found at Oasis Spa Baan Saen Doi, the renowned spa chain’s latest Chiang Mai locale. From the moment you enter the property, a teakwood palace ripe with Lanna flavour and surrounded by lush gardens, trickling fountains and mountain views, you’ll feel the worries and stresses of daily life fall away. Tucked away in a quiet, tree-line … Continued

City 7: Live Music

Chiang Mai is full of live music, from jazz to pop to Thai country. Here are just a few of the city’s top rockin’ venues. It was hard for us to pick just seven, so we cheated a little…

Forget the Furby, Pass the Prints!

Amidst the ancient temples and modern souvenir stalls, Chiang Mai is a city on the rise, growing ripe with youthful culture and a broad mix of people coming here to travel and live. Walking down any given street you’ll see a hodgepodge of fashion choices, from backpackers wearing the ubiquitous printed harem pants and Chang singlets (come on guys, it’s not a uniform!) to local teens sporting the latest version of anime character Arale’s winged trucker hat, to chic young co-eds in gauzy tops and patterned leggings (regardless of temperature). While diverse and interesting, the city’s fashion palette does show a preponderance of trends, with various pockets of culture looking as though they all called each other the night before to coordinate their outfits.

Milk Bag Magic

Every afternoon for six months, I heard the same thing from twenty four tiny faces punctuated with shiny black eyes, whining in unison: “Teachuuuuur.” It was like a mantra, delivered in a way that only Prathom Four  students can really get away with – dorable and, as a result, terribly, terribly manipulative. “Teacher…gin nom?” Milk. They wanted to drink milk during class, just like they did eve … Continued

Shoot Cameras, Not Guns

Diana Sabreen originally came to Thailand to rock climb. A professional photographer living in Colorado, USA, she was invited by some friends to join in a kind of working holiday to take some photos, enjoy a good workout and relax amidst the country’s famous mountain vistas. The trip was ultimately cancelled, but Diana decided she still wanted to take the journey to Thailand by herself. This was about seven years ago.

Editorial: May 2013

She was wailing, sobbing uncontrollably, her face twisted in despair. My heart went out to her. I didn’t know her from Eve, but this well dressed woman in her mid twenties, very pretty under the streaked mascara and smeared lipstick, was blubbering inconsolably about her loss. We passersby were looking on with great concern. She had obviously just lost someone. “But what am I going to do without mun? (Mun in Thai is anything from a very close ‘she’ or a ‘he’ to a mere ‘it’.) Mun has been with me for years. I don’t know where to start,” she moaned to the increasing distress of a gathering crowd.

More From Citylife

Chiang Mai has passed a critical stage in the first flood situation

Fri 18th Jul

Chiang Mai has passed a critical stage in the first flood situation. Last night, Mayor Assanee Buranupakorn announced through the Chiang Mai Municipality Facebook page that “Currently, a large mass of water from the north has flowed through Chiang Mai Municipality. It is expected that the Ping River level will gradually decrease to normal.” The water level at point P.1 near Nawarat Bridge peaked a … Continued

Ping River rises, expected to peak at 6 pm

Thu 17th Jul

The Ping River continues to rise and is expected to peak at 6 pm. The Royal Irrigation Department has confirmed that the situation has not yet reached a critical point. Meanwhile, locals are closely monitoring the water level with concern. The mass of water from Chiang Dao District has reached Chiang Mai. The water level at the P.1 measurement station at Nawarat Bridge has continued to rise. As of … Continued

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

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.