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Mlabri: The Resilient Ones

The land on the road to Ban Boonyuen is scarred. The rolling hillsides previously lush with teak and fruit trees now a barren horizon of dusty, brown mounds and scattered rice cultivations. I tightly hug each turn of the narrow road in anticipation of passing cars, but there aren’t any. The land is a shadow of what it once was, a dense jungle thriving with wildlife and an intricate ecosystem that supported the ways of hunter-gatherers for at least a thousand years. It is obvious, looking at the bare terrain that there’s nothing left to hunt; there’s nothing left to gather.

Roar with the Tigers My first Chiang Mai Football Club Match

No one is breathing. The thousands gathered at the 700th Anniversary Stadium today fall silent as we’re abruptly submerged into one of those magical football moments where time freezes, but a lone ball keeps moving. It glides through the air above the neatly cropped grass of the field when suddenly, shattering the silence and stillness, it collides with the nylon weaves of the goal net and sends the crowd into a fury.

On a Cliff With Josh Morris

Let’s get something straight; Josh Morris is much more than a climber. But for him, climbing is where it all began, the catalyst that would lead to much, much more. When we first meet, I have to force him to don his sunglasses, I just couldn’t recognise him from his pictures online. He laughs, retrieves them from his bag, and the image fits. This is the founder of Chiang Mai Rock Climbing Adventures (CMRCA), an organisation that has transformed Chiang Mai into a climbing destination sought out by adventurers from all over the world.

Far From Safe: Thailand’s Traffic as Fatal as Ever

This April here in Chiang Mai, we welcomed the year 2558 BE with the usual water-soaked Songkran festivities. For most the Thai New Year is a time for celebration, but for an ever increasing number it now marks a period of mourning. Each year hundreds die on the roads during the “seven dangerous days” of Songkran. This year was no different. At least 364 people lost their lives, making Songkran 2015 the most deadly since 2009. These figures come as a blow to the military government, who recently stepped up their efforts to reduce traffic accidents for the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety. Under the UN mandate Thailand must halve its road death rate by the year 2020. Considering the current average stands at 26,000 deaths per year, this is no short order.

Summer Rain Reading

Now that the end of summer is nearing us and the rain clouds are slowly blowing in, its about time we all stock up on a few hearty reads to see us through those wet evenings when leaving the house is off the table. Here are seven of Chiang Mai’s best bookshops, offering romantic fiction to political history and everything else in between.

New to the City

Looking for somewhere new to grab a bite to eat or sit and enjoy a previously unseen angle of your favourite city? Then check out these three new business offering delicious food, exciting new drinks and a new place to see Chiang Mai buzz and thrive.

The Adventures of Tom: June 2015

A chicken’s foot in my soup. A CHICKEN’S FOOT IN MY SOUP! Floating around like a wizened old witch’s claw in amongst the vegetables and lump of congealed blood. I don’t mind the blood, or most of the vegetables, but how can there be any possible benefit, conceivable excuse or imaginable additional taste sensation attached to the culinary abomination that is a severed chicken’s foot? Feet should never be floating in anything, unless they are attached to something that is splashing around in a swimming pool or bobbing about in a Jacuzzi. This is not to in any way deny that Thai food is some of the most delicious on the planet. But, a chicken’s foot…in my soup?

Design Ideas: Suthipa Kiattisarn

The owner of Swoozepop’ Store, Suthipa Kiattisarn, nicknamed Fahsaii, gives us five of her favourite independently designed products you can get right here in Chiang Mai and across Thailand.

Recovering the Lost Vinyl of Thailand

To some the sound track of Thailand is nothing more than a proliferation of earnest but relentless acoustic covers of Wonderwall in coffee shops all over town, but plucked from the dusty corners of libraries, radio station back stock, and forgotten crates in antique shops around the country, record collectors and DJs are rediscovering a funky and freaky era of Thai music that is earning international attention.

Editorial: June 2015

No one likes to be called a hypocrite, let alone admit to being one. And as horrid as it is to admit to, I am one. I wax lyrical on these pages about social responsibility and rules of law…ad nauseam. But I must admit that I’ve not always practiced what I preach.

Trendsetters and Theme Makers

Whacky gambit? Innovative trendsetter? Gimmicky theme? Creative ideas? Brand new styles? Whatever they are, these places are like no other in Chiang Mai, and all deserve your special attention.

Secret Getaways

Whether it’s a mini hotel tucked away in the inner city or a short trip into more natural settings, these three hotels are all found down un-suspecting sois, but are guaranteed to give you a great night’s sleep and delicious breakfasts included.

High Hopes for Chiang Mai’s Art Scene

“In Chiang Mai, things aren’t fixed. Art is fluid here,” said Lyla Phimanrat, founder and curator of Lyla Gallery, Chiang Mai’s newest art space. Lyla debuted her gallery with AN-TI-TLE, a selection from Chiang Mai artist Mit Jai Inn. Lyla guides me through the pieces; vast, paint-splotched canvases on the floor and wall, welded steel tumbleweed like sculptures and metre-high free-standing canvas scrolls.

Thailand’s Biggest Music Export: Nakadia

This month I’m going to look slightly outside the borders of the North and look at one of the biggest success stories to come out of this country. As the electronic scene here grows, so too have local talents that are starting to see recognition on a worldwide scale.

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

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