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From Rags to Riches: The B2 Hotels Success Story

Pichai Chawla, 46, is the owner of the B2 hotel group, a successful chain of budget hotels, soon to number 23 branches throughout Thailand and beyond.

Chiang Mai Sign City ภาษาไทย

คูเมืองของเราตอนนี้ดูสวยงาม ล้อมรอบไปด้วยต้นไม้ที่แผ่กิ่งก้านสาขาในทุกช่วงฤดูร้อน เจ้าหน้าที่ตกแต่งสวนต่างปฏิบัติหน้าที่จัดแต่งและแต่งเติมแปลงดอกไม้รอบๆ คูเมือง เขตเมืองเก่ากำลังจะถูกบูรณะให้กลับมาดูดีขึ้นในไม่ช้า สิ่งเหล่านี้เป็นผลมากจากการบังคับใช้กฎระเบียบต่างๆ นั่นเอง ไม่ว่าจะการจัดระเบียบการควบคุมความสูง การออกแบบและแนวทางการใช้สีของอาคาร สิ่งเหล่านี้กำลังจะถูกปรับปรุงให้ดีขึ้น และเงินภาษีของประชาชนกำลังถูกใช้ไปกับการพัฒนาเชียงใหม่ในหลายๆ ด้าน

Waewdao Sirisook: Lanna and the Mirror

“No matter where I go, or what I do, I always want to come back here,” explains Waewdao Sirisook fondly, gesturing to the sunny, bustling streets of Chiang Mai that surround the coffee shop where we meet. Waewdao has been dancing for over 20 years, a passion that has jettisoned her around the globe, a skill that can be seen in the slightest of her movements, a connection to her body evident in the nonchalant but elegant wave of her hand. “The people here, no matter how I perform, no matter what kind of dance it is, come out and support me. I will always come back to show them what I’ve learned, no matter what.”

The Adventures of Tom: July 2015

I begin this month with an apology. Once again, an eagle-eyed reader has spotted a glaring error in my scribblings. I thank that reader for taking time out of what I can only assume is a very busy life for pointing out that witches do not have claws, as I suggested in last month’s article, but hands – because they need opposable thumbs for gripping their broomsticks, apparently. I would like therefore to publicly apologise to that reader – and of course all witches. Am I an idiot or what?

Chiang Mai Sign City

Our moat is looking pretty, lined with beautiful trees which explode into vibrant hues every summer. The city’s gardener is doing a fine job setting up and maintaining flower beds in little pockets every where. The old city is being polished and shined, thanks to the many new rules and regulations being enforced such as height restrictions, design controls as well as colour palette guidelines. Good things are being done and in many cases the public money is being used wisely. But what is the point of planting beautiful trees, setting up flower beds, renovating architecture and cleaning up the city if all of it is overshadowed, literally, by billboards?

Zudrangma Records & Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band: 21st Century Molam

In my relatively short time here in the Kingdom, Thai music is one thing that interests me greatly, yet it seems to be, for me at least, a very difficult genre to really sink my teeth into. The few stores at Kad Suan Gao that I’ve found that have LP’s have a limited selection and the records aren’t exactly cheap. But every now and then I’ll hear a dusty radio in a som tam restaurant with some catchy music and I can appreciate the musical heritage of this place. But these are deep waters.

24 Hours in Mae Sot

Chocks away! We shook tentatively on the breeze in a small 12 seater Cessna 208B Grand Caravan as its tyres kissed the tarmac goodbye and we slowly climbed into the candy floss cloud filled sky. The flight was to be one of two in just 24-hours, after Citylife was invited to experience Mae Sot; a hidden gem on the border of Burma, with beautiful secrets, often missed by your local and international traveller alike.

Design Ideas: Nipan Chawcharernpon

Nipan Chawcharernpon, 26, Video Producer and Video Post-Production shows us some of his move favourite items.

Golden Years in a Flawed Paradise

On the surface Chiang Mai appears to be a wonderful place to retire. But as Sawang Kaewkantha, Executive Director of the Foundation for Older Person Development pointed out, there is another side to the coin. Beneath the sabai life, the tropical weather, and all the pleasantries that make Chiang Mai attractive to retirees are a number of issues that make the city a challenging place to live out the autumn of life.

Editorial July 2015

We are inundated by advertising; and no, the irony is not lost on me. Whether by emails, in text messages, on Facebook, online, on television and radio, or in print, everywhere we look, we are told that we need to whiten our skin, blacken our hair, de-yellow our teeth. We’re urged to detox, retox and get botox. We’re seduced by images of luxury cars, penthouses, trips to Europe, if only we’re willing to put ourselves just that little further into debt. Temptations, temptations…

Dazzling Jewellery Displays

Dazzle and sparkle with some new jewellery or add some ornate decorations to your home from one of these three exquisite jewellers in the city.

Stores That Have Everything

Check out these three stores that are bound to serve you whatever you are looking for, no matter how wacky and weird it may be. Party accessories, fancy dress hire and a sea of second hand ‘stuff’ means nothing, however amazing, is beyond reality here in Chiang Mai.

New City Menus

Sink your teeth into some exciting new menus our city’s chefs are producing inspired by world cuisines ranging from Spanish tapas, Japanese curries to all American burgers.

City7: Workspaces

Brainstorming? Conceptualising? Banging heads together? You need a place to work! This month we’ve found the seven best work spaces to buckle down and get serious with your team, or pull up your boot straps and hit the books. With plenty of brain food to go around and the focused, productive atmosphere you need, it’s time to get stuff done!

Feeling Board?

There I was, stuck in a gas station, zombies banging at the door and only a pile of garbage and a small knife to determine my fate. The atmosphere is tense and tentative. One false move and I’ll lose the last bag of medical supplies that I desperately need to get back to camp. I roll…I get bitten and I die. The medical supplies are lost; a harsh blow to our remaining zombie apocalypse survivors. I pass the dice to the right, bringing my disastrous turn to an end. I order a coffee, take a breather, and begin to hatch a new plan for my only surviving character, vowing to make up for my poor choices that left me dying in a pool of zombie blood.

A Fundamental Good: All Saints Inclusive Church

Matters concerning gender and sexual orientation have not been easy for the Christian Church. The church is still divided on what’s fundamentally the right way to be, just as sections of the hoi polloi – after all this so-called cultural modernisation we’ve ostensibly embraced – still denounce or renounce the way some people just are. It’s a sin, say some denominations such as the Evangelical Covenant Church, concerning homosexuality; while the Roman Catholic Church has merely called being gay a ‘moral disorder’ that is part of the devil’s wicked scheme. And while some progressive measures have been taken in the name of LGBT rights and the church, such as an actual ‘Inclusive Church’ being formed; the acceptance of gay marriage (notably, recently in Ireland), or denominations forming their own branches of the church that are more in tune with human rights, it looks like in many good church-goers’ eyes you are destined for an afterlife in the eternal fire simply for loving or lusting after someone whom they say you shouldn’t.

More From Citylife

Truck crash leaves one dead, power infrastructure severely damaged

Wed 10th Sep

A pickup truck lost control and crashed into high-voltage power poles on Nong Ho Road in Chang Phueak, resulting in 52 power poles collapse in a row. Among them, 24 poles carried 115 kilovolts. The damage extended over approximately one kilometer, affecting around 20 houses. Fortunately, no residents in the area were injured. However, both passengers in the pickup truck were seriously injured. Res … Continued

Flash flood hit Mae Rim

Wed 10th Sep

Heavy rainfall in Mae Rim caused flash floods from the highlands of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park to overflow onto Chotana Road in front of the Pack Squadron. The poor drainage systems led to traffic congestion, and several vehicles had engine damage while driving through floodwaters. As of 11 am, water levels have dropped. However, further rainfall could lead to flash flooding. In response, Don Ka … Continued

Nurse daughter joins pilot father in first flight as a volunteer Sky Doctor 

Tue 9th Sep

Lt. Col. Yongyuth Sawangthong, commander of the Pha Muang Task Force, and his daughter, Thachaphan “Khaimook” Sawangthong, a nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Nakhon Ping Hospital, proudly serve together as part of the Thai Sky Doctor team. On her very first mission, Thachaphan joined her father who piloted the helicopter to safely transport a patient by air. Working side by side, they … Continued

Car crash brings down power lines, injures two

Tue 9th Sep

A pickup truck accident occurred when it lost control and crashed into a roadside electric pole in front of Him Kong Restaurant on Nong Ho Road in Chang Phueak, causing over 10 large high-voltage power poles to collapse across nearly one kilometer. The fallen poles damaged nearby houses and shops and blocked traffic. A fire also broke out at Him Kong Restaurant shortly after the crash. Two men, bo … Continued

Infinity Star Language School Opens New Branch at Kad Farang, Hang Dong

Tue 9th Sep

Infinity Star Language School is proud to announce the grand opening of its newest branch on the 2nd floor of the Kad Farang Village in Hang Dong, located inside the Rimping Supermarket building. The school is dedicated to helping students of all ages build strong language foundations for a brighter future. Approved by the Ministry of Education, Infinity Star Language School is led by School Direc … Continued

Shops stocking up in anticipation of impending half-half policy 

Tue 9th Sep

Retail shops across Chiang Mai are beginning to stock up on more goods, especially household items and daily necessities in anticipation of the upcoming “Half-Half” co-payment scheme, prepared to launch this October under Anutin’s government. Vendors at Siriwattana Market expressed hope that the program will roll out as soon as possible, noting that it provides benefits for both local businesses a … Continued

Miss International Queen 2025 officially kicks off in Chiang Mai

Tue 9th Sep

The Miss International Queen 2025 competition has officially launched in Chiang Mai, reinforcing Thailand’s status as a premier cultural tourism destination and enhancing the country’s soft power on the global stage. This year, 23 stunning contestants from 23 nations received a heartfelt Lanna-style welcome as they embark on a series of pre-pageant activities designed to immerse them in Thailand’s … Continued

New Chiang Mai Governor seeks blessings for a good start

Tue 9th Sep

Thotsapol Phueanudom, the newly appointed 42nd Governor of Chiang Mai Province, and his wife paid their respects to sacred objects inside the Chiang Mai Provincial Hall to seek blessings for good fortune. The worship began at the Singh Monument, regarded as the city’s lion, and continued to the Chiang Mai Provincial Government Center, where they paid homage to the royal monument of King Chulalongk … Continued

Maejo University develops eco-friendly artificial stones for sustainable landscaping

Mon 8th Sep

Maejo University has developed an innovative and eco-friendly artificial stone made from recycled materials to replace natural stone in landscaping. The Faculty of Architecture at Maejo University, in collaboration with architecture students and interested parties, has developed lightweight and environmentally friendly artificial stones made from recycled materials, including fabric scraps, foam, … Continued

Many Buddhists complain about lazy monks who won’t walk to receive alms

Mon 8th Sep

In the early morning at Chiang Mai Gate Market, Buddhist monks can be seen standing and waiting for people to offer them food, instead of walking on alms rounds as is customary. Each monk remains in place until his alms bowl is full, then transfers the food into a bag and continues standing until late. Local residents reported that monks have been collecting alms at Chiang Mai Gate Market for many … Continued

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