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Of Blood and Love: An extraordinary story of a parents’ fight for a son’s survival

It was 1998 and Taveedej and Jeerapa Omaree were checking into a Chiang Mai hospital for a course of IVI fertility treatment. After trying for over eight years, the couple who are the successful owners of The Regent Chiang Mai, a cluster of gated communities totalling over 2,000 houses as well as a hotel, were desperate for a child. It was a long and stressful process, but the treatment was a success and the couple prepared for what would be the happiest day of their lives.

7 Places to go for Craft Beer on Valentine’s

Valentine’s day is upon us again! Why not take your special boo to some of the coolest craft beer hangouts in town?

Visitor Escapes

Escape the heat and send your visitors to check in to a hotel and take a nap after a long day exploring Chiang Mai. With so much to choose from, you’re spoilt for choice.

Stop Complaining and Do Something About It!

The smoky season will soon blanket Chiang Mai, causing serious health issues for residents and visitors. As we all know, the annual smoke that plagues Chiang Mai comes from several sources; forest fires are a major source, along with the smoke from farmers burning their crop residue in open fields.

Arranged Bliss

The anachronistic term arranged marriage conjures up all sorts of, generally negative, images — terrified child brides, life-long servitude, and misogyny. So, when Citylife heard of a happily married couple who had entered into their wedded bliss via family arrangements, we couldn’t resist interviewing them for our Valentine’s issue.

Kengtung: The Heart of the Golden Triangle

Kengtung is the largest of the 33 Shan statelets and for centuries was ruled by Shan sawbwas, similar to Chiang Mai’s jaos, or royalty, who would pay tribute to various powerful kingdoms in the region. Members of its royal family have often intermarried with ours and the families through to today share many relatives with one another.

Copycat Copyshop Cowboys

For students at Payap University, the old photocopy shop couple are well known. Every day they rock up on a black vintage Vespa, both kitted out in matching cowboy-style outfits; double denim one day, leather chaps the next. Chumpol ‘Uan’ Promchitmart, 62, and Saisunee ‘Tuk’ Khampunya, 56, have, for the last 30 years, been working at the university in their little shop. Some would say they are a match made in heaven, others would say the Wild West.

Editorial: February 2017

Our Citylife Garden Fair is going to be spectacular this year! As the event has grown and its ambitions expanded, we have found it to have outgrown our wee media company. Thankfully over the past two years a group of volunteers have stepped up and helped us turn our amateur little af(fair) into something which is going to be quite extraordinary this year.

Adventures of Tom: Suits You

I have just returned from an appointment with my tailor. It’s my first time. For any chap such a statement surely marks a pivotal point in his existence. I now know what all the fuss is about. I finally appreciate why James Bond would never consider ending one daring mission to save the world and starting another before first driving his Aston Martin to Savile Row to visit his tailor and why Michael Caine’s cheeky cockney Charlie Croker would not have considered embarking on The Italian Job without first updating his wardrobe with a bit of well-fitting Carnaby Street chic.

Food City Update

So many restaurants, so much fun to review! Continue your Chiang Mai food odyssey with these latest offerings…

Once Upon a Star: Love of a Groupie

“I cried for three straight months when he left,” said Monthathip ‘Mona’ Thukjai, 24, a pretty young medical technologist at Chiang Mai University, giggling self-consciously. “It was a personal matter and one we weren’t clear on, but I had just bought my ticket to go see him when he left. At first I thought I would cancel, but then I decided that I needed to show my support, so I went anyway.”

More From Citylife

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

Four Rottweilers found shot and abandoned 

Thu 3rd Jul

On 28th June, a Buddhist monk, Phrakru Aod of Wat Chedi Luang, along with an animal welfare volunteer from the ARK Foundation rescued four abandoned Rottweilers found in the forest in the Mae Kam Pong village. The dogs were found in rain-soaked, starving condition and some of which suffered from deep wounds and severely maggot infections that required urgent medical treatment. The rescue team fed … Continued

Hylife Group launches two international innovation platforms

Thu 3rd Jul

Hylife Group launches two international innovation platforms “Hylife Hackathon 2025” and “Hylife Innovation Excellence Awards 2025” to drive Chiang Mai towards becoming a city of innovation, offering over seven million baht in prizes and investment opportunities. Hylife Group officially launches two major international innovation competitions of the year: “Hylife Hackathon 2025” and “Hylife Innova … Continued

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