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CityGames: Connecting with Chiang Mai’s Gaming Scene

Once confined to the family rumpus room or occasionally dusted off to help while away the time during long school holidays, board games and card games are enjoying a global renaissance. Even geek staples like Dungeons & Dragons and myriad other role-playing games have burst forth from angst-ridden tween and teen bedrooms to hold sway over cafes and other newly declared ‘gaming locations’, with Chiang Mai being no exception.

Voluntourism: the good, the bad and the ugly

Nicole’s fingers hovered above the keyboard and a blank Google search awaited her inquiry. With a few keystrokes, the words ‘volunteer in Southeast Asia’ appeared into the search bar. She pressed enter, and within seconds, nearly 800,000 results popped in to view. Work with Orphans in Cambodia, one beckoned, while another told her to Build Homes in Bali! As a university student studying early education, the choice to volunteer as an English instructor was easy. A few short months later, she found herself boarding a plane from Michigan to Chiang Mai to teach at a Thai school for four weeks.

Korean Grill, Mountain Burger and All Things Rice

Just an eclectic cluster of cool little eateries we discovered this month.

Exotic Cuisines

Some exotic restaurants for those of us needing a respite from somtam and noodles.

Do We Have a Flood Problem?

It had been a relatively mild summer. The odd storm offered some respite from the unbearable heat and choking pollution, and by mid-May there were signs of the imminent monsoon season. Reports from the Meteorological Department assured us that we would have a healthy amount of rain this year, and that the droughts of 2015-16 was a thing of the — temporary — past. Many of us went to bed on the 18th of May happily surprised to be woken up by the sounds of torrential rains in the middle of the night. By 7am, however, the honeymoon with the monsoon was over for some as numerous areas in the city were up to a metre deep in water. As authorities rushed around setting up pumps and building sandbag banks, social media led the blame game, with digital fingers pointing at an assortment of targets. It was to take around 24 hours for the city to be drained of its excess water and for authorities to begin to explain how they were caught so unaware. Since then there has been fear of another flood; many of us remembering the great damage caused in 2005 when the water spilled out of the Ping River causing around 5 billion baht in damage to the local economy.

What Sex Workers Want You to Know

On its surface, Can Do Bar seems like your average after-hours watering hole. Shelves of liquor bottles shimmer under neon signage, and the latest pop chart-toppers drift out from the loudspeakers. Despite its comfortingly nondescript appearance, it is the only bar of its kind in Chiang Mai: it’s run entirely by sex workers.

Absolute Wellness with Absolute Health

About 70-80% of our immune system is most active in the gut and digestive tract. That is how important our digestive system is. It not only feeds us by extracting all the things it needs from our food, but also is the place where all the bad stuff is kept at bay. But with great power, comes great responsibility. Everything we eat affects the behaviour of our immune system and how our body works, from chewing all the way to digestion. Good eating habits promote a heathly body and strong immune system, and food with poor nutritional value can quickly cause our body to deteriorate, along with our immune system too.

My Thai Driving Licence

This month I thought I’d present my lecture on something useful. Last month I finally decided to go all legal and get myself a proper Thai motorcycle licence. The below might be helpful for those who are perhaps thinking of doing the same.

7 things to do after midnight that does NOT involve alcohol!

Although Chiang Mai is still holding onto its vibrant, lively nightlight despite the midnight Cinderella curfew, sometimes a night off the booze is just what you need. Whether you’re a night owl or just not looking for a drink, here are some things you can do after midnight that does not involve alcohol.

An Unexpected Hemp Revolution in Thailand

As Western countries edge closer and closer to hemp and cannabis legalisation, Thailand is quietly and tentatively following suit. Following the vilification of cannabis and hemp caused by the American presence in the region in the late sixties, Thailand and her neighbours introduced harsh prison sentences, and even death penalties for the consumption and dealing of the drug. Almost half a century later, new, and more progressive attitudes are finally sprouting up like toadstools across Thailand. This year, laws have already been passed that will see hemp become a fully commercial crop within the next three years, and legislation regarding decriminalisation and re-classification of cannabis is currently under review, with positive results predicted within the next two years. Northern Thailand has been given the honour to lead the hemp revolution, with a rich history of cultivation among Hmong and other highland cultures making this the logical locale to begin, and starting with those who know best.

The Coffee Club

Beginning its life in Brisbane in 1989, The Coffee Club has grown and grown, finding its footing in Thailand back in 2010. Finally, we northern locals can get a taste of one of Australia’s favourite all-day cafes without trekking to the capital, a place which brings world-renowned hip café culture to compete in Southeast Asia’s coffee capital, Chiang Mai.

An interview with the US Consul General, Jennifer Harhigh

It has been almost a year since Jennifer Harhigh was appointed the United States Consul General for Chiang Mai. We were curious as to what she has been working on during this time and thought it was time we sat down for a chat.

Editorial: July 2017

Who’s a litterbug? Well, judging from the vile amount of gunk and gore being dredged out of our drains and from our city canals over the past few weeks, far too many of us.

A Revolutionnary Innovation: Protein-Free Botox

Aesthetic medicine is developing at a rapid pace, with new research and technology offering physicians training and tools to better care for their patients’ beauty and skin requirements. It can sometimes therefore be quite bewildering and intimidating for the novice client seeking aesthetic treatments in a great sea of clinics, doctors, treatments and medicine.

More From Citylife

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

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

Three victims get money back following cyber scam 

Sun 7th Sep

Pol Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwphan, Commissioner of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), presented refund checks totaling 424,168 baht to three victims of call centre scams. In the first case, a victim was lured through a Facebook page offering free tea and invited to a Line group promising rewards for money transfers. Police arrested a suspect in Chiang Mai and froze 194,480 baht of the … Continued

Concert in Bangkok raises money for northern forest project

Sun 7th Sep

Thailand Cultural Centre hosted “Concerto of Giving: Virtuoso, Voices and Vision” raising over 400,000 baht for northern projects. This charity concert was organised by the Piano Academy of Bangkok in collaboration with the 159 Chamber Orchestra, the RoLD Fellows network, the Design for Society Centre at Chulalongkorn University (CUD4S), and sponsoring partners. The performance featured 20 interna … Continued

Tourism declines in Chiang Mai, authorities prepare new campaign

Fri 5th Sep

The number of tourists in Chiang Mai has declined. From April to June 2025, the number of Chinese tourists dropped by over 30 percent, raising serious concerns within the local tourism sector. Phatthanong Na Chiang Mai, Deputy Governor for Asia and South Pacific Marketing at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, stated that approximately 6.7 million tourists visited Chiang Mai in the first six months … Continued

Artistry in bloom at Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

Fri 5th Sep

As one of the Lanna capital’s most beautiful hotels – with tranquil lawns that front the Mae Ping River, Zen courtyards, and a magnificent teak mansion that once served as the British consulate – Anantara Chiang Mai Resort is the perfect stage for artistry. On 6 and 13 September, music scholars and students from Prem International School will serenade guests at The Verandah at 1921 House. Highligh … Continued

All hands on deck to rebuild Ban Pang Ung village

Fri 5th Sep

The cleanup of residents’ homes and the entire waterway at Ban Pang Ung in Mae Chaem, after the recent flood and landslide, has made progress. Forty households in disaster-prone areas have requested relocation. The Forest Resource Management Office No. 1, Provincial Office of Natural Resources and Environment Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Irrigation Office, Chiang Mai Department of Public Works and Town … Continued

Mandarin ducks, coy fish and Pygmy goats now added to the flock

Wed 3rd Sep

Following the success of the geese at the moat and the swans at PAO’s park, the PAO has now added ten pairs of mandarin ducks to the park. The ducks were donated by Pa Miang Sub-district in Doi Saket. Not only that the Zoo Aquarium has now donated 100 coy fish to the same lake as the mandarin ducks, in hopes of pleasing the public even further.  As to the Pygmy goats also added to the park by the … Continued

Pioneering soy bean research by Chiang Mai University picked up by anti-ageing industry  

Wed 3rd Sep

Regional Science Park North, Chiang Mai University held a press conference to announce the licensing of its soy extract tablet and skin cream to Winona International Co., Ltd. The university also signed an MOU with the company to enhance research and development of health innovations for practical use in industry and society. Assoc. Prof. Supanimit Teekachunhatean, M.D., Ph.D., Head of the Clinica … Continued

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