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Thailand’s Organic Concerns: Understanding the complexities of Organic Farming in Thailand

Anyone who frequents local supermarkets and the more popular weekend markets will have noticed that over the past few years, a growing number of ‘organic’ produce are hitting the shelves. Mass produced vegetables and fruits are being tucked out-of-sight on the lower shelves, as these glowing ‘natural’ produce are given centre stage…at a much higher price point of course. Advertised proudly as being organic, natural, clean, safe, and pesticide free, the reality is that many of these terms are, whether intentionally or not, misused. The producers may not be setting out to hoodwink the public, but a lack of clarity in definition leads to free-wheeling labelling which confuses not just the consumers but often even the producers themselves. What’s the difference between an all-natural organic cabbage and a pesticide free, safe cabbage grown on an organic farm? For those in the know, this topic may be a damp squib, but for most of us, the world of labelling and branding has left us unsure and distrustful of the industry as a whole.

Moonshine’s Lustre: The Story of Thailand’s Lao Khao

The first time I tasted lao khao was after I decided to write this article. Inspired by a CNN photo essay featuring chefs Antony Bourdain and Andy Ricker sipping on the infamous liquor in a Mae Rim distillery, I wanted to learn more and try it for myself. I’ll admit that growing up in middle-class suburbia left me oblivious to the lao khao culture of the rest of the country. I was really surprised to learn that over 60% of Thais choose lao khao as their libation of choice, according to Thailand’s Department of Mental Health.

Where is home?

Isn’t the internet simply marvellous? The global communication network has just informed me that as well as being almost exactly the same age as hip hop (I know! Rap is 44 years old!) I have, according to a popular social networking service, also been living in the gorgeous city of Chiang Mai for a decade. To give that a bit of perspective when I first set foot in this city the world was on the verge of learning what a Kardashian is, Harry Potter was making his final appearance in hard-back and the Land of Smiles was yet to be contaminated by the iPhone.

Your Say: September 2017

This is our open forum for you to express your opinions. Letters can be on any topic but priority will be given to those under 200 words.

Keeping a Step Ahead of Cancer with Absolute Health

Cancer is something that worries us all. At Absolute Health, they understand the dangers of cancer and, importantly, how best to prevent it. People across the world suffer from this terrible affliction but for those of us lucky enough not to have it, the fight to keep it away is real and should be something we are constantly aware of.

Chiang Mai’s Farm Attractions

Fancy a lovely day out in a bucolic farm with the family? We’ve got you.

Pretty Little Digits

Colour, shine, sparkle or a simple elegant buff…if you enjoy pretty nails, or some wholesome pampering, then make a stop at any of these salons.

Breathe Out: The Park that WE Made

It was a year ago, nearly to the day, when over one thousand people came together on the lawn of Regina Coeli School, holding hands and singing songs in protest. Led by an imam, a bishop, nuns, monks, a Sikh giani ji and other community leaders, they had gathered to object the proposed construction of a 900 unit condominium project which would have caused mass congestion in what was already the city’s most congested area during rush hour. What began a couple of weeks before as one catholic girls school’s efforts to halt a mammoth construction project next door had grown into a protest covered by both local and national press and supported by 23 communities in the Chang Klan Sub-District as well as countless more people and organisations across the city.

Oh, Crepes!

We all love crepes. French ones, Thai ones, face ones. Yes, if you want to eat a crepe of your face, Chiang Mai has you covered…

Dungeons & Dragons Review

Long before the blood and mud and full-frontal shenanigans of Game of Thrones titillated television viewers around the globe, assassins and sell-swords were guiding the rise and fall of warring kingdoms, bold rangers were roaming icy northlands keeping monstrous undead hordes at bay, and dragon-mounted valkyrie queens were ecstatically vaporising foolhardy enemy hosts.

Migrant Lives Matter: The challenges and prejudices faced by Shan migrant workers

For the past few hundred years the people of Chiang Mai have had a strong relationship with their cultural and ethnic brothers and sisters across the border in the Shan State. Our royal families intermarried, we took turns exerting power and influence over one another, trade was brisk, Buddhism and cultures shared, languages were similar enough to converse with one another and we even look similar. Combine those elements with the geo-proximity, and the Shan had more affinity for their southeastern neighbours in Chiang Mai than they did their southwestern Burmese oft-times enemies.

My Journey: 17 Year Old Essay Winner’s Journey to Dublin

At the start of this year, I submitted an essay titled with the theme ‘A Journey’ to Citylife that eventually won me a round trip to Dublin this past summer. Within it I had written: “For every journey one undertakes there must be a will. A will to fight and a want that drives us to be.”

Engage Your Brain

Get those cogs whirring once again with these three great places that focus on brain development and creativity for both fun and educational purposes!

Editorial: September 2017

I mentioned in the April editorial of this year that I had been feeling slightly discombobulated following accusations of being a purveyor of fake news. Now, nearly half a year and a few added allegations later, I feel as though I must return to this distressing topic. To be fair, I am only talking about perhaps a half dozen denunciatory readers out of the hundreds of thousands who have laid eyes on our content since my original strop. But while the only things hurt here are my tender feelings, I do worry about this trend and how it is going to come back and bite all of us on the tuches further down the road.

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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