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Glad Rags and Tags

It’s that time of year where the winter wardrobe starts to emerge and new glad rags are to be bought. Doll yourself up with some fancy clothing this month or even get tagged if you can handle the commitment!

New in Town

We don’t really have a theme this month; we just wanted to share some of the new finds we made last month and make sure you hear about them too!

How Healthy is Doi Suthep? Citylife follows up on a 2006 article, ‘Doi Suthep in Crisis’

So began my cover story, ‘Doi Suthep in Crisis’ in our August 2006 issue of Citylife. Over a course of three months, I’d interviewed over a dozen people on the ‘health’ of Doi Suthep; from the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the infamous Plodprasop Suraswadi, to the abbot of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep as well as a number of botanists and entomologists. My conclusion was grim; water resources were diminishing, encroachment on national park land was rife, overpopulation had resulted in lack of waste management, wild plants and animals were disappearing, and the mountain was getting ‘sick’. A botanist from Chiang Mai University told us that only about 25% of the park remained somewhat close to its original condition, explaining that the rest was, at best secondary growth, and at worst developed. Coming across that old issue recently, I thought that it was time to revisit this topic and I shall be borrowing liberally from the past to ease the step into the present so that perhaps we can navigate a path towards a healthy future.

Wasting Away: Chasing Chiang Mai’s Rubbish Trail

Like most of you, I dare say, I don’t give much thought to what happens once my rubbish has been collected, assuming it ends up somewhere far away and that someone is sorting it all out. But this month I got curious and decided to look into how much garbage we produce as a city, who manages it, where it goes and generally sticking my nose into some stinky business.

A Taxing Issue: Trying, and failing, to clarify the new vice tax system

On September 16th of this year, the excise department finally released their much anticipated tax overhaul regulations on cigarettes and alcohol.

Popping Over to Hong Kong

Remember the harrowing descent into Hong Kong’s old Kai Tak airport? A strong gust of wind would have the plane wobbling from side to side as passengers peered out in alarm straight into the living rooms of equally alarmed residents whose apartments lined the approach.

What is it with these fruit wines?

Last month something remarkable happened. On three separate unprovoked occasions I found myself confronted by a subject I think we’ll all agree is of utmost importance considering the general state of everything in the world right now.

Your Say: October 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.

Citylife Garden Fair

Citylife is proud to announce that our independent committee of volunteers led by Dr. Joanne Robinson has chosen the following organisations to be the beneficiaries of our upcoming fair.

Satisfied Bikers at Yamaha Rider’s Club Chiang Mai

This month we talk to a couple of the club’s most valued members who fell in love with the big biking world after moving to Thailand and buying their first Yamaha bike.

Seven Karaoke Bars in Chiang Mai Not to Miss

Karaoke is for (nearly) everyone, as long as you find the right venue. Private, public or even impromptu, we’ve got you covered.

The Rise of Gaming in Chiang Mai

From family-friendly bestsellers like Agricola and Catan to Dungeons & Dragons and a broader role-playing resurgence, the global popularity of tabletop and board gaming continues to rise — and Chiang Mai has not been spared. Around our beloved city people are putting aside their phones and tablets, and looking away from their screens (for a while at least!), in order to flip cards, connect til … Continued

Keeping Your Brain Strong

We’ve all experienced the irritating feeling of walking into a room and forgetting what it is that we’re looking for. Or the embarrassment of forgetting someone’s name, even though they just told you. But imagine forgetting where your own home is, or what your own family members look like.

Editorial: October 2017

Just over eleven years ago our cover featured my story ‘Doi Suthep in Crisis’, where I offered up an alarming prognosis of a mountain range being sucked dry of its natural resources — water, wildlife, biodiversity, land — while at the same time being inundated by the alien —people, waste, traffic, development. Thankfully, much of the damage many experts anticipated at the time never materialised due to the Herculean efforts of so many, from academics and researchers to the private sector.

More From Citylife

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

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

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

90% of 13,698 votes say yes to the geese staying in the moat 

Mon 1st Sep

After a poll which ran for 48 hours saw 13,698 people from all over Chiang Mai and beyond vote on whether or not to keep the ten geese on the moat, following a week long experiment to house the geese moatside while they spent their days eating the overgrown duckweed, 90% said yes. As the city waited for the results of the poll, the geese have been taken away for a health check, vaccination and mic … Continued

Rescue helicopters and personnel descend to help Ban Pang Ung flood victims 

Mon 1st Sep

A flash flood and landslide occurred in Ban Pang Ung in Mae Chaem District, resulting in the deaths is currently seven people. Rescue teams continue to search for two missing 5-year-old boys. The search for the remaining two missing used a backhoe from the Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization to excavate the area where the bodies were previously found. The Department of Disaster Preve … Continued

Mother seeks justice after son dies in cow-related road accident

Mon 1st Sep

Kalong Sukjui, a 56-year-old woman, is calling for accountability after her 21-year-old son was killed in a car accident involving a cow. The incident occurred when a cow suddenly ran in front of his motorcycle, causing him to fall and be struck by another vehicle. The accident happened on the Chiang Mai – Hang Dong Outer Ring Road 3, opposite the PTT gas station, at around 7.20 pm on August 26, 2 … Continued

Monks pulled across raging river to attend funeral of flood victims in Mae Chaem 

Sat 30th Aug

Residents of Pang Oong Village in Mae Chaem District, released images showing images of a recent landslide, carrying earth and uprooted trees, which surged down into the village without warning. It has now been three days since the devastating flash floods and resulting landslides struck the area, claiming six lives. As of today, rescue teams from multiple agencies, together with local villagers a … Continued

The largest international book fair in Northern Thailand runs from 29th August – 7th September 2025 at Chiang Mai Hall, Central Chiang Mai Airport

Sat 30th Aug

Plan for Kids Co., Ltd., a leading publisher and distributor of children’s books and learning resources for families, together with Big Bad Wolf Books, the renowned international book fair organiser with a track record of hosting events across 34 cities in 13 countries, and Central Chiang Mai Airport, proudly present the “International Book Sale Featuring Big Bad Wolf 2025.” Book lovers across Chi … Continued

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