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Trade Routes, Wars and Tourism: The story of Chinese settlers in Chiang Mai

I began to wonder about the Chinese who live here permanently, wanting to learn more about who they are, what they do and where they came from. After all, there are over two million Thai-Chinese people in Northern Thailand, a region with 11.6 million people, so where did it all begin and what is their story.

Insight from a Regional Travel Guru

The man himself, Armin Schoch, is a familiar face in the Chiang Mai expat scene, having lived here since 2003, and is also recognised as a giant in the Thai and regional tourism industry, which he has been a pioneer of since the early eighties.

Here are the people (and dogs) we are helping this year

Here are the people (and dogs) we are helping this year at the Citylife Garden Fair.

Seven Gay Bars not to Miss in Chiang Mai

Show your pride and get involved in the gay scene in Chiang Mai, that although small, is alive and kicking.

Editorial: November 2017

One of my favourite times of the year is around 4pm on the day of our Citylife Garden Fair. After four or five months of planning and hard work and the inevitable stress and frenzy of the day, this is when I can finally relax and give myself a mental pat on the back.

For the Love of Food

Here are three of Chiang Mai’s newest restaurants perfect for those with a taste for good food and adventurous chefs.

Pub Quiz Chiang Mai

Why do we use the term trivia to mean general knowledge? If a question like this piques your interest, then an evening at one of Chiang Mai’s pub quizzes may be for you. Let’s start with a brief look at the history of the pub quiz. Anthropologists have long held that bar-based trivia first emerged as a popular pastime in the North of England in the 1960s. For many months of the year a lack of suns … Continued

Kickflips and Grinds: The arduous journey of Chiang Mai’s skateboarders

“It’s about time that skateboard players are perceived as serious sport players,” said 38 year old Pichai ‘Kob’ Booncoomyou, one of Chiang Mai’s skateboarding pioneers who has spent the past few decades fighting for space and legitimacy for his sport. He began skateboarding at a time when western teens skateboarded from playground to sports arenas, while Thailand, with its potholed pavements and limited access to good skateboards, was still many years, if not decades, from catching up.

New Bottles at New Bars

Sip on a few special brews this month at these three bars all serving rare to find bottled drinks that go down great with some sweet vibes on the side.

Introducing Yamaha’s Newest High End City Scooters

This month, the Yamaha Rider’s Club on Huay Kaew Road would like to introduce two of their newest additions to the showroom floor — the new Aerox 155 and new edition of the NMAX 155cc.

Chiang Mai’s Cutest Cafés

Check out some of Chiang Mai’s cutest cafés, decorated to the rafters with soft pastel colours, cute and cuddly mascots and rainbow coloured treats topped with pink sprinkles and whipped cream, naturally.

Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game Review

The Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game takes those on-screen thrills and transfers them to the tabletop in a fast-paced, tactical but readily accessible battle game for two players.

Educational Excellence through Philosophy, Environment and Values at Panyaden International School

A long driveway circled by a tunnel of bamboo leads the way towards Panyaden International School. As the tunnel ends, it opens up to reveal a school which looks as though it has grown out of the ground on which it stands. As children of all ages pour out of their school rooms into the arms of adoring parents, their giggles and grins turn the day sunny. Children, from toddler to twelve, were running around barefoot, uniforms askew, some heading to the award-winning bamboo sports hall for after school activities, others to their parents’ vehicles, chattering about their day.

Battling Beetles: A Northern Thai Tradition

This is the time of the year when the sounds of small ridged sticks rubbing against logs of wood used to be heard emanating from back yards throughout the north of Thailand. The familiar sounds would be interspersed with the roar of a crowd and was ubiquitous and easily identified in days past. But times have changed and its gentle echoes and resounding cheers have faded…along with any recognition with, and familiarity of the sounds. But if you know where to look, you may still come across this scene, found only in our small corner of the world: men of all ages squatting on the floor in dirty flip flops, dark heads huddled together, focused on a Lilliputian fight as they jeer and cheer. This is the world of Thai rhinoceros beetle fighting, an ancient Northern Thai tradition.

Delaying Joint and Bone Problems through Integrative Medicine

Degenerative Joint Disease is inevitable. As we grow older, our bodies slowly stop working, and some of the first things that start to struggle are our joints and our bones. In most people, our degeneration happens faster than it should, leaving us feeling older sooner, but this should not be the case.

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

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

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

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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