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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

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

Dangerous steroid-laden ‘herbal’ meds being sold across North

Wed 2nd Jul

The Public Health Office has issued a warning against a spread of so called herbal medicine which has been recently sold by vendors at funerals, temple fairs and across rural villagers across Chiang Mai and beyond.  Upon receiving a report of this, the Public Health Office tested the medicine and found them to be heavy with steroids and other harmful properties.  They warn that elderly people may … Continued

70 baht guesthouse hasn’t put up price in 14 years

Wed 2nd Jul

Jay Guesthouse and Restaurant has been around, housing and feeding backpackers on the cheap since it opened 14 years ago.  Its owner says that she charges 70 baht for a shared room with bunk beds, 130 baht for a small single room and 190 baht for a large single room. During the high season she ups the prices by 10-20 baht. “My clients come back again and again over the years, and I want them to ha … Continued

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