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Radio Reborn: Happy Radio 98.5FM takes a new direction

As the only English-language FM-frequency radio station in northern Thailand, Happy Radio fills a unique and growing niche in Thailand’s media scene. It reaches a diverse audience and its programming reflects that. That’s also a formidable challenge.

Drowning in Debt

A report by the National Statistical Office of Thailand (NSO) revealed that the average national household debt in 2017 was over 170,000 baht. Puchapong Nodtaisong, director of the NSO stated that although household income is increasing, expenditure and debt is also increasing accordingly, the past ten years seeing a steady increase in household debt annually. A report by the Bank of Thailand showed that the household debt to GDP ratio had increased from 41% in 2003 to 60.3% in 2011, spiking over the next four years to 81.2% by the end of 2015.

Sweet Tooth?

The taste of childhood served up with a twist? A dizzyingly varied dessert buffet? Small-batch, crafted yoghurts? Yes, please! With these crowd-pleasers, life is sweet.

Editorial: October 2018

At what point do religions examine themselves and realise that they have become venal tools wielded by the unworthy and serving the undeserved? And when are they going to seriously address these issues?

Thai Buddhism’s Struggle for Relevance

On the morning of this year’s Asanha Bucha Day, Pat prepared an assortment of delicacies and necessities, packing them into a basket with a big jaunty bow and corralled her family into a car to drive to Wat Pong Yang Chalerm Phra Kiet in Mae Rim to make merit.

Non Invasive Pain Relief with Absolute Health

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that is frequently used in physiotherapy, orthopaedics and sports medicine in assisting chronic muscular and tendon disorders, back and cervical pain.

Lanna Thai Coffee Development Centre

At the beginning of this year, the Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, which has been conducting research and development into coffee growing and processing for the past thirty years, set up the Lanna Thai Coffee Hub, aimed at elevating the standards of Arabica in the region, and positioning its production to meet market requirements as well as to better the standards of living for highland farmers.

Me Time

Sometimes it’s hard to remember to take a pause and step aside the whirligig of life. Take a day off, do something to indulge your nostalgia or go and blow off some steam/cash!

Game On: Getting to know eSport

I found myself sitting in a nearly all-male audience in a dim hall bathed in a glow of LED lights shining from a big bright stage. Facing one another were players fighting to win the northern round of the ESport Thailand Championship. My eyes, along with the buzzing crowd’s, were fixed on a huge screen at the centre of the stage displaying a virtual football stadium.

The Sop Moei Mission: Weaving a Community’s Future

Taciturn Kent Gregory, the man behind one of Chiang Mai’s most well-known luxury brands Sop Moei Arts, is impossible to pigeon-hole; his life-story (so far) reads like a an extraordinary swashbuckling tale from the 19th century yet he helms a non-profit enterprise which has been lauded world-wide for its high quality ethnic textile and basket weaving which have graced runways and magazine covers.

Chiang Mai Confidential: A look at the local dating scene

Plentiful. Confusing. Nonexistent. Experimental. These are the words Chiang Mai’s singles used when asked to describe the Chiang Mai dating scene. As the interviews stacked up, of course I realised that dating is a very individual experience and results certainly vary, but there were themes that emerged, and that’s where our exploration of the dating scene begins.

Coffogenic: Hillkoff’s New Superfood

“Coffogenic is functional and consumers can expect clear results. It benefits those especially with diabetes and those who are struggling with cholesterol. It’s a super food.” On the other end, this is another channel of income for the coffee farmers which is way better than just making fertiliser.

Nana Jungle Café and Restaurant

The popular bakery shop, known for the wafting scent of fresh baked pastries that attracts daily crowds, has taken the next big step to running a proper restaurant. Tucked away at the back of 89 Plaza where the owners just opened their latest bakery branch last year, the restaurant now occupies a roomy space, evoking the vibes of the famous Nana Jungle.

The Imperial Spa

The healing massage presented by The Imperial Mae Ping promises to caress away your weariness. There are a variety of treatments available to soothe each individual, giving the ultimate experience at a cost effective price.

A Tipple of Two

Bars are not hard to find in Thailand, in spite of the Five Buddhist Precepts, so you hardly have to do more than walk down your soi to find a thirst-quencher. But this month we put some pressure on our livers for you to find you some cool venues we thought you might enjoy.

7 Unique First Dates around Chiang Mai

The idea of seven first dates is enough to wilt the smoothest dater. Citylife is here to help, with this list of unique and memorable first dates that should take some of the anxiety out of impressing. Whether or not they actually look like their profile pics is entirely up to chance; sorry, can’t help you there! Start on the right foot with these fun date locations.

More From Citylife

Anytime Fitness Opens First Chiang Mai Branch at Kad Farang Mae Rim, Grand Opening Set for 1 October

Thu 1st Oct

Anytime Fitness Opens First Chiang Mai Branch at Kad Farang Mae Rim, Grand Opening Set for 1 October Anytime Fitness, the global fitness brand known for its 24-hour access, is inviting Chiang Mai residents to celebrate the opening of its first branch in the province with the Grand Opening – Anytime Fitness Kad Farang Mae Rim on 1 October 2026 from 5pm–8pm. The event, taking place in front of the c … Continued

Kad Suan Kaew marked down to 2.58 billion baht, still no takers

Thu 1st Oct

Krungthai Bank has cut the asking price of the shuttered Kad Suan Kaew shopping centre to 2.583 billion baht, down from the 3 billion it first put on the sign in 2024. That sign is still out front on Huay Kaew Road in Mueang district, four years after the mall closed its doors on 1 July 2022. The building has not aged well, inside or out, and no investor has come forward. Kad Suan Kaew opened on 2 … Continued

Chiang Mai governor bows out with blessings, heads for Interior Ministry deputy post

Wed 30th Sep

Rattapon Naradisorn, governor of Chiang Mai, has paid his farewells to the province’s senior monks and to the sacred objects and shrines said to protect the city, ahead of his appointment as deputy permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry. He made offerings to the monks and paid respects at the city’s guardian sites for good fortune before leaving for the new job. Heads of government agencies, … Continued

Maxim and DLT Chiang Mai Help Drivers Legalize Ahead of September 30

Wed 30th Sep

From September 30, 2026, a new regulation comes into force: to work through electronic platforms, drivers need a Public Driver’s License (PDL). Platforms will be required to restrict access to orders for those who do not have a valid PDL. To support drivers in transitioning into the regulated transport system and help raise service standards, Maxim Thailand and the Chiang Mai Provincial Land Trans … Continued

Chiang Mai, get ready for the grand opening of Anytime Fitness Kad Farang Mae Rim, the first Anytime Fitness branch in Chiang Mai.

Tue 29th Sep

Chiang Mai, get ready for the grand opening of Anytime Fitness Kad Farang Mae Rim, the first Anytime Fitness branch in Chiang Mai. Join the celebration for free and enjoy an evening of fitness, entertainment and activities, including a Zumba Dance Party. • Games & Lucky Draw • Club Tour • Photo Spot • Exclusive membership offers available only at the event Register here: https://forms.cloud.mi … Continued

Chiang Mai sends rescue crews and mobile toilets to flooded Bangkok

Tue 29th Sep

A convoy of rescue workers, fire engines and mobile toilets left Chiang Mai this morning for Bangkok, where flooding has now dragged on for several days. Deputy Governor Chatchawan Panya and Somchat Wattanakla, deputy chairman of the Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO), sent the vehicles off at the PAO’s park on the morning of 29 September. The rescue team and the toilets will … Continued

Chiang Mai air wing flies relief team to flood-hit Bangkok

Mon 28th Sep

Wing 41 of the Royal Thai Air Force has sent personnel and equipment to Bangkok to help people affected by flooding in the capital and surrounding provinces. Group Captain Theerayut Kueasakul, the Wing 41 commander and director of its disaster relief centre, gave the order on Monday (Sept 28). A C-130 transport carrying the team took off from the Wing 41 military airport in Chiang Mai and headed f … Continued

San Klang junction bridge opens both ways tomorrow, no ribbon-cutting

Mon 28th Sep

San Kamphaeng police announced on September 28 that the San Klang junction on Highway 1317 will open to traffic in both directions, into and out of the city, at 11am tomorrow, September 29. Nobody will be cutting a ribbon. There is no opening ceremony of any kind. The head construction foreman will go over the bridge before it opens to check it is safe for drivers.

Chiang Mai Donation Point Now Open at Boonthavorn Chiang Mai

Mon 28th Sep

Boonthavorn Chiang Mai, in collaboration with the Raks Thai Foundation, has opened a donation point to collect essential supplies for communities affected by the current situation. Donated items will be transported directly by Boonthavorn’s delivery vehicles. Items currently needed: • Fresh vegetables and cooking ingredients • Condiments and seasonings • Rice and dried food • Cleaning supplies 28 … Continued

Irrigation Department opens all 10 Mae Soi gates as rain hits Omkoi, but says no flooding

Mon 28th Sep

The Royal Irrigation Department has opened all 10 gates of the Mae Soi regulator in Chom Thong to move water down the Ping River after heavy rain in Omkoi and Chom Thong. Officials say the situation is still normal and no flooding has been reported. Kuekul Manasamphansakul, director of the Chiang Mai Irrigation Project, visited the regulator today (28 September). Mae Soi is the last gate on the Pi … Continued

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