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Far from the Madding Crowd

As fun as the city can be, we all need occasional respite. And if a trip to Bora Bora isn’t in the cards, we seek to retreat where we can. Here are a few places we discovered this month.

Nimman Café

Nimmanhaemin gets its fair share of complaints, what with the traffic, the parking and all, but it is still the best area to go to in the city to find exciting new businesses since they are popping up all the time, making this an area of constant discovery.

Sleeps

Sometimes we write these hotel reviews and actually get jealous that we have our own houses to go back to each night, as we don’t get a chance to experience all the awesome sleeping options there are in our city.

What Happens to our Society as we Age?

While there are concerns over Thailand’s bourgeoning ageing population, with the topic popping up now and then in the media, the issue hasn’t been discussed as seriously as it is in countries such as Japan or China, until recently.

Our City is Our Museum

Museums are, at their core, historical oases. They present us with our past. Yet, people often feel removed from the past they’re viewing. The glass cases can give one the impression of a zoo, in which the materials on display are to be stared at, rather than interacted with. One may walk through an exhibit passively, with the information simply washing over the onlooker.

A Day at the Races Chiang Mai Style: Sport of kings introduced to Thailand by King Rama VI at turn of century

It’s late Saturday morning at the Nong Ho race track in Chiang Mai and the scorching summer sun beams down with its usual intensity and oppressiveness on the spectators about to enter the grandstand.

Thainess Editorial: April 2019

We had a poignant article on our website last month, ‘What Does it Mean to be Thai’, submitted by Jaem Prueangwat, a young gay Bangkokian struggling to find his identity as a Thai man. Much of what he said resonated with me, and from the comments of readers, with many others.

Chang Chill: An Elephant and Mahout Friendly Venue

ChangChill is offering a new kind of elephant tourism, one that we expect will be in high demand and one we hope will soon become a model many others will follow.

The Fascinating World of Bees

Knowing next to nothing about bees, I bemoaned the imminent death of bees, quoting numerous articles I had read over the years predicting the end of crops, and even civilisation, as the world’s bee population declines. “Nonsense” he told me, and it wasn’t long, and admittedly a couple of gin and tonics later, that he was regaling me with the most extraordinary stories about bees that had my jaws drop and head reel.

More From Citylife

Warorot market falls quiet as post-Songkran souvenir sales disappoint

Fri 17th Apr

Traders at Warorot Market — Chiang Mai’s most popular souvenir hub — say this year’s Songkran was unlike any they can remember. As the festival wound down, stalls that would normally be mobbed with last-minute buyers sat largely empty, with vendors reporting that the few visitors who did pass through mostly browsed without buying. Nongkul Warisuppawut, owner of the Sri Phan shop, attributed the sl … Continued

Giant drones deployed to combat fires in Chiang Dao

Fri 17th Apr

Giant drones have been deployed to battle Chiang Dao wildfires as air pollution levels spike. Chiang Mai’s wildfire crisis showed no sign of letting up, giving firefighters no rest as 270 hotspots were recorded across the province on Wednesday, with Chiang Dao district bearing the worst of it at 92 points. Officials and volunteers mobilised to contain the rapidly spreading fires. At the Chiang Dao … Continued

Thousands flocked to Mae Kuang Dam to cool off this Songkran, open until 25th April

Fri 17th Apr

With temperatures soaring, thousands of residents and tourists descended on the Mae Kuang Dam in Doi Saket over the holidays, turning the popular water release point into one of the season’s busiest Songkran spots. Families and groups of friends gathered to picnic and splash in the flowing water, making the most of the long holiday weekend. The site is open to the public from 13th-25th April, with … Continued

MAYA Hosts Major Songkran Festival, Aiming for Global Recognition

Sun 12th Apr

MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center, in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Chang Phueak Municipality, and private partners, has launched the “SF and SINGHA LIFE Present SINGHA SUMMER CLUB SONGKRAN FESTIVAL 2026” — one of Chiang Mai’s largest Songkran concert celebrations. Held at MAYA Square from April 11–15, the festival brings together top Thai artists including INDIGO, GETSUNOVA, … Continued

Chiang Mai’s moat comes alive ahead of Songkran

Sun 12th Apr

Residents and tourists have begun gathering along Chiang Mai’s moat to splash water and beat the heat, even before the festival’s official start — and crowds are expected to swell further this evening. Although today, 12th April, marks Wan Long Fai, the lead-in day to Songkran — or the Chiang Mai New Year, Pee Mai Mueang Chiang Mai 2026 — large numbers of people have already taken to the streets w … Continued

Monday 13th Songkran schedule

Sun 12th Apr

Songkran 2026 activities in Chiang Mai city, 13th April Processions 1. 8am — The Mae Ying Riding Bicycles with Parasols procession departs from Buddhasatarn and concludes at Tha Pae Gate. 2. 2.09pm — The Phra Buddha Sihing and Sacred Buddha Images procession forms at Nawarat Bridge and proceeds along Tha Pae Road to Ratchadamnoen Road.   Water celebrations 1. 8.30–10am — Opening ceremony of “Sard … Continued

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort Unveils The Mae On – Mae Ping Atelier Afternoon Tea, a Celebration of Northern Terroir, Cacao Craftsmanship and Creative Expression

Sun 12th Apr

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort introduces The Mae On – Mae Ping Atelier Afternoon Tea, a refined culinary journey crafted in collaboration with Skugga Estate, celebrating single-origin cacao grown in Mae On, located approximately 40 minutes east of Chiang Mai city. Rooted in the timeless British afternoon tea ritual, the experience draws inspiration from the resort’s heritage as the former British Con … Continued

World Songkran Tha Pae Chiang Mai 2026 returns for third year with 130 metre water tunnel

Sun 12th Apr

Chiang Mai Municipality has announced the third edition of “World Songkran Tha Pae Chiang Mai 2026,” to be held along Tha Pae Road and Tha Pae Gate, with the event positioned as part of ongoing efforts to raise the profile of the Thai new year festival on the international stage while sustaining tourism and economic activity in the city’s historic centre. The headline attraction this year is a 130 … Continued

“Ton Kwen: Roots Rewired” Transforms Historic Lanna Heritage into Contemporary Comic Art Landmark

Sun 12th Apr

Chiang Mai welcomes a bold new cultural highlight as the 168-year-old Wat Ton Kwen is reinterpreted into a striking comic art installation, “Ton Kwen: Roots Rewired,” standing over six metres tall. Inspired by the temple’s iconic viharn, the work reimagines traditional Lanna architecture through contemporary line art by Chompoonuch Chomphurat. Presented at Central Chiang Mai Airport in collaborati … Continued

Netflix Lights Up Chiang Mai’s Songkran at Tha Phae Gate

Sun 12th Apr

Songkran, Netflix is bringing entertainment to the heart of Chiang Mai, transforming Tha Phae Gate into a lively hub of water festivities and star appearances. Running from 11–15 April 2026, the “Songkran: Enjoy Thai Content to the Fullest on Netflix” activation features a vibrant booth and parade around the city moat, alongside appearances by Nattawin Wattanagitiphat, Chakelyn Muench, Arak Amorns … Continued

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