September 2008's events.

Le Paradis des Fleurs

Date: 5th – 7th September

Central Airport Plaza 053 944 847, 086 190 0699 The Faculty of Fine Arts is hosting this flower exhibition in cerebration of their 25th anniversary. The exhibition will include flower sculptures under the concept of ‘Romantic Classic’, a flower arranging demonstration and contest, a fashion show and more. The opening will take place on 5th September at 5 p.m.

7th Communication Seminar & Exhibition



Date: 13th – 14th September Central Airport Plaza
081 235 2344, 083 044 8029 www.in4comm.com

The Faculty of Information and Communications at Maejo University is hosting a communication seminar and exhibition entitled ‘Korea’s trends . . . cultural communication’. The seminar includes Asianista! Boy & Girl 2008 contest and a Fashion Show by Chiang Mai’s Young Designers.


‘Sankamphaeng’ The city of handicrafts

Date: Every Saturday (until 20th September) Sankamphaeng District

Sankamphaeng district is hosing ‘The city of handicrafts fair’ every Saturday from 3 p.m. - 10 p.m. Come see art and handicraft products by the people of Sankamphaen. Products include Saa-paper products, batik and weaved clothing, coconut shell art, wood carvings and more.


The 5th Industry Meet People Fair

Date: 5th - 7th September

Northern Industrial Center, Tung Hotel Road 053 243 494 The Department of Industrial Promotion is hosting this prettily named ‘5th Industry Meet People Fair’ where there will be more than 250 workshops from 17 provinces with traders from the north such as Sahapat Group, CPF, etc. Interested people have the opportunity to participate in 22 free short-term professional training courses. The fair takes place over 3 days from 9 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

TAT’s Invitation to the Elderly

Date: Now - 5th September TAT Chiang Rai

TAT Chiang Rai presents this new project for the elderly ‘Wai Pra Tat 9 Chom (9 Sacred Places)’ in Chiang Rai. They’re inviting 30 healthy elders over the age of 60 to make merit at 9 temples over 2 days and 1 night (hope they will be healthy still after such a trek!). The registration fee is 500 baht. All income generated will go to the 9 temples.


Mooncake at the Gold Leaf Chinese Restaurant


Date: 14th – 30th September The Imperial Mae Ping Hotel
053 283 900 ext 7057

Enjoy a wide selection of mooncakes with rich and diverse fillings. Available daily at lunch and dinner time. The Imperial Maeping is also offering ‘An Apple a Day’ specials. Available at the Mae Ping Coffee Shop and Rendez-vous Lobby Lounge.

Read More

Shopping in Chiang Mai

With a large range of unique goods for great prices, Chiang Mai is regarded as the shopping centre of the North. The quality of goods varies and prices are often reasonable – though bargaining is a must. Known as the handicraft centre of Thailand, and one of the best in Asia, visitors come from around the world to purchase silver, rattan, ceramics, antiques, clothing and silk.

Chiang Mai’s best-known shopping centre is the Night Bazaar, which consists of two sidewalks packed with vendors displaying their goods every evening till midnight. Clothes and Thai handicrafts fill the market, as well as silver and other hill tribe items. Borsang village is worth visiting for its unique umbrellas, while San Kamphaeng houses a handicraft centre ideal for buying wholesale items. But the most rewarding shopping district, especially for wood, furniture, handicrafts and home décor items is Baan Tawai artisans village south of the city, which has an astonishing range of delightful and great value products.

The centre of town offers many handicraft shops, though only a few sell real quality items – noted by the slightly higher price. Jewellers, tailors and gem dealers can be found through out the city. For a more western approach to shopping, Chiang Mai boosts two malls, Central Kad Suan Kaew and Robinson’s Airport Plaza. Brands such as Guess and Esprit are represented in Airport Plaza, while Central is for the local crowd with many shops selling a variety of every day clothes and jewellery at good prices. The university area sells ridiculously cheap items that Thai students love – such as model phone ornaments and room decorations. Many of the clothes and shoes, along with electrical gadgets are locally manufactured and quality well-known brands sell for much cheaper. The following are some recommended shops and outlets for shopping in Chiang Mai.

Credit : www.guidelines.com

Read More

Chiangmai Baan Tawai Crafts

Chiang Mai province has always been famous for producing many of Thailand’s wonderful handicrafts and these are mostly produced in the artisan village of Baan Tawai. Taking a trip to this busy and intriguing centre, 30 minutes drive south of the city, is a rewarding half day shopping tour, enabling you to see the craftsmen at work and pick up the best prices for these charming items.
At Baan Tawai you will find numerous arcades selling everything from wood carvings and interior décor items, to souvenirs, art, sculpture, ceramics, furniture, toys, fabrics, antiques, murals and more. Some of them can fit in your luggage, others can be shipped home by one of several agents on hand, at a reasonable cost. Acquiring unique household items here, no matter how bulky, is a popular and cost-effective way of furnishing your home with Asian arts. In fact, retailers from all over the world beat a path here to make wholesale orders.

Some of the outdoor shops are delightfully decorated, with water features and boutique garden fixtures, so that even window shopping for ideas is rewarding. There are also several eateries on hand to quench your appetite.
The following are some of our recommended businesses from Baan Tawai.
Note! Many of these services can be found advertising in our magazine with more details and thai directions for taxi drivers.

credit articlec : www.guidelines.com

Hotels reservation

Read More

Chiang Mai Night Market - Bazaar

Chiang Mai’s most famous area, the Night Market (Night Bazaar), is the best place to shop for unique souvenirs and items. Two long sidewalks, stretching along several blocks of Chan Klan road make up the Night Market and are crowded with small shops selling handicrafts and miscellaneous items from all over the region. A wide variety of things can be bought here, ranging from knock-off designer goods to hand-woven baskets and ornaments. Bargaining is a must here and most tourists seem to enjoy the opportunity to mark down prices.

The streets are crowded until 12pm, when the frenetic experience finally winds up. Even for wholesale handicrafts, the Night Market is a good place to start with your window shopping. Hill tribe women and their children walk through crowds displaying their goods on their arms and in little baskets; they may be persistent, but a simple shaking of the head often sends them away. Like all crowded tourist destinations, pickpocketing does occur and belongings should be kept close.
Western influence is noted in the Night Bazaar area, with Starbucks, Subway and McDonalds being the prime locations to relax and marvel at ones purchases. Transportation to the Night Market area is easy to come by (“night bazaar” is understood by all modes of public transport) and getting a ride out is not a problem, with songtaews and tuk-tuks lined on the street. Besides, it’s so central you can practically walk from here to your hotel or a nearby restaurant and bar.

The Night Market offers a unique shopping experience and is a definite must-see when visiting Chiang Mai, few people leave empty handed as the goods on display are so cheap (cheapest in Thailand generally), and the Thai handicrafts charming and delightful. Below are some recommended businesses at the night market.

credit : www.guidelines.com

Read More

Tours of Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is widely known for its vast choice of activities in and around the city, ranging from visiting the national museum to experiencing the hill tribe way of life. Tours of Chiang Mai city present an ideal way to get a thorough understanding of the rich heritage of culture, history and natural beauty that Chiang Mai has. Prices for Chiang Mai tours depend largely on the duration of the tour as well as the level of comfort. Cheap walking tours can be as low as a couple hundred baht, while others consist of air-conditioned mini vans customised to specific destinations and interests, such as shopping or national parks. Sizes of tours vary from single, couple and group tours.

Tours often take guests to Chiang Mai’s most famous attractions, such as Doi Suithep mountain and its highly sanctified temple, the moat and old town with its numerous ancient temples, the Night Bazaar and Baan Tawai for shopping, or the excavated ruins of Viang Khum Kham – which pre-date the present 700 year old city. Other areas of multiple attractions include the Mae Sa Valley, with its beautiful waterfall, elephant camp, botanical garden and numerous activities for the whole family including bungee jumping and animal shows. San Khampeng is another interesting area east of the city which boasts the Bo Sang Umbrella village, handicraft wholesales, hotsprings and the cavernous Mae On cave.

Other day trips include visits to Doi Inthanon National Park (the country’s highest point), and the older city of Lamphun and temples in Lampang. Multi day tours from Chiang Mai can even be arranged to the Golden Triangle and Mae Hong Son.
Tours of Chiang Mai can be arranged within the city centre from numerous operators that are ubiquitous. We recommend the following tour operators.

Credit : www.guidelines.com

Read More