DESTINATION Chiang Mai Thailand
Click on underlined links for much more info
Chiangmai is Thailand’s principal Northern city. It is the second largest metropolis in the country, next to Bangkok. The word Chiang means “walled city”, and Mai means “new”. This “new city” was created in the fertile valley through which runs the river “Ping”
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Mountains surrounding chiangmai form lower extremities of Himalayan foothills and host serveral hilltribes of Tibeto- Burman origin. Forests still worked by elephants, water falls, coves, gorges, cultivated orchards and plantations that invite detailed exploration.
The city of Chiangmai was founded in 1296 by King Mengrai (or Mongrai), Prince of Chiangsaen. Chiangmai became the capital of “Kingdom of Lanna” (Lanna means a million ricefields). In 1556 it was conquered by Burmese force and remained a Burmese Vassal State until 1775.
 Old Naga Staircase |
At that time it was liberated by King Taksin of Siam (Now is Thailand) and become a Siamese dependency.
From 1775 to 1938 Chiangmai was ruled by Local Princes, as a vassal of the Kingdom of Siam. The Last hereditary Princes, Chao Kaew-Navarath died in 1938 and had no successor. King Chulalongkorn (Rama 5) of Siam took over the administration of Chiangmai. In 1949 Chiangmai was officially recognized as Thailand’s province until now
 3 Kings Monoument |
Picture : Left, King Phamuang from Phayao. Right, King Ram Kham Haeng from Sukhothai. In the middle, King Mengrai, who built Chiangmai.
The slogan of Chiangmai :
The Great Honor, Doi Suthep.
The Distinctive ancient culture and tradition.
The Flowers always bloom to all sights.
The Treasured kingdom, Nakorn-Ping.
The full name of Chiangmai is Nophburi Srinakorn Ping Chiangmai.
Photo of Bhubing Palace from Lana Trips.com
BHUBING PALACE…one of the Kings residences and incredible gardens and in our plans to see
Photo above is from 2008 in the remote hilltribes surrounding Chiang Mai
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VARIOUS TRIBES
One of the most memorable moments on our trip to Thailand was when Sgt Kai took us into the mountains where the Hmong and Karen Hilltribes resided to get a REAL taste of tribal life. We were brought to a number of very out of the way villages where few visitors are lucky enough to see. Sgt. Kai was absolutely the BEST. He knew exactly what we wanted to see and delivered 200%!!!
The cool thing was , he enjoyed our day in the hills as much as we did. He has a true passion for the indigenous tribes of his country and it shows.
This video I pieced together was done with my little Canon IXUS 65 by Diana while stood by and took the still shots with the Canon Rebel XT and a 105mm zoom. We stood VERY still so as not to spook the cattle and water buffalo as they made their way up from the rice paddies in the valley to the hill side where the villagere/herders brought them to be safe for the night.
The memories in my head of that 20 minutes or so where the procession filed by us….bamboo cow bells clanging and shepardess calling to her flock………..well it was enchanting as well as primal. All we could think is how we hoped this wouldn’t change………..but sadly for tradition’s sake, the village had just gotten electricity the week before. For their comfort it is most certainly a good thing. Still it made Diana and I sad to think that we may be the last outsiders to see this village at it’s most pristine and authenthic state.
