Oct 30, 2015

Sky Lanterns banned around Loy Kratong - but not on November 25

Chiang Mai authorities ask people not to float Sky Lanterns during the Yi Peng festival from November 24-26. But the lanterns will be allowed on November 25, as Thai PBS reports. The ban has been issued for Muang Chiang Mai, Hang Dong, Nong Harn sub-district of San Sai district, Muang Kaew, Don Kaew, Rim Tai and Mai Sa sub-districts of Mae Rim district, Nong Pueng, Kuew Mung, Dong Kaew, San Sai and Ta Wang Tan sub-districts of Saraphi district. The Chiang Mai governor wants to ensure aviation safety during this period. The floating of thousands of sky lanterns has become popular to celebrate the full moon in the northern capital, preceding Loy Krathong by one day in November.


Aug 27, 2015

Mae Sot แม่สอด - The Gateway between Thailand and Myanmar

See the locations on Mae Sot Google Map

Picture by Ashley Jonathan Clements

"A little bit of Myanmar without leaving Thailand": The title of a story by Bangkok Post characterizes the laid-back town of Mae Sot, which is separated from Myanmar by the Moei River. Mae Sot is home to ethnic groups such as the Karen, Hmong and Lahu, as well as Myanmar migrant workers. More than 100000 Myanmar people live in the town due to estimations, working in factories, on construction sites and in the guesthouse and hotel business. Mae Sot is a trade hub for gems and teak imported from Myanmar.

Picture by Axel Drainville
Mae Sot border market

Picture by Dan Woods


Picture by Dan Woods


Picture by Dan Woods
Gems from Myanmar


Picture by kimtetsu
Moei River


Picture Mikhail Esteves
River between the two countries


Picture by François Philipp

Picture by U.S. Embassy Bangkok


Wat Manee Praison วัดมณีไพรสณฑ์: Wat Manee Praison has been renovated at the end of 2012. It has a wihan with reflecting tiles on the outside and a Mon-style chedi. it houses more than 500000 Myanmar-style seated Buddha images inside its praying hall.


Picture by Yosomono
Buddha in Wat Mani

Picture by Davy Demaline


Picture by Davi Demaline


Wat Chumphon Khiri วัดชุมพลคีรี: It has a golden pagoda built in the style of the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.

Picture by Asfintesco


Wat Thai Wattanaram วัดไทยวัฒนาราม: This temple houses a reclining Buddha built in the style of Myanmar.


Centara Mae Sot Hill Resort: "A renovation would be welcome", say some of the guests on tripadvisor.com. Quite good reviews. Has a swimming pool.


Irawadee Resort: From 1200 Bath. 758/1-2 Intrarakeeree road. A little gem with very clean rooms and friendly staff, some restaurants nearby, according to reviews on tripadvisor.com.





Pictures by Irawadee Resort


Teak Villa with garden in Mae Sot: Designed and landscaped by the owner, who is himself an architect.


Picture by Mikhail Esteves
Mae La refugee camp


Picture by Mikhail Esteves


Wat Phra That Doi Hin Kew: A golden pagoda built on top of a gold-painted rock over a cliff in the forest.

Picture by Takeaway


Thee Lor Sue Waterfall: (also The Lor Sue, Thee Lor Sue or Te-law-zue). It is said to be the largest and highest waterfall in Thailand. It stands 250 metres high and nearly 450 metres wide on the Mae Klong River, flowing down from Huai Klotho into the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary.

Mar 22, 2015

Haze in Chiang Mai is a Risk for your Health

Every year at the same time: Haze is posing threat to health of people in the North of Thailand with health officials revealing over 7,000 patients seeing doctors at Chiang Mai hospital daily, reports Thai PBS. Health officials are advising people of risk groups to avoid outdoor exercises or wear face masks when going outside of houses.
More than 16,000 people in Lampang have undergone treatment for respiratory issues since the smog began affecting the upper North in February, the province's deputy governor said according to The Nation.

The Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce has revealed that the burning of corn plantations to clear the fields, covering 5 million rai in the North, is the main cause of the severe haze problem facing the region every year, reports The Nation. The burns are carried out between February and March. Chiang Mai University geography lecturer Suthinee Dontree says, most corn farmers opted for the burning method because it was cheaper while the region's farmland geography was largely mountainous, making it difficult to bring in machinery. She adds that corn also required minimum amount of water and the crop was harvested quickly in three to four months.