Chiang Mai a la Carte
Unique Tours in North Thailand

In the month of November many hills and mountains of Northern Thailand are covered with Mexican sunflowers. Southern Mae Hong Son province or the Doi Mae Salong mountains in Chiang Rai are good flowers to see the sunflowers.

The Loy Krathong Festival

Loi Krathong (ลอยกระทง) is a festival that is celebrated in Thailand, Laos and some other places in Southeast Asia that have a Thai or Tai heritage. The festival takes place on the evening of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. The dates of Loy Krathong change every year. This is always a source of confusion. Loy Krathong usually falls in the month of November.In Chiang Mai the festival is also known as Yi Peng or Yee Peng Festival. It last three days. The first day is the lantern festival, the second day is the full moon day and the third day is now the day of the Loy Krathong parade. Loy Krathong is not an official public holiday in Thailand. Most activities take place after dark. In 2019 the dates should be November 10, 11 and 12. See here for the, yet unconfirmed, program of 2019.

Sky Lanterns

The most popular activity of the Yee Peng or Loy Krathong Festival is the release of sky lanterns (โคมลอย). Also about the release of the lanterns there is a lot of confusion. Nowadays the release of sky lanterns is only allowed on the 2nd and 3rd days of the festival between 1900 and 0100 (one hour after midnight). In 2019 this will probably be on November 11 and 12 but these dates are not confirmed. We will update you as soon as we know. The vicinity of the Ping River between the Nakornping Bridge and the Iron Bridge is the best place to be to release and observe sky lanterns. This is free of charge. There are couple of organised sky lantern releases. These are not free but they are worth visiting.

The mass release of Sky Lanterns at Mae Jo University, which was a spectacular and free event, is not organised anymore. It has not been held already for a number of years.

Chiang Mai Loy Krathong program 2019

This is the tentative Chiang Mai Loy Krathong program for November, 2019. The full moon day is November 11. Many websites mention November 13, which is incorrect as far as we know.

We are waiting for information from the Chiang Mai office of the Tourist Authority of Thailand. As soon as we know we will publish the full program and the correct dates.

Over the years the release of sky lanterns (โคมลอย) has become more and more popular.

Bo Sang Umbrella Festival – 2020

Just as the name suggests, the festival is all about art and umbrellas! The Bo Sang Umbrella and Sankampaeng Handicraft Festival takes place from in January 2020. We will inform you about the dates as soon as we have them.

The handicrafts made by the local craftspeople will blow your mind away with the sheer creativity infused with boldness to create intricate, yet delightful pieces. Bo Sang is home to skilled craftspeople whose products range from fantastic fans to colourful lanterns and parasols. Look out for the magnificent umbrellas designed mulberry bark paper which is then hand painted, this is Bo Sang’s trademark style. Other materials used for these works of art include silk and cotton.

Come to the umbrella festival in the afternoon. This way, you can enjoy the amazing artwork in the light of day, and then stay for the illuminated umbrellas at night. Many of the umbrellas are lit up like lanterns showing a completely different side to these works of art.

Other fun events to enjoy during the festival include an opening ceremony, a parade, cultural shows, traditional market, a beauty pageant, live music, dancing, exhibitions and carnival games.

Program:

Day 1, January 2020

From 0900 onwards:

• Shops and Street decoration along Bo Sang Street
• Bo Sang Umbrella exhibition at Ob-Choey Shop
• Exhibition and demonstration of Indonesian umbrella drawing in front of 7-Eleven Bo Sang

1000

Parade of umbrellas on bikes. Cultural preservation.

1100

Parade of ladies riding bicycle and holding umbrellas on the Bo Sang Road.

1300

Parade of umbrellas on bikes. Cultural preservation.

1400

Parade of ladies riding bicycle and holding umbrellas on the Bo Sang Road.

1500

Lanna Traditional community market at Bo Sang intersection

1900

Opening ceremony for the 35th Bo Sang Umbrella and Sankamphaeng Handicraft festival at Pavilion

Cultural performances from the Tonpao Municipality

Cultural performances from the Republic of Indonesia and parade of cars decorated with umbrellas on Bo Sang Road.

Water curtain show in commemoration to the King at Bo Sang intersection

Cultural performance on stage from Sankamphaeng School at Bo Sang intersection.

Day 2, January 2020

0900 onwards

• Shops and Street decoration along Bo Sang Street
• Bo Sang Umbrella exhibition at Ob-Choey Shop
• Umbrellas and handheld fans drawing for tourists at pavilion
• Contest and competition on various types of handicraft at pavilion
• Exhibition and demonstration of Indonesian umbrella drawing in front of 7-Eleven Bo Sang

1000

Parade of umbrellas on bikes. Cultural preservation.

1100

Parade of ladies riding bicycle and holding umbrellas on the Bo Sang Road.

1300

Parade of umbrellas on bikes. Cultural preservation.

1400

Parade of ladies riding bicycle and holding umbrellas on the Bo Sang Road.

1500

Walking street on Bo Sang road

Street of Art to Community at the area in front of pavilion

Lanna Traditional community market at Bo Sang intersection

1900

Cultural performances on stage from Nong Khong School at Bo Sang intersection

Water curtain show in commemoration to the King at Bo Sang intersection

Sabadchai drum show on stage at pavilion

Day 3, January 2020

0900 onwards

• Shops and Street decoration along Bo Sang Street
• Bo Sang Umbrella exhibition at Ob-Choey Shop
• Umbrellas and handheld fans drawing for tourists at pavilion
• Contest and competition on various types of handicraft at pavilion
• Exhibition and demonstration of Indonesian umbrella drawing in front of 7-Eleven Bo Sang

1000

Parade of umbrellas on bikes. Cultural preservation.

1100

Parade of ladies riding bicycle and holding umbrellas on the Bo Sang Road.

1300

Parade of umbrellas on bikes. Cultural preservation.

1400

Parade of ladies riding bicycle and holding umbrellas on the Bo Sang Road.

1500

Walking street on Bo Sang road

Street of Art to Community at the area in front of pavilion

Lanna Traditional community market at Bo Sang intersection

1900

Cultural performances on stage from Mae Jo University at Bo Sang intersection

Bo Sang umbrella beauty contest on stage at Ban Bo Sang School

Water curtain show in commemoration to the King at Bo Sang intersection

Chiang Mai Flower Festival

The Chiang Mai Flower Festival 2020 takes place during the first weekend of February at the end of the cool season. It features displays of yellow and white white.It features displays of yellow and white white chrysanthemums, and the Damask Rose, a variety found only in Chiang Mai. The focus of the Festival will be at the public garden of Suan Buak Haad at the southwest corner of the moat. The road next to the park is closed to traffic. Vendors of plants, flowers, orchids and garden decorations set up their stalls there. It is very colourful.

The Parade

Highlight of the festival is the Flower Parade which takes place on Saturday morning. We will inform you about the exact time. The parade features beautifully decorated floats and other vehicles. Thousands of people participate in this event. There are dancers in magnificent costumes, musical performances and lots of flowers of course. Many people in tribal costume will participate. Don’t miss it.

The Chiang Mai Flower Festival

We offer a tour that includes a visit of the main events of the festival which are the parade as well as the flower exhibition. We think you should also visit the Bhubing Flower Gardens as well as the Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens. The magnificent Taweechol Botanical Gardens is also worth visiting. There are several interesting and colorful flower markets in Chiang Mai that are worth visiting. The Warorot/Tonlamyai market has many colorful flower stalls. At the Kamthieng market you can spend quite some time having a look at all the flowers and plants that are for sale. Say it with flowers is the device in February in Chiang Mai!

We can arrange a visit to a Royal Project where flowers are being grown. Chiang Mai also has a company that produces the most beautiful articificial and paper flowers.

Poy Sang Long Festival – Wat Ku Tao – 2020

The Poy Sang Long ceremony or festival takes place at Wat Ku Tao from Thursday, March 26, until Sunday, March 30. March 26 is the first day. This day is known as “Rup San Long” day. Monks will shave the eyebrows and heads of the boys after which they are ritually cleansed and anointed by bathing in sacred lustral water. They are then dressed up as princes in very colorful costumes they wear until the last day which is Sunday.

During the ceremony the temple grounds are bustling with activity during daytime and in the evening. Family and friends of the boys are there as well as many visitors. There are food stalls and there is music and entertainment. They boys are carried around the temple on the shoulders of their older male relatives.

The second and third days are known as “Kham Kaek”. There is continuous activity on and around the temple grounds. The boys are carried around on the shoulders of male relatives who dance on the rhythm of traditional music. Each boy has his own open tent where other family members are sitting, eating and drinking. It really is a very social affair. You can drop by at any time of the day and walk around the temple. Please dress politely and be discreet with making pictures. It usually not a problem.

The fourth day is the last day. There will be a procession in the morning and then it’s over. See you next year.

The Songkran Festival

The Songkran festival is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional Buddhist New Year. April 13 is the official New Years Day but usually April 14 and 15 are also part of this annual holiday.  The word “Songkran” comes from the Sanskrit word saṃkrānti, which means transformation or change. Songkran is celebrated nationwide although the duration varies per location. The Chiang Mai Songkran Festival takes place on April 13, 14 and 15. In some places, such at Pattaya, the festival lasts for a full week. Songkran is also celebrated in Laos (called pee mai lao), Cambodia (called Chaul Chnam Thmey, Cambodian New Year), Myanmar (called Thingyan), and by the Dai people in Yunnan, China (called Water-Splashing Festival).

The fantastic parades

There is no better time to immerse in Thai culture and have a drink with Thai friends. The water battles can be great fun. If you are not into that there are also the fantastic parades of April 13 and 15. The parades are very different. The parade of April 13 starts at the Nawarat Bridge and moves to the west along Thapae road to the Old City. The parade of April 15 starts in the Old City and moves in the opposite direction. This is also a walking parade. There are no floats involved. Prepare yourself because you will not stay dry. The parades will initially not part of the festivities. Only in the 1960s they were added by tourist authorities to attract tourists to the festival.

Controversy

The high death toll of traffic accidents is certainly the darker side of the Songkran Holiday. Alcohol flows freely during the festival. Most of the traffic fatalities are motorcyclists. Before and after the festival large amounts of people are on Thai roads. People return to their hometowns before the festival and return after. Many accidents happen on these days.

Salak Yom Festival Lamphun 2020

The tradition of Salak Yom

“Salak Yom” is an ancient merit making ceremony originally for women of the Tai Yong minority. The Tai Yong originally come from Myanmar and migrated to Lamphun. In the early 1800s, King Kawila of the Lanna kingdom forcibly resettled thousands of ethnic Yong, Karen, Shan, and Khuen people from the present-day Shan state of Myanmar.

The Tai Yong come from a place called Muang Yong.  Some 90% of the people living in Lamphun are descendants of the Tai Yong. The Tai Yong speak their own dialect and have stuck to their traditions. This festival is one of these traditions. This ceremony takes place each year in Wat Prathat Haripunchai, in Lamphun, and, on different dates at certain temples in the vicinity of Lamphun.

Salak Yom Festival 2020

The schedule of the Salak Yom Festival Lamphun 2020 is not yet known. All events will take place in and around Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai. Salak Yom” is an ancient merit making ceremony, originally for women of the Tai Yong minority. The Tai Yong came from Myanmar and migrated to Lamphun in the early 19th century. Many of the people living in Lamphun are descendants of the Tai Yong. They speak their own dialect and have stuck to their traditions. The Salak Yom festival is one of these traditions.

This schedule is a translation of a leaflet in Thai language. Apologies for any inaccuracies. The pictures on this page I made during previous editions of this event. September 12 and 13 are the main days of the event.

Here is the schedule:

Day 1
0900 – Decoration of the Ton Salak (donation tree). This will take place the whole day in and around the temple. It’s worth just going to have a look at the construction of the trees.
1830 – Show with traditional and contemporary performances.

Day 2
0900 – Decoration of the Ton Salak (donation tree). This will take place the whole day in and around the temple. It’s worth just going to have a look at the construction of the trees.
1830 – Show with traditional and contemporary performances.
2000 – Show of the story “Khajao ja Ton Salak Yom”.

Day 3
0900 – Decoration of the Ton Salak to join the parade and competition.
1300 – There will be a contest of Ton Salak with a height not exceeding 2 meters.

1730 – Parade of Ton Salaks with a height between 4 and 8 meters. More than 100
cars will participate. There will be offerings and Lanna performances during the parade. The parade will start at the municipal stadium and will make its way to Wat Hariphunchai where it will arrive around dusk. This is the main event.

1800 – Show with traditional and contemporary performances.
1830 – Opening Ceremony of the Salak Yom Festival in Lamphun, “the only one in the world”.
There will be a contest for the Award of the most beautiful Ton Salak as well as an offering ceremony of the Ton Salaks to Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai.
2030 – Show of the story “Khajao ja Ton Salak Yom”.

Day 4
0700 – Local people bring all types of Ton Salak for donation at the
Wat Phra That Hariphunchai area.
1000 – Humkalong contest (Lanna ballads) at the Kangsadan Tower.
area. A show with traditional Lanna fiddles at the courtyard in front of the Bodhi tree.
1100 – Offering food to monks.
1300 – Offer Ton Salak to monks.
1500 – The Salak Yom Festival Lamphun 2020 ends.