Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Chiang Mai Red Cross &
Winter Fair
This 10-day festival assumes a country-fair atmosphere, with food booths purveying
northern Thai cuisine and cultural displays. It is held at the Chiang Mai City Arts & Cul-
tural Centre from late December to early January.
CULTURE
Flower Festival
This agricultural celebration (called
têt·sà·gahn mái dòrk mái Ъrà·dàp
) is held over a
three-day period in early February and includes displays of flower arrangements, cultural
performances and beauty pageants. The festival highlight is the parade that starts at
Saphan Nawarat, travelling down Th Tha Phae and then all the way to Suan Buak Hat.
FLOWERS
Chiang Mai Chinese New Year
The city's Chinatown heralds its cultural new year in February with a spotlight on Chinese
food and cultural displays.
NEW YEAR
Songkran
The traditional Thai New Year (12 to 14 April) is celebrated in Chiang Mai with boozy
enthusiasm. Thousands of revellers line up along all sides of the moat to throw water on
passersby (and each other) in the city. It is virtually impossible to stay dry during the five
days of this festival. Prior to the start of the pandemonium, more traditional Songkran
rituals are held at Wat Phra Singh.
NEW YEAR
Poy Sang Long (Poy Luang)
Young boys with Shan (Tai Yai) heritage participate in this three-day ordination ceremony
(usually in April). Novices are dressed in makeup and garish costumes to represent the
time when Buddha was a prince, prior to his search for enlightenment. Wat Pa Pao, Wat
Ku Tao and Wat Sisuphan host this ceremony.
RELIGIOUS
Intakin Festival
Held at Wat Chedi Luang in mid-May, this religious festival (known as
ngahn tam bun
sŏw in·tá·gin
) is centred on the
làk meu·ang
(city pillar) and propitiates the city's guardi-
an deity to ensure that the annual monsoon will arrive on time.
RELIGIOUS
Loi Krathong
RELIGIOUS
