Chiang Mai रूम२४

Experiencing the merging of the past into the present in Chiang Mai where locals are proud of the city's 700-year history. Its rich traditional heritage and unique culture is a perfect foundation for the development of the city. Chiang Mai is one of the few places in Thailand where it is possible to find in the heart of the city centuries-old chedis and temples next to modern convenience stores and boutique hotels. The original city layout still exists as a neat square surrounded by a moat with vestiges of the fortified wall and its four main gates offering prime access to the old town. For years, tourists have mistaken Chiang Mai as the northern junction and the base from which they can explore other provinces. The phrase "a day in Chiang Mai is enough to see things around" was common. Today, tourists are surprised by the fact that there is always something new to discover Chiang Mai. Intriguing diversity among ethnic tribes coupled with breathtaking scenery makes Chiang Mai one of Asia's most attractive tourist destinations. Two weeks in Chiang Mai may not be long enough for serious travelers. The old city of Chiang Mai with its fascinating indigenous cultural identity such as diverse dialects, cuisine, architecture, traditional values, festivals, handicrafts and classical dances is a prime location in its own right. In addition, the presence of hill tribes and their wealth of unique cultures enhance Chiang Mai's distinctive diversity. Chiang Mai is also blessed with pristine natural resources of mountains (dois), waterfalls, and other nature-based tourist attractions. At the same time, Chiang Mai residents are warm, gracious and congenial providing authentic hospitality making visits memorable and meaningful. Moreover, visitors from all walks of life can collect handicrafts of silk, silver and wood produced locally as timeless souvenirs. Chiang Mai is a place where both backpackers and luxury tourists can enjoy themselves to the fullest.
The Past
Chiang Mai literally means new city and has retained the name despite having celebrated its 700th anniversary in 1996. King Meng Rai founded the city as the capital of the Lanna (A Million Rice Fields) Kingdom on Thursday, 12th April 1296 during the same period of time as the establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom. King Meng Rai the Great conferred with his friends, King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai and King Ngam Muang of Phayao before choosing the site where the capital of the Lanna Kingdom was to be founded. From then, Chiang Mai not only became the capital and cultural core of the Lanna Kingdom, it was also the centre of Buddhism in northern Thailand. King Meng Rai himself was very religious and founded many of the city's temples, which are still important today. At the height of its power, the Lanna Kingdom extended its territory far into Burma and Laos, and southwards to Kamphaeng Phet a province above Sukhothai. The Burmese conquered the Lanna Kingdom in 1556 ending the dynasty founded by King Meng Rai that lasted over 250 years. As Burma had occupied Chiang Mai for nearly 200 years, Burmese architectural influences are visible in many temples. At the end of the 18th century, King Taksin the Great regrouped the Thais in the south and finally drove the Burmese out with the help of King Kawila of Lampang thereby regaining Thai independence from Burma. Chiang Mai was then governed by a succession of princes who ruled the north as a Siamese protectorate under the Chakri dynasty. In the late 19th century, King Rama V appointed a high commissioner in Chiang Mai and it was only in 1939 that Chiang Mai finally came under the direct control of the central government in Bangkok the same time the country was renamed Thailand. In the past, Chiang Mai was only accessible by river and elephants. More convenient access was achieved only when the railway line was completed in the late 1920's. Moreover, the first motor vehicle driven directly from Bangkok arrived in Chiang Mai in 1932. Such isolation was more favorable to Chiang Mai as it helped to nurture and preserve the unique Lanna culture. When we look at Chiang Mai today, it is the economic, cultural and communications hub of northern Thailand complete with excellent infrastructure, good roads, by passes and road tunnels, and reliable communications infrastructure.
The Setting
Chiang Mai, with an altitude of approximately 310 meters above sea level, is situated approximately 700 kilometers from Bangkok on the Mae Ping River basin। Surrounded by high mountain ranges, the city covers an area of approximately 20,107 square kilometers and is the country's second largest province. Chiang Mai borders Myanmar on the north, Lamphun and Tak Provinces on the south, Chiang Rai, Lampang and Lamphun Provinces on the east and Mae Hong Son Province on the west. The terrain is mainly comprised of jungles and mountains, which are home to the hill tribes. In addition, wildlife and exotic flora may be found in the national parks. Most of Chiang Mai's mountains are oriented from north to south. Together they create a multitude of streams and tributaries including Mae Chaem, Mae Ngat and Mae Klang. One of Chiang Mai's distinctive features is Doi Inthanon, Thailands highest peak, which is 2,575 meters above sea level. In addition, the province boasts flat, fertile valleys, which spread along the banks of the largest and most important river in Chiang Mai Mae Nam Ping (Ping River) which originates from the Chiang Dao mountain range.

Bangkok is considerably one of the most exhilarating cities in the world. Awarded by Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice 2006 for Asia's Top City, the cosmopolitan Bangkok boasts fascinating characteristics its worldwide admirers. Whether you are taking a glimpse tour of dazzling Bangkok temples, exercise your haggling expertise at Chatuchak Market, having an hour foot massage for $5 or being stuck in a heavy traffic inside a magenta taxi, daily life here is never the same as elsewhere. For your Bangkok vacation, we offer the widest and finest selection of hotels in Bangkok from the 5 stars luxury Bangkok hotels, Bangkok Airport Hotels to cheap Bangkok hotels, budget Bangkok hotel or Nana hotel Bangkok, we have them all. Recommended Bangkok Thailand Hotel for your Bangkok hotel booking are all available below for your fantastic Bangkok travel.

BRANSON BACKS PATA'S 'CEO CHALLENGE 2008'

BANGKOK, THAILAND, August 8, 2007 - Sir Richard Branson is the latest influential personality to endorse the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)'s "CEO Challenge 2008: Confronting Climate Change".The Chairman of the Virgin Group welcomes PATA's initiative to address the issue of global warming from the perspectives of both aviation and tourism. "Global warming is the biggest challenge facing mankind today and we must all do everything possible to reach a consensus on how to meet it," said Sir Branson. "PATA's CEO Challenge comes at a very timely moment."Hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and organised in partnership with the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) and the Burba Hotel Network (BHN), PATA's "CEO Challenge 2008: Confronting Climate Change" will take place in Bangkok on April 29-30, 2008. At the event, PATA will challenge influential travel and tourism industry leaders from all sectors to agree to and sign a defining industry response to climate change, one of the greatest global threats to travel and tourism."There is no doubt that global warming is one of the most important issues of our time," said Cathay Pacific Airways Chief Executive Mr Tony Tyler."There is equally little doubt that the aviation industry must take a lead in confronting the challenges of climate change," he added. "Sadly, extreme and completely misleading views about aviation's impact on global warming have taken root, especially in Europe."PATA's initiative provides an opportunity for the Asian region to make a more constructive and pragmatic contribution to the debate. And we as an airline are willing to take part in the debate by committing to actions that seriously address climate change."American Hotel & Lodging Association President and CEO Mr Joseph McInerney said that it is vital that all sectors join forces to share ideas to address the crucial challenge that climate change presents to the planet."I applaud PATA for facing this challenge head on, and welcome the opportunity to work with hospitality leaders to seek answers to these critical questions," he said. "As one of the largest service industries in the world, and one of the largest employers, we owe it to our customers and to future generations to come together and look for solutions to mitigate some of the damage that has already been done to the environment."Jones Lang LaSalle Asia Pacific CEO and JLL Hotels Chairman Mr Peter A Barge said that leaders would need to have very good reasons not to attend.
"Our staff, our clients the communities we operate in and more recently shareholder groups, all are demanding action on climate change," he said. "When all your stakeholders are sending clear messages, we as CEOs had better be on board." The "PATA CEO Challenge" is a new annual event which PATA organises in lieu of the previous PATA Annual Conference. For the full release and testimonials, and to register your interest, please go to www.PATA.org/ceochallenge. For more information contact: PATA Corporate CommunicationsMs Min Min WongTel: +66 (0) 2658 2000 extension 107E-mail: minmin@PATA.org PATA Marketing CommunicationsMr David GillbanksTel: +66 (0) 2658 2000 extension 108E-mail: david@PATA.org


Hidden Wonders - Bangkok’s 9th International Festival of Dance and मुसिक
It has been nine years since Bangkok took its first steps towards establishing itself as a Southeast Asian cultural hub. Its been nine years since Bangkok’s International Festival of Dance & Music set the ball rolling. Today the festival has garnered a reputation for excellence presenting only the best from around the world to discerning audiences in Bangkok. In keeping with this tradition the ninth edition (Sept 9-11 Oct) of the festival has in store acts that will find favour even with the most demanding of patrons.
As Thailand celebrates His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday this year, the festival in effect is dedicated to Him and opens with a spectacular performance paying homage to the musician in His Majesty. During his reign His Majesty has penned some 48 compositions, many in the blues style and the opening act, ‘His Majesty’s Blues Concert’, has 25 of Thailand’s leading singers giving voice to some of these compositions. Accompanied by an orchestra, singers like Ford Sobchai Kraiyurasen, Jennifer Kim, Radklao Amaradit, Ta Surachai Wongbuakao and Ben Chalatit Tantiwut among others, will more than do justice to the compositions. Pongprom Sanitwong Na Ayuthaya, producer, composer and musician is the man behind this amazing project. It was in 2006 that over a 100 Thai artists, cutting across label lines came together in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne. A four set CD album was also released which soon became a collector’s item. This blues concert is another opportunity to hear rare compositions in concert and makes for a fitting opening to a spectacular festival.
More in Music
Music has been central to the festival through the years and this edition too has a lot to offer: a percussion ensemble from India, a symphony concert and an evening devoted to jazz. On Sept 12, an all-female percussion ensemble, Stree Shakti will take the stage. Led by Anuradha Pal it is one of India’s leading percussion ensembles and Anuradha Pal is arguably one of the sub-continents best percussionists. Using traditional percussion instruments like tabla, ghatam, kanjira, pakhawaj and mridangam the ensemble churns out powerful beats. The music finds its basis in the classical traditions of India but is in no way out of context in the modern era.
Moving to another classical tradition, Sept 23 sees a symphony concert by the Ekaterinburg Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra dates back to 1912 and is one of the best operatic and Ballet orchestras in Russia. In honour of His Majesty (Rama IX)’s Birthday the orchestra will tackle Symphony No. IX in D minor, Op. 125 by Ludwig Van Beethoven. This symphony by Beethoven was a landmark event, for the first time a composer used the human voice like he would an instrument. So expect a full chorus with four soloist singers. Also on the programme is Scheherazade Op. 35 by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Conductor Mikahil Granovsky from the Bolshoi Theatre, one of the most looked-forward to conductors in Russia will take the baton.
On 8th October jazz and popular music fans will hear all permutations and combinations possible, First on is Coda Jazz Group from Australia which effortlessly blends classical, rock, electronic, operatic with jazz, creating a rich tapestry of music, With three albums to their credit the group popular on the Australian festival circuit, will delight with its heady mix.The same evening Saskia Laroo band from The Netherlands takes the stage next. Saskia Laroo has been hailed by the American press as ‘Lady Miles’. A trumpet stylist, Saskia’s multi-national unit pulsates with contemporary sounds, groovy rhythms, exciting solos, and rap vocals. Saskia has performed with the likes of George Benson and is a name well received all over the world including at festivals like Montreux. The last act of the evening is Monsieur Camembert which has been at the forefront of ‘Gyprock’ explosion in Australia for the past eight years. A triple Aria Award winning ensemble, with Yaron Hallis leading from the front the group promises the ultimate in music.
The Opera Quotient
When it comes to music Operas are the ultimate expression and this festival sees two: Eugene Onegin (Sept 22) and La Traviata (Sept 24) both staged by Ekaterinburg Opera Theatre, Russia, one of the oldest and most respected companies in Russia. The staging of Eugene Onegin is a remarkable event; it is the first Russian opera to be staged in Bangkok ever. An opera in three parts the story centres around a selfish hero who lives to regret his blasé rejection of a young woman's love and his careless incitement of a fatal duel with his best friend. It is the perfect example of a lyric opera and closely follows Pushkin’s original work. Around 180 artists (cast and orchestra) will bring to stage this, Tchaiovsky masterpiece.
The second opera of the season is a Verdi favourite: La Traviata। Based on Alexandre Dumas’ play La dame aux Cameilas it is an intimate work dealing with the conflict between the ‘real’ world of love and the ‘false’ world of societal expectations. The hero is tricked into giving up his love because she is well below his ‘station’. Playing Violetta is soprano Natalia Margrit, Italy’s most well-known soprano and a regular performer at La Scala and the Paris Opera House (she has also performed with Jose Carreras), while Alfredo is tackled by Dmytro Kuzmin, a soloist with the Kiev Opera House.

The Magic of Ballets
This festival sees the ballet take on a contemporary hue beginning with Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company which on Sept 18 presents ‘Upon Reaching the Sun’, taking its cue from an excerpt from ‘Woyzeck’, the fragmentary play by 19th-century German writer Georg Büchner. The excerpt describes the imaginary journey of a lonely orphan girl. The Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company is one of Israel's most prominent dance companies identified with the works of its artistic director – Rami Be'er. Expect a cutting-edge contemporary dance performance.
Compagnia Aterballetto, Italy goes into more familiar territory with Romeo and Juliet (Sept 27). This is the first full performance of Romeo and Juliet as a contemporary ballet. At the helm of the company is Artistic Director Mario Bigonzetti one of Italy’s most critically acclaimed and famous contemporary choreographers. Expect a striking, eclectic performance with spectacular sets and costumes, both designed by the world-famous installation artist Fabrizio Plessi.
The next instalment in ballet takes a classical detour with Swan Lake (Sept 29-30) followed by a neo-classical Pedro & Inês (Oct 2), both ballets are by Portuguese National Ballet.
Every one in Bangkok is familiar with Swan lake but this version has an unexpected twist in the tale. A staging that just has to be seen. Pedro & Ines is based on a true story. The ballet centres around Pedro, the son and heir of King Alfonso IV, who was forced to marry Princess Constanza even though he was in love with Inês. After his wife’s death Pedro fled to be with Inês. Inês, however, is murdered on the orders of the king. On succeeding to the throne Pedro had Ines’ corpse exhumed and crowned. The court was forced to acknowledge her as queen by kneeling before her and kissing her decomposed hand.
Never has Thailand seen such a dramatic and shockingly true story told on stage. The use of huge water tank on stage as the performance arena adds to the drama. Following this dramatic staging is another one, that of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Zurich Ballet (Oct6-7). A ballet in two acts it is based on William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy that portrays the adventures of four young Athenian lovers and a group of amateur actors, their interactions with the Duke and Duchess of Athens, Theseus and Hippolyta, and with fairies who inhabit a moonlit forest. Classified as Zurich Ballets biggest production, this ballet has the most amazing sets ever seen yet. Consider the fact that they are shipped to Thailand in four 40ft containers by sea and over 65 cubic metres by air and you can begin to understand the size of the production.
At the helm of this, one of Europe’s foremost ballet companies, is Artistic Director Heinz Sporeli, the continent’s most celebrated choreographer. Adding their might to the production are actors (Anthony O’Donnel and Bill Alexander) from Royal Shakespeare Company, London and an orchestra led by well-known conductor James Tuggle from USA.
Traditional Dances
The saga of traditional dance this festival begins with India and one of its foremost exponents of kathak: Pallabi De. Kathak is one of six major classical dances of India and the most dynamic. This performance (Sept 12) by Pallabi De and her group will trace the history of the dance form from the temples of ancient India to its modern incarnation.
Next on are traditional dances from Veracruz, Mexico by Grupo Jarocho National Dance Company (Sept 14). The Spanish word Jarocho describes a person or music from the state or city of Veracruz and this show is a musical expression of the creative core of Jarocho directed by Richard O’ Neal (former assistant director of Riverdance).60 dancers and technicians pay homage to the mix of European, African and indigenous roots that is Veracruz reflected in its music and dance traditions.
While Tango is by no means a traditional dance it holds that status in Argentina. On Sept 16 come face to face with the fiery passion of Argentinean tango with No-Bailaras Tango Company. Argentina’s best known choreographer Silvana grill presents a performance, ‘Grotesque Passion Dance’, that synthesizes traditional tango into a dramatic contemporary showcase
South Korea steps in next with the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre (Sept 20). A keeper of the flame as far as the traditional dances of Korea go, the company’s mission is to serve as a springboard for Korean dance worldwide. More than 40 of Korea’s most talented dancers will take to the stage.
The finale
Bringing the curtain down on this nearly six-week long festival are two performances by Ballet Nacional de Espana (Oct 10-11). Over 50 dancers of Spain’s leading dance company will present Flamenco and Spanish Dances in three productions: Caprichos, Dualia and Cambalache. The training ground of every Spanish dancer of note, the company has preserved all styles of Spanish dance yet has managed to combine tradition with modernity with surprising ease. Director Jose Antonio’s career is defined by his wide body of work as a director and in 2005, he was awarded the ‘Medalla de Oro al Mérito en las Bellas Artes’, by the Spanish Ministry of Culture. Expect to be stunned by this electrifying performance.

NEW AIRPORT SCREENING PROCEDURES

Thailand recently joined other major Asian aviation hubs in implementing security measures recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The following restrictions on liquids, aerosols and gels in hand-carried luggage are effective from 1 June 2007, and are applicable for all commercial flights departing from airports in Thailand.

CARRY-ON ITEMS
Liquids, aerosols, gels (including drinks, creams, perfumes, sprays, gels, toothpaste, lipstick, lip balm and similar substances) in containers of no more than 100 ml each must be placed in a transparent re-sealable 20 cm x 20 cm plastic bag with a capacity not exceeding one litre. Only one sealed bag per person is permitted, and this must be presented separately for security checking.

CHECKED-IN LUGGAGE
Liquids, aerosols, gels, drinks, creams, perfumes, sprays, toothpaste, lipstick, lip balm and all similar substances in containers exceeding 100 ml must be placed in checked-in luggage.

Exceptions
Medication, baby food/milk and special dietary items must be presented separately for screening.

In addition to the transparent, re-sealable plastic bag, each carry-on item
(jacket, suit pack, personal computer, cell phone, and any accessories with metal components) must be presented separately for screening at the security check point.

Items Not Allowed Liquids, gels, pastes and lotions in excess of 100 ml. Containers over 100 ml, even if only partially full, must be discarded in the bin provided.
Overpacked open bags
Sharp items

Duty-free items should not be taken out of their sealed bag, and passengers should be aware that they may be asked to present receipts for proof of purchase.