Chiang Mai

Not to be confused with Chiang Rai or Chengmai.
This article is about the city Chiang Mai. For other uses, see Chiang Mai (disambiguation).
Chiang Mai
เชียงใหม่
City Municipality

Top left: East moat, Chiang Mai; top right: Chedi, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep; middle left: View from Doi Suthep of downtown Chiang Mai; middle right: Tha Phae Gate; bottom left: A songthaew shared taxi; bottom right: Wat Chiang Man

Location of the city within Chiang Mai Province
Chiang Mai

Location of the city within Thailand

Coordinates: 18°47′43″N 98°59′55″E / 18.79528°N 98.99861°E / 18.79528; 98.99861Coordinates: 18°47′43″N 98°59′55″E / 18.79528°N 98.99861°E / 18.79528; 98.99861
Country  Thailand
Province Chiang Mai Province
Government
 • Type City municipality
 • Mayor Tatsanai Puranupakorn
Area
 • City Municipality 40.216 km2 (15.527 sq mi)
 • Metro 2,905 km2 (1,122 sq mi)
Elevation 310 m (1,020 ft)
Population (2008)
 • City Municipality 148,477
 • Density 3,687/km2 (9,550/sq mi)
 • Metro 960,906
 • Metro density 315.42/km2 (816.9/sq mi)
Time zone ICT (UTC+7)
Airport IATA: CNX – ICAO: VTCC
Website Official website

Chiang Mai (/ˈtʃjɑːŋˈmaɪ/, from Thai: เชียงใหม่  [tɕʰiəŋ màj], Lanna: ᨩ᩠ᨿᨦᩉ᩠ᨾᩲ᩵ [t͡ɕīaŋ.màj]) sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in Northern Thailand. It is the capital of Chiang Mai Province and was a former capital of the Kingdom of Lanna (1296–1768), which became the Kingdom of Chiang Mai, a tributary state of Thailand from 1774 to 1939. It is 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok and is situated amongst the highest mountains in the country. The city sits astride the Ping River, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River.

Chiang Mai means "new city" and was so named because it became the new capital of the Lanna kingdom when it was founded in 1296, succeeding Chiang Rai, the former capital founded in 1262.[1]:208–209

Chiang Mai gained prominence in the political sphere in May 2006, when the Chiang Mai Initiative was concluded between the ASEAN nations and the "+3" countries (China, Japan, and South Korea). Chiang Mai was one of three Thai cities contending for Thailand's bid to host the World Expo 2020 (the others were Chonburi and Ayutthaya).[2] Ayutthaya, however, was the city ultimately chosen by the Thai Parliament to register for the international competition.[3][4]

Chiang Mai has positioned itself to become a Creative City and is considering applying for Creative City status with UNESCO.[5] Chiang Mai was one of two tourist destinations in Thailand on TripAdvisor's 2014 list of "25 Best Destinations in the World", where it stands at number 24.[6]

Chiang Mai's historic importance is derived from its close proximity to the Ping River and major trading routes.[7][8][9]

While officially the city (thesaban nakhon) of Chiang Mai only covers most parts of the Mueang Chiang Mai district with a population of 160,000, the city's sprawl extends into several neighboring districts. The Chiang Mai Metropolitan Area has a population of nearly one million people, more than half the total of Chiang Mai Province.

The city is subdivided into four wards (khwaeng): Nakhon Ping, Srivijaya, Mengrai, and Kawila. The first three are on the west bank of the Ping River, and Kawila is on the east bank. Nakhon Ping district comprises the north part of the city. Srivijaya, Mengrai, and Kawila consist of the west, south, and east parts, respectively. The city center—within the city walls—is mostly within Srivijaya ward.[10]

History

Wat Chiang Man, the oldest Buddhist temple in the city
City wall, north-west corner

King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai ("new city") in 1296[1]:209 on the site of an older city of the Lawa people called Wiang Nopburi.[11][12] Gordon Young, in his 1962 book The Hill tribes of Northern Thailand, mentions how a Wa chieftain in Burma told him that the Wa, a people who are closely related to the Lawa, once lived in the Chiang Mai valley in "sizeable cities".[13]

Chiang Mai succeeded Chiang Rai as the capital of the Lanna kingdom. Pha Yu enlarged and fortified the city, and built Wat Phra Singh in honor of his father Kham Fu.[1]:226–227 The ruler was known as the "chao". The city was surrounded by a moat and a defensive wall since nearby Burma was a constant threat, as were the armies of the Mongol Empire, which only decades earlier had conquered most of Yunnan, China, and in 1292 overran the bordering Thai Lü kingdom of Chiang Hung.[7]

With the decline of the Lanna Kingdom, the city lost importance and was occupied by the Burmese in 1556.[14] Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1775 by an agreement with Chao Kavila, after the Thai King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Because of Burmese counterattacks, Chiang Mai was abandoned between 1776 and 1791.[15] Lampang then served as the capital of what remained of Lanna. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading, and economic importance to its current status as the unofficial capital of Northern Thailand, second in importance only to Bangkok.[16]

The modern municipality dates to a sanitary district (sukhaphiban) that was created in 1915. It was upgraded to a municipality (thesaban) on 29 March 1935, as published in the Royal Gazette, Book No. 52 section 80. First covering just 17.5 km2 (7 sq mi), the city was enlarged to 40.2 km2 (16 sq mi) on 5 April 1983.[17]

Emblem

The city emblem shows the stupa at Wat Doi Suthep in its center. Below it are clouds representing the moderate climate in the mountains of Northern Thailand. There is a naga, the mythical snake said to be the source of the Ping River, and rice stalks, which refer to the fertility of the land.[18]

Climate

Chiang Mai has a tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen Aw), tempered by the low latitude and moderate elevation, with warm to hot weather year-round, though nighttime conditions during the dry season can be cool and much lower than daytime highs. The maximum temperature ever recorded was 42.4 °C (108.3 °F) in May 2005.[19]

Climate data for Chiang Mai (1981–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 35.5
(95.9)		 38.2
(100.8)		 40.8
(105.4)		 41.6
(106.9)		 42.4
(108.3)		 40.5
(104.9)		 39.3
(102.7)		 38.0
(100.4)		 41.2
(106.2)		 37.1
(98.8)		 36.5
(97.7)		 35.0
(95)		 42.4
(108.3)
Average high °C (°F) 29.8
(85.6)		 32.6
(90.7)		 35.2
(95.4)		 36.5
(97.7)		 34.2
(93.6)		 32.7
(90.9)		 31.8
(89.2)		 31.5
(88.7)		 31.7
(89.1)		 31.4
(88.5)		 30.1
(86.2)		 28.6
(83.5)		 32.18
(89.93)
Average low °C (°F) 14.9
(58.8)		 16.2
(61.2)		 19.5
(67.1)		 22.9
(73.2)		 23.8
(74.8)		 24.0
(75.2)		 23.9
(75)		 23.7
(74.7)		 23.2
(73.8)		 22.2
(72)		 19.2
(66.6)		 15.7
(60.3)		 20.77
(69.39)
Record low °C (°F) 0.5
(32.9)		 3.3
(37.9)		 7.8
(46)		 14.4
(57.9)		 17.2
(63)		 20.6
(69.1)		 20.0
(68)		 20.2
(68.4)		 19.7
(67.5)		 16.3
(61.3)		 11.1
(52)		 4.8
(40.6)		 0.5
(32.9)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 4.2
(0.165)		 8.9
(0.35)		 17.8
(0.701)		 57.3
(2.256)		 162.0
(6.378)		 124.5
(4.902)		 140.2
(5.52)		 216.9
(8.539)		 211.4
(8.323)		 117.6
(4.63)		 53.9
(2.122)		 15.9
(0.626)		 1,130.6
(44.512)
Average rainy days (≥ 1 mm) 1 2 2 6 14 14 16 18 20 14 5 1 113
Average relative humidity (%) 68 58 52 57 71 77 79 81 81 79 75 73 70.9
Mean monthly sunshine hours 272.8 251.4 269.7 258.0 217.0 177.0 170.5 161.2 156.0 198.4 234.0 263.5 2,629.5
Source #1: Thai Meteorological Department[20] (normal 1981–2010, avg. rainy days 1961–1990)
Source #2: Hong Kong Observatory[21] (sunshine)
Panorama, Chiang Mai during the rainy season, August 2014

Air pollution

A continuing environmental issue in Chiang Mai is the incidence of air pollution that primarily occurs every year towards the end of the dry season between February and April. In 1996, speaking at the Fourth International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement conference—held in Chiang Mai that year—the Governor Virachai Naewboonien invited guest speaker Dr. Jakapan Wongburanawatt, Dean of the Social Science Faculty of Chiang Mai University, to discuss air pollution efforts in the region. Dr. Wongburanawatt stated that, in 1994, an increasing number of city residents attended hospitals suffering from respiratory problems associated with the city's air pollution.[22]

During the February–March period, air quality in Chiang Mai often remains below recommended standards, with fine-particle dust levels reaching twice the standard limits.[23]

According to the Bangkok Post, corporations in the agricultural sector, not farmers, are the biggest contributors to smoke pollution. The main source of the fires is forested area being cleared to make room for new crops. The new crops to be planted after the smoke clears are not rice and vegetables to feed locals. A single crop is responsible: corn. The haze problem began in 2007 and has been traced at the local level and at the macro-market level to the growth of the animal feed business. "The true source of the haze...sits in the boardrooms of corporations eager to expand production and profits. A chart of Thailand's growth in world corn markets can be overlaid on a chart of the number of fires. It is no longer acceptable to scapegoat hill tribes and slash-and-burn agriculture for the severe health and economic damage caused by this annual pollution." These data have been ignored by the government. The end is not in sight, as the number of fires has increased every year for a decade, and data shows more pollution in late-February 2016 than in late-February 2015.[24]

The northern centre of the Meteorological Department has reported that low-pressure areas from China trap forest fire smoke in the mountains along the Thai-Myanmar border.[25] Research conducted between 2005 and 2009 showed that average PM10 rates in Chiang Mai during February and March were considerably above the country's safety level of 120 μg/m3, peaking at 383 μg/m3 on 14 March 2007.[26] According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the acceptable level is 50 μg/m3.[27]

Religious sites

Chedi, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

Chiang Mai has over 300 Buddhist temples ("wat" in Thai).[28] These include:

Culture

Festivals

Thousands of khom fai in Mae Jo during Loi Kratong
Splashing water on others during Songkran celebrations (picture from Chiang Mai)
Street scene, Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai hosts many Thai festivals, including:

Language

The inhabitants speak Kham Muang (also known as Northern Thai or Lanna) among themselves, though central Thai is used in education and is understood by almost everyone. English is used in hotels and travel-related businesses. The Kham Muang alphabet is studied only by scholars, and Northern Thai is commonly written with the standard Thai alphabet.[38]

Museums

Dining

Khantoke dinner is a century-old Lanna Thai tradition[40] in Chiang Mai. It is an elaborate dinner or lunch offered by a host to guests at various ceremonies or parties, such as weddings, housewarmings, celebrations, novice ordinations, or funerals. It can also be held in connection with celebrations for specific buildings in a Thai temple and during Buddhist festivals such as Khao Pansa, Og Pansa, Loi Krathong, and Thai New Year (Songkran). There are at least two Khantoke dinner/show options, one at the old Lanna Cultural Center near the Airport, and a newer one near the Superhighway to the east of the city, behind the Big C.

Education

Chiang Mai has several universities, including Chiang Mai University, Chiangmai Rajabhat University, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Payap University, Far Eastern University, and Maejo University, as well as numerous technical and teacher colleges. Chiang Mai University was the first government university established outside of Bangkok. Payap University was the first private institution in Thailand to be granted university status.

Nature

Nam Tok Huai Kaeo (lit. "Crystal Creek Waterfall") lies at the foot of Doi Suthep on the western edge of the city

Recreation

Transportation

Songthaew on Wua Lai Rd, Chiang Mai
Tuk-tuks near Tha Phae Gate, Chiang Mai

A number of bus stations link the city to Central, Southeast, and Northern Thailand. The Central Chang Puak terminal (north of Chiang Puak Gate) provides local services within Chiang Mai Province. The Chiang Mai Arcade bus terminal north-east of the city (which can be reached with a songthaew or tuk-tuk ride) provides services to over 20 other destinations in Thailand including Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, and Phuket. There are several services a day from Chiang Mai Arcade terminal to Mo Chit Station in Bangkok (a 10- to 12-hour journey).

The state railway operates 10 trains a day to Chiang Mai Station from Bangkok. Most journeys run overnight and take approximately 12–15 hours. Most trains offer first-class (private cabins) and second-class (seats fold out to make sleeping berths) service. Chiang Mai is the northern terminus of the Thai railway system.

Chiang Mai International Airport receives up to 28 flights a day from Bangkok (flight time about 1 hour 10 minutes) and also serves as a local hub for services to other northern cities such as Chiang Rai, Phrae, and Mae Hong Son. International services also connect Chiang Mai with other regional centers, including cities in other Asian countries.

The locally preferred form of transport is personal motorbike and, increasingly, private car.

Local public transport is via tuk-tuk, songthaew, or rickshaws. Local songthaew fare is usually 20–50 baht per person for trips in and around the city. For groups, the fare per person is less. Tuk-tuk fare is usually at least 60-100 baht per trip (the vehicles are comfortable for two passengers, but some can squeeze in four passengers); fares increase with distance.

Tourism

Courtyard, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

According to Thailand's Department of Tourism, in 2013 Chiang Mai had 14.1 million visitors: 4.6 million foreigners and 9.5 million Thais.[44]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand's Chiang Mai office expects the number of tourists from China to increase by at least 20% in 2013 over 2012, driven by the success of the Chinese film Lost in Thailand.[45] More than 80% of the film was shot in the province.

Chiang Mai has more than 32,000 hotel rooms[44] and Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is Thailand's fourth largest airport, after Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) in Bangkok, and Phuket (HKT).[46]

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) aims to market Chiang Mai as a global MICE city as part of a five-year plan. The TCEB forecasts revenue from MICE to rise by 10% to THB4.24 billion in 2013 and the number of MICE travellers to rise by 5% to 72,424.[47]

The influx of tourists has put a strain on the city's natural resources. Chiang Mai is faced with rampant unplanned development, air and water pollution, waste management problems, and traffic congestion. Local government appears powerless to enforce zoning and construction.

Notable persons

Twin towns and sister cities

Chiang Mai has agreements with four sister cities:[49]

Gallery

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Coedès, George (1968). Walter F. Vella, ed. The Indianized States of south-east Asia. trans.Susan Brown Cowing. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-0368-1.
  2. ↑ S.T. Leng (October–November 2010). "TCEB keen on World Expo 2020". Exhibition Now. Archived from the original on July 4, 2011. Retrieved 13 Jan 2013.
  3. ↑ Suchat Sritama (2011-04-05). "Ayutthaya Chosen Thailand's Bid City for World Expo 2020". The Nation (Thailand) Asia News Network. Retrieved 12 Dec 2012.
  4. ↑ Expo 2020
  5. ↑ Chiang Mai Citylife: Chiang Mai a Creativity City by James Austin Farrell. Chiangmainews.com (2011-01-01). Retrieved on 2011-12-14.
  6. ↑ "Best Destinations in the World; Travelers' Choice Awards 2014". TripAdvisor. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  7. 1 2 Barlow, Joel. "Chiang Rai Guide; History of Lanna, Forging a Successful Buffer State". Chiangraiprovince.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2010. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  8. ↑ "Chiang Mai Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand". Lonely Planet. 2011-10-24. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  9. ↑ "มหาวิทยาลัยนอร์ท-เชียงใหม่ [North - Chiang Mai University]". Northcm.ac.th. Archived from the original on April 24, 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  10. ↑ "Chiang Mai Municipality" (in Thai). Chiang Mai City. 2008. Archived from the original on September 15, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-04.
  11. ↑ Aroonrut Wichienkeeo (2001–2012). "Lawa (Lua) : A Study from Palm-Leaf Manuscripts and Stone Inscriptions". COE Center of Excellence. Rajabhat Institute of Chiangmai. Retrieved 15 Aug 2012.
  12. ↑ See also the Burmese chronicle of Chiang Mai, "The Zinme Yazawin", in Forbes, Andrew, and Henley, David, Ancient Chiang Mai Volume 4. Chiang Mai, Cognoscenti Books, 2012. ASIN: B006J541LE
  13. ↑ http://reninc.org/bookshelf/hilltribes_of_northern.pdf
  14. ↑ "History of Chiang Mai - Lonely Planet Travel Information". Lonelyplanet.com. 2006-09-19. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  15. ↑ "Thailand's World: General Kavila". Thailandsworld.com. 2012-05-06. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  16. ↑ Jimmy Carter; Rosalynn Carter (2009). "Thailand Transformation". Habitat for Humanity International. Archived from the original on September 13, 2010. Retrieved 15 Aug 2012.
  17. ↑ "Chiang Mai Municipality — History". Chiang Mai City. 2008. Archived from the original on 28 Jun 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-04.
  18. ↑ "Chiang Mai Municipality — Emblem". Chiang Mai City. 2008. Archived from the original on June 30, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-04.
  19. ↑ "Daily Climate Weather Data Statistics". Geodata.us. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  20. ↑ Thai Meteorological Department
  21. ↑ Hong Kong Observatory
  22. ↑ "Chiang Mai's Environmental Challenges", Fourth International Conference of Environmental Compliance and Enforcement
  23. ↑ "Air Pollution in Chiang Mai: Current Air Quality & PM-10 Levels". Earthoria. 2008-02-27. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  24. ↑ "Officials in a haze". Bangkok Post. 2016-02-23. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  25. ↑ "Chiang Mai's air pollution still high". Nationmultimedia.com. 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  26. ↑ http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs/30054.pdf
  27. ↑ "WHO Air quality guidelines for particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, Global Update 2005" (PDF). WHO. 2006. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
  28. ↑ "Lan Na Rebirth: Recently Re-established Temples", in Forbes, Andrew, and Henley, David, Ancient Chiang Mai, Volume 3. Chiang Mai, Cognoscenti Books, 2012. ASIN: B006IN1RNW
  29. ↑ "Wat Phra Singh Woramahaviharn", in Forbes, Andrew, and Henley, David, Ancient Chiang Mai, Volume 4. Chiang Mai, Cognoscenti Books, 2012. ASIN: B006J541LE
  30. ↑ ^ "Wat Chedi Luang: Temple of the Great Stupa", in Forbes, Andrew, and Henley, David, Ancient Chiang Mai, Volume 4. Chiang Mai, Cognoscenti Books, 2012. ASIN: B006J541LE
  31. ↑ "Wat Ku Tao: Chang Phuak's Watermelon Temple", in Forbes, Andrew, and Henley, David, Ancient Chiang Mai, Volume 1. Chiang Mai, Cognoscenti Books, 2012.
  32. ↑ "Wat Rampoeng Tapotharam" in Forbes, Andrew, and Henley, David, Ancient Chiang Mai, Volume 3. Chiang Mai, Cognoscenti Books, 2012.
  33. ↑ "Wat Suan Dok, the Flower Garden temple", in Forbes, Andrew, and Henley, David, Ancient Chiang Mai, Volume 3. Chiang Mai, Cognoscenti Books, 2012. ASIN: B006IN1RNW
  34. ↑ "Churches". Chiang Mai Info. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  35. ↑ "The Muslim Community Past and Present", in Forbes, Andrew, and Henley, David, Ancient Chiang Mai, Volume 3. Chiang Mai, Cognoscenti Books, 2012. ASIN: B006IN1RNW
  36. ↑ "Muslim Chiangmai" (bi-lingual Thai-English) (in Thai). Muslim Chiangmai. September 21, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2011. Samsudin Bin Abrahim is the Imam of Chang Klan Mosque in Chiang Mai and a vibrant personality within Chiang Mai's 20,000 Muslim community
  37. 1 2 3 "Chiang Mai — A Complete Guide To Chiangmai". Chiangmai-thai.com. 2008-07-06. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  38. ↑ See: Forbes, Andrew, "The Peoples of Chiang Mai", in Penth, Hans, and Forbes, Andrew, A Brief History of Lan Na. Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre, Chiang Mai, 2004, pp. 221-256.
  39. ↑ "Thai Coins History". Royal Thai Mint. 28 Mar 2010. Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved 19 Sep 2011.
  40. ↑ "Khan Tok Dinner". Lanna Food. Chiang Mai University Library. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  41. ↑ "Chiang Mai's Hill Peoples", in Forbes, Andrew, and Henley, David, Ancient Chiang Mai, Volume 3. Chiang Mai, Cognoscenti Books, 2012.
  42. ↑ "Shan Silversmiths of Wua Lai", in Forbes, Andrew, and Henley, David, Ancient Chiang Mai, Volume 4. Chiang Mai, Cognoscenti Books, 2012. ASIN: B006J541LE
  43. ↑ Lonely Planet (2012). "Shopping in Chiang Mai". Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  44. 1 2 "Internal Tourism in Chiang Mai" (PDF). Thailand Department of Tourism. Department of Tourism. 2014-08-20. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  45. ↑ Janjira Jarusupawat (12 Jan 2013). "Film Sparks Chinese Tourist Boom in Chiang Mai". The Nation. Retrieved 13 Jan 2013.
  46. ↑ "2013 (Statistic Report 2013)". About AOT: Air Transport Statistic. Airports of Thailand PLC. Retrieved 2014-12-09.
  47. ↑ Amnatcharoenrit, Bamrung. "Chiang Mai sees boost in MICE sector" (2013-09-27). The Nation. Retrieved 2014-12-09.
  48. ↑ http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/914997/chiang-mai-activist-wins-us-courage-award
  49. ↑ "Chiang Mai Municipality Information Slideshow". Chiang Mai Municipality. Section of Foreign Affairs Chiang Mai Municipality. Archived from the original on 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2013-12-31. (page 21)

External links

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