2 Trip Asia

Maehongsan Trip

2010-03-04T20:17:00.000-08:00

Maehongsan Trip

Maehongson, Thailand's northern border city, hiding itself in between the towering mountains with densely forested slopes, stretching to the Burmese border. Maehongson is known for its charm of scenery and culture. The people of Maehongson consists of the Shans who live in the city and the hilltribe people who live in remote villages on mountain tops where elements of lifestyle have changed little in hundreds of years.
The Shans' ancestors came from Shans region in Burma. The hilltribe people consist of Karen, Lisu, Mhong, Lahu, and Lua. Both the Shans and the hilltribemen have their own distinctive cultures. They have their own lilting dialect, their own architectural lifestyles, their own customs and traditions, and their own delicious cuisine. Throughout the year, Maehongson holds many festivals and events. Tourists can observe the distinction cultures from these events. There are different dances, rituals, and ceremonies for different events and festivals. Even the foods are different for each event.
The most remarkable tradition and also the most important event for the Shans is "Poy Sanglong Festival" which is the ordination ceremony for the Shans' boys. The event is held in March and there is one big celebration throughout the city.
The city is covered with the mist all year long. Maehongson gains its nickname of "the City of Three Mists" from the fact that it has dewy mist in the winter, forest fire mist in the summer and rainy mist in the rainy season. Maehongson, Thailand's northern border city, hiding itself in between the towering mountains with densely forested slopes, stretching to the Burmese border. Maehongson is known for its charm of scenery and culture. The people of Maehongson consists of the Shans who live in the city and the hilltribe people who live in remote villages on mountain tops where elements of lifestyle have changed little in hundreds of years.
The Shans' ancestors came from Shans region in Burma. The hilltribe people consist of Karen, Lisu, Mhong, Lahu, and Lua. Both the Shans and the hilltribemen have their own distinctive cultures. They have their own lilting dialect, their own architectural lifestyles, their own customs and traditions, and their own delicious cuisine. Throughout the year, Maehongson holds many festivals and events. Tourists can observe the distinction cultures from these events. There are different dances, rituals, and ceremonies for different events and festivals. Even the foods are different for each event.
The most remarkable tradition and also the most important event for the Shans is "Poy Sanglong Festival" which is the ordination ceremony for the Shans' boys. The event is held in March and there is one big celebration throughout the city.
The city is covered with the mist all year long. Maehongson gains its nickname of "the City of Three Mists" from the fact that it has dewy mist in the winter, forest fire mist in the summer and rainy mist in the rainy season.

The tourist can go by bus from Bangkok direct to Mae hong son:

The bus will depart from Bangkok northern bus station (in famous name "Mohchit song") everyday. "song" is not realy song but the meaning is number 2 that Thai's pronunciation.
This route have only one bus company. The company name is Sombat tour. You can buy bus ticket at the Bangkok bus station(Moh chit song) or use the web site to get more information. The bus have two options; one is VIP bus and another one is normal airconditioner bus.
The bus will take about 13 hours and pass many provinces along nothern Thailand. Sombat tour's Website (if you can read in Thai : ) http://www.sombattour.com
Sombat tour operation office number :
๏ฟฝTel. 02-5378333 ,02-5378383

Go by bus to Chiangmai, to Mae hong son:

This route more easier, you can take many buses from many companies at Bangkok northern bus station to Chiangmai. The bus companys go to this route every day. You will arrive Chiangmai frist, after that you can take a bus from Chiangmai to Pai at bus station, and then to Mae hong son on the rout highway 1095. This rout also have mini van from Chiangmai to Pai and then to Mae hong son. The van will take about 5 hours and seat avialable just 10 persons each. Another route is highway 108 (south way). It pass Hod, Mae sariang and go to Mae hong son.
From Bangkok to Chiangmai will take 8 hours and from Chiangmai to Mae hong son will take 7 hours.
Please note : the bus from Chiangmai to Mae hong son have only one company. It is Prem-pracha company.

Go by bus to Chiangmai and to Mae hong son go by airplane:

You have more choices to go to Mae hong son after you get to Chiangmai. You can go by airplane by Thaiairways airline from Chiangmai to Mae hong son. This way is famous for tourist to save thier travelling time. The airplane just small airplane. The seat avialable for 60 persons. And they have 3 flights per day. You can also check with thier schedule in the Thaiairway website.
Thai air ways website : www.thaiairways.com

Go by airplane to Chiangmai and to Mae hong son :

You can use two airlines from Bangkok to Mae hong son, one is Thaiairways and another one is SGA airline. The Thaiairways will stop at Chiangmai airport and you will change airplane there. For SGA airline, they is only one company that have directing flight from Bangkok to Mae hong son but thier aircraft too small. The seat avialable just 30 persons. Please check with thier website below;
SGA airline www.sga.co.th here : www.thaiairways.com

Go by train to Chiangmai and to Mae hong son :

You can get train from Bangkok at Bangkok rialway station (or Hoa lam phong) for go to Chiangmai. The train take along night and after that you can make decision how to go to Mae hong son. By bus, by minivan or by airplane as the recomandations above.
Please check the schedule with Thailand railway website.
Thailand railway website www.railway.co.th

Festivals & Religion

As most of the people in Maehongson were (and many still are) farmers,
the traditional ceremonies that take place throughout the year reflect the
rhythms of rice cultivation.

In Decembe

(Shan people call this month duan jeng) and January (duan gum), during the cold winter months after the rice has all been harvested, the local people make khao lam, which is a kind of sweet made from cooking rice inside bamboo sticks, and khao buk, which is steamed sticky rice pounded with sesame seeds. These sweets are made as offerings to Buddha and also to give out to friends and neighbors. During this time there are no specific religious festivals.

In February

(duan sam) the people celebrate the tradition of khao ya goo by giving out red sticky rice parcels. They make these by first of all steaming the sticky rice and mixing it with sugar cane, coconut and peanuts. They take the rice cakes to the temple to make offerings and also give them out to their friends and neighbor

In March

(duan see) heralds the start of the very important festival of Poi Sang Long, which is the ordination of young Shan boys as novice monks.

In April

(duan ha) there is the festival of Songkran, during which time the people prepare food and offerings to take to make merit at the temples.

In May

(duan hok) the festival of Poi Ja Dee takes place, during which time the people collect sand and take it to the temples to ake little chedis in the temple grounds during the time of the full moon and they all join together to make merit.

In June

(duan jed) the people make offerings to the village spirits at various sites throughout the area.

During July, August and September

(duan bet, gao, sip) the tradition of Dang Som Doh Long is held, which consists of making offerings of specially prepared food for the older people who are spending the Buddhist Lent months in the temples.

In October

(duan sipet) the festival of Hen Som Go Ja is held, which consists of making offerings to relatives who have already passed away. There are also celebrations to mark the end of the Lent season, or Jong Para. During the evening the people make processions carrying hand made castle like structures (to welcome the Buddha back from heaven where he went during the Lent season to visit his mother) to the temples, or else place them outside their homes to bring merit to their families. During these ceremonies there is music and dancing. Mostly the dancing is done by dancers dressed up as mythological creatures, such as the mythological half bird-half human ginaree and the mythological yak, which is held by two dancers, rather like a pantomime horse.

Foods

The people of Maehongson eat rice as their staple food. Recommended dishes include geang hang lae, which is made from pork amongst many other things, and can be found for sale in the local morning market. The preparation of food depends both on the everyday lives of the people and their merit making traditions. Usually, the men prepare the food for important festivals, such as Poi Sang Long (ordination of novice monks) and Poi Ja Dee (sand chedis) The most important ingredient of Shan food is tua naw kep, which are round flat cakes, 5''-6" in diameter, made from dried, fermented soya beans.

A famous Shan sweet is suay tamin.

Which is made from sticky rice that is steamed and then sugar is added. The mixture is put in a dish, covered with coconut milk and cooked over charcoals.

Alawa

Is similar to suay tamin but is instead made from rice flour and cooked with coconut milk, butter or durian.

Bamong

Is made from flour and sodium bicarbonate, and mixed with coconut milk and sugar. There are many other kinds of sweets, such as khao tom glauy (steamed bananas and sticky rice), khao tom tua (steamed rice and soya beans) and khao tom gathi (steamed rice and coconut milk).

Thailand-Chiangmai

2009-12-27T23:43:00.000-08:00

Geography

Chiang Mai province is about 700 km from Bangkok and is situated on the Mae Ping River basin and is 300 m above sea level. Surrounded by high mountain ranges, it covers an area of approximately 20,107 km². The district is covered by many mountains, chiefly stretching in the south-north direction. The river Ping, one of the major tributaries of the Chao Phraya River, originates in the Chiang Dao mountains. The highest mountain of Thailand, the 2,565 meter high Doi Inthanon, is located in the province. Several national parks are in the district: Doi Inthanon, Doi Suthep-Pui, Mae Ping, Sri Lanna, Huay Nam Dang, Mae Phang, Chiang Dao.

The mountainous terrain is mainly jungle, parts of which are within national parks which are still fertile and verdant with plentiful flora and fauna. There are many sites and locations where tourists prefer to visit to study the lifestyle of the tribal people who live on high hills.

13.4% of the population on the province are members of the hill tribes, among them the Hmong, Yao, Lahu, Lisu, Akha and Karen.

History

Pratat DoiSuthep, a temple inChiang Mai

The city of Chiang Mai was capital of the Lanna Kingdom after its founding in 1296. During the same period of time as the establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom. 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 and King Meng Rai built innumerable temples.

In 1599 the kingdom lost its independence and became part of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. This ending the dynasty founded by King Meng Rai which had lasted for 300 years. The occupiers Burma, had a powerful Burmese influence on the architecture which can still be seen today. It was only in the late 18th century that Burma was finally defeated with the leadership of King Taksin.

In 1932 the province Chiang Mai became the second level subdivision of Thailand when the administrative unit of Monthon Phayap, the remains of the Lanna Kingdom, was dissolved.

Climate

From November to February during the cool season, Chiang Mai province experiences pleasantly mild sunny weather with temperatures in the city area on average ranging between 15 Celsius at night and around 28 Celsius in daytime. At higher elevations, temperatures can sometimes dip down to freezing point at night. It doesn't snow, but sleet does occur at times.

During the hot season, lasting from March to May, temperatures especially in the city are high, rising into the high 30s.

The rainy season in the north is from June to October.

Attractions

Doi Suthep-Doi Pui National Park The park consists of forests and mountain ranges. Major mountains include Doi Suthep, Doi Buak Ha, and Doi Pui. This is a main source of tributaries and streams in Chiang Mai. Sacred places, religious attractions and historical sites are located in the park complex.

Walking Street Chiang Mai municipality has organized, since 2006, the Chiang Mai Sunday Evening Walking Street at the Three Kings Monument Courtyard. It has turned into a thriving Sunday evening market which now encompasses nearly the whole of Rachadamnoen road (the main road of the old city), many of its side streets and the square in front of Thapae gate. It is renowned for the locally made handicrafts. In addition, Chiang Mai also organises a Saturday Evening Walking Street on Woa Lai road which runs from Chiang Mai gate, on the south side of the old city, towards the airport.

Chiang Mai Zoo is located next to Huai Kaeo Arboretum. It is a large zoo, which occupies the lower forested slopes of Doi Suthep Mountain. The zoo contains more than 200 types of Asian and African mammals and birds.

Doi Inthanon National Park : at 2,565 m, Doi Inthanon is Thailand's highest mountain and one of the coolest peaks. Besides the actual mountain itself, there are a variety of other attractive locations such as Mae Ya, Wachirathan and Siriphum waterfalls and Bori Chinda Cave.

Pang Chang Mae Sa: The elephant shows are a demonstration of the elephants' abilities in log-hauling. After the end of the performance, visitors are able to have a go at riding an elephant.

Wat Phra Singh , houses the revered Phra Phuttha Sihing Buddha (พระพุทธสิหิงค์) image cast in Subduing Mara. The Buddha image is now enshrined in Viharn Lai Kham. The temple compound includes the lovely Viharn Lai Kham featuring exquisite woodcarvings and northern-style murals paintings, a magnificent scriptural repository with striking bas relief, and a circular stupa (in Lankan bell shape).

Mae Sa Waterfall The famous 8-tiered waterfall in Amphoe Mae Rim occupies a natural setting among towering trees, covered with a lovely breeze all year round.

Night Bazaar: Every evening the center of the provincial city holds one of the provinces biggest markets, selling a huge variety of goods to tourists, both foreign and Thai. The market is 3 blocks long and is surrounded by restaurants, cafes and travel agents.

Nightlife

For those who love nothing more than a decent night on the town, then Chiang Mai has one of the land's funkiest nightlife. Types of nightlife available include:

Discos are popular with the younger trendier crowd.
Live music pubs/restaurants playing either Thai folk music and/or international pop classics.
Karaoke clubs can be found all around.
Barbecues are large open-air restaurants which play music and serve alcohol.
Bar Beers are popular with foreign male tourists.
Thai Pubs are not like Western ones, they are usually huge.
Western pubs serving draft beer.

Local Products

Chiang Mai is the center of handicrafts with a variety of antiques, silver jewellery, and embroidery, Thai silks and cottons, basketry, celadon, silverware, furniture, lacquerware, woodcarvings and parasols. Major Chiang Mai products include:
Cottons & Silks

Umbrellas/ Parasols - These are inextricably associated with Bo Sang where villagers have been engaged in their manufacture for at least 200 years. All materials, silks, cottons, Sa paper (manufactured from the bark of the mulberry tree) and bamboo are produced or found locally.

Silverware - Traditional skills and a guaranteed content of at least 92.5% pure silver invest bowls, receptacles and decorative items.

Lacquerware - This decorative are enhanced items made of wood, bamboo, metal, paper and baked clay, in the form of receptacles, ornaments and various souvenirs.

Furniture/ Woodcarving - Major woods and materials include teak, rosewood and rattan. Items may be unadorned or, especially with teak and rosewood, carved in traditional or modern designs. Woodcarving is a traditional northern Thai art featured in numerous temples. In recent years, woodcarving has increasingly embellished furniture, gracing screens, chairs, tables, beds, figurines, carved elephant indeed anything bearing a wooden surface large enough to be carved.

Hilltribe Products - These include silver ornaments, such as bracelets, necklace, pendants and pipes of intricate design, and embroidered items including tunics, jackets, bags, purses, caps and dress lengths.

Gold Plated Orchids & Butterflies - Orchids and butterflies are preserved and plated with 24-carat gold to create unusual gift items such as necklace pendants, hairpins and earrings.

Pottery - Chiang Mai is the major centre of Thailand's pottery industry. Prized items include high-fired celadon which is produced in many forms, including dinner sets, lamp bases and decorative items.

Sa (Mulberry) Paper Products: Chiang Mai is also famous for its Sa paper products a handmade, multi-purpose natural fiber. Sa products that come in different, distinctive designs include cards, notebooks, stationery, boxes, bags, photo frames, lanterns, gift wrapping paper, etc.

Entertainment/Activities

The city of Chiang Mai has a wide variety of activities.

Elephant Show The show begins with elephants bathing to cool themselves then mahouts would place a log harness on their backs. Finally, elephants will demonstrate their forestry skills. Elephant riding and rafting are the most popular activities. Some of the Elephant training centers are:

Pang Chang Mae Taeng (ปางช้างแม่แตง)
Chiang Dao Elephant Training Centre (ศูนย์ฝึกช้างเชียงดาว)
Pang Chang Mae Sa (ปางช้างแม่สา)
Pang Chang Pong Yaeng (ปางช้างโป่งแยง)

Mountain Biking Mountain biking is done on several routes in Chiang Mai including around the old city moats.

Homestay at Ban Mae Kampong The village is situated in a mountainous area with jungle surroundings. Nearby attractions include waterfalls, a cotton weaving village and the Huai Hong Khrai Royal Agricultural Station.

Hilltribes Trekking Of particular interest to most are the six major hilltribes which inhabit the Northern Highlands. The largest group is Karen, followed by the Meo, Lahu, Yao, Akha and Lisu. They share animism beliefs and honour numerous forest and guardian spirits. Each tribe has distinctive ceremonial attire, courtship rituals, games, dances, agricultural customs, languages or dialects, aesthetic values and hygienic habits.

Bamboo Rafting-Whitewater Rafting Bamboo Rafting along the Mae Taeng River (ล่องแพลำน้ำแม่แตง) is very popular because the river zigzags along the valleys. The river tide is not too rough and the surroundings on both sides are admirable.

Cruising along the Ping River Maenam Ping is the main river in Chiang Mai. While cruising, people can witness the atmosphere of Chiang Mai, as well as the local lifestyle on both sides of the Ping River.

Artificial Rock Climbing Artificial Rock Climbing (ไต่หน้าผาจำลอง) can be practised at the Peak Rock Climbing Plaza.

Golf Courses Due to the pleasant natural surroundings and climate, Chiang Mai is popular for playing golf. There are many courses in the province.

Spa Spa treatment in Chiang Mai includes both traditional remedies and healing arts alongside modern techniques. This treatment, in terms of service available, has escalated over the past few years and there are now innumerable locations offering spa service – often including a Jacuzzi and steam bath.

Shopping Shopping in Chiang Mai is one of the most popular activities of the region. Besides the usual abundance of shopping malls and department stores, there is a huge variety of local markets. The Night Bazaar in downtown Chiang Mai is the most popular location for shopping.

Local Culture

The north of Thailand's culture is Lanna in origin and the people are very proud of their northern roots. The region is home to distinctly different food, music, arts, way of life and even language. Chiang Mai is also a melting pot of hill tribes and their own unique cultures.

Traditional lifestyle of the hilltribes

Tai Yai, Burmese in origin, harvest rice, farm, raise cattle and trade. Their craftsmanship lies in weaving, pottery, wood carving and bronzeware.

Akha have the largest population of any hill tribe in the region. Originating from Tibet and Southern China, they dwell on high grounds around 1,200 meters above sea-level. Within their villages they build a Spirit Gateway to protect them from evil spirits.

Lahu are also from Southern China and live in high areas. They are known as hunters and planters.

Karen live in various areas of the region which have valleys and riverbanks.

Hmong from southern China are located on high land. They raise livestock and grow rice, corn, tobacco and cabbage. They are also known for their embroidery and silver.

Tai Lue live in dwellings of usually only a single room wooden house built on high poles. They are skilled in weaving.

Lisu from southern China and Tibet are renowned for their colorful dress and also build their dwellings on high poles. They harvest rice and corn and their men are skilled in hunting.

Yao reside along mountain sides and grow corn and other crops. They are skilled blacksmiths, silversmiths and embroiders.

Events and Festivals

The roads along the moats of Chiang Mai are full of vehicles during the water splashing festival of Songkran

Bo Sang Umbrella Festival is held in January at Bo Sang Handicraft Centre. The festival features paper products, paper parasols in particular, cultural shows, a parade showing traditional ways of life, and several contests.

Flower Festival is held in February. The festival includes ornamental garden flower contests, floral floats parade in the morning and beauty pageants. The parade begins at Chiang Mai Railway Station and passes Nawarat Bridge and ends at Nong Buak Hat Park.

Songkran Festival is held annually from 13 to 15 April. The 13th of April is the Great Songkran day featuring the revered Phra Phuttha Sihing (พระพุทธสิหิงค์) Buddha image parade around Chiang Mai town for bathing, sand pagoda forming, blessing of elders, and water splashing.

Doi Suthep Pilgrimage On the night of Visakha Bucha Day, worshippers gather to light candles and make the 7-kilometre pilgrimage up to the temple on Doi Suthep.

City Pillar Inthakin Festival is held to invoke blessings of peace, happiness and prosperity for the city and its residents. Buddha images are paraded around the city. It is held at Wat Chedi Luang for 7 auspicious days and nights in the 7th lunar month.

Yi Peng Festival is held annually on Loy Krathong day (วันลอยกระทง). The festival features the release of lanterns into the sky to worship the gods. There are also fireworks, lantern contests, and beauty pageants.

Art

Chiang Mai province is known as one of the world's top centers for the cottage industry. The area is popular for traditional handicrafts made by craftsmen using skills which have been down through countless generations. They include: silverware, lacquerware, celadon pottery, silk and cotton, hand-painted paper umbrellas and more.

Local Food

Nam Prik Ong is a type of chili paste which is made of minced pork and tomatoes. It is usually eaten with soft-boiled vegetables, pork crackling or deep-fried crunchy rice cakes.

Nam Prik Noom meaning in English Chili Paste Young Man, is another kind of paste that is extremely popular in the north and eaten also by Thais of all regions. It is often eaten with pork crackling.

Sai Ua is a local Chiang Mai sausage that is very aromatic and spicy and is usually eaten with sticky rice.
Kaeng meaning curries are not made of coconut milk in the north.
- Kaeng Hang-Le is northern-style pork curry
- Kaeng Om is a spicy curry consisting of intestines
- Kaeng Khae is a spicy curry consisting of vegetables.

Khanom Chin Nam Ngiao is a traditional noodle dish with chicken of the North.

Khao Soi is another popular noodle dish which can be made from chicken, pork or beef. What makes it unique is that it contains coconut milk and it is garnished with garlic.

Learn

Visitors to Chiang Mai have the opportunity to learn a variety of different Thai-style activities. These activities include Muay Thai (Thai Boxing), Thai cooking, Thai massage and Vipassana Meditation.

Retirement

There are approximately 5,000 expatriates living in Chiang Mai making it one of the most popular destinations for retirement in Thailand. This is probably due to the cool climate, natural surroundings and lower cost of living.

Trip to Thailand

2009-12-11T21:14:00.000-08:00

Thailand most popular place.
Northern thailand, Chiang mai, Chiang rai, Mae hong son,

Mae Hong Son-Thailand

Soutthern thailand, krabi, Petchaburi,

Second be 4 come to asia

2009-12-11T20:57:00.000-08:00

The second before you came to asia, you have to know about the Public International Law.
:)

First thing you have to know in Asia

2009-12-11T20:47:00.000-08:00

Welcome 2 trip asia

the first thing that you have to know in Asia.
Asia's tremendous size, its regions have a wide variety of climates. These varied climates include the bitter cold of the polar north; the hot, dry desert environment of the center and southwest; and the hot, humid conditions of the tropical south. The map and legend show what the climate is like throughout the continent.

Climate
Winds called monsoons influence the climate of much of Asia. A monsoon blows regularly in the same direction during definite seasons. In winter, monsoons from the north move into East Asia and cause cold, dry weather. The wind switches in summer and blows from the seas that lie south and southeast of that region. It causes hot, humid weather.

Rainfall
Most of East Asia's rain falls between April and October. The rainfall is heaviest in the east, and it decreases away from the sea.

Monsoons from the northeast pass through South Asia and Southeast Asia from November to March. They cause the coolest weather in those two regions. Beginning in April, monsoons from the southwest send temperatures soaring. From May to October, wet monsoons bring heavy rains from the south seas. Many of these monsoons cause floods.

In Southwest Asia, monsoons affect only the southern and southwestern coasts of the Arabian Peninsula. Most of Southwest Asia has long, hot summers and mild winters. Inland, temperatures often climb above 115 degrees F (46 degrees C) in summer. But there are no clouds to keep the daytime heat close to the earth at night. A warm but comfortable night may follow an extremely hot day. The region's heaviest rains fall in Turkey near the Black Sea and in the Caucasus region between the Black and Caspian seas. Some parts of the Arabian Peninsula receive no rain for several years at a time.

Bitter cold polar weather keeps part of northern Siberia's land frozen the year around. In the grasslands in the southwest, the temperatures vary from 3 degrees F (-16 degrees C) in January to 64 degrees F (18 degrees C) in July. Central Asia's climate ranges from extremely cold in its mountain regions to extremely hot and dry in the deserts.