First time in Chiang Mai

In 2000, during my first visit in Chiang Mai, I have definitely felt something really special there.
I have no idea why but I was and I will be linked to Chiang Mai forever.
My first time in Chiang Mai was in 2000 and I was fascinating from this nice and magic town.

As all the other photos of my trip in 2000 I had with me just a cheap point and shot camera bought in Pattaya.
The images of Chiang Mai could just give a fade idea of the real beauty.

Since 2000 the city has changed a lot, and for sure not in the best way: more cars, more noise, more pollution, more tourists, more chaos, more Italian restaurant and pizza.
Thai culture here, at least this is my opinion, is loosing its fascinating heritage.

I could not even imagine in 2000 that my destiny was going to bring me to live and work in Chiang Mai starting from June 2004 to March 2008.

Chiang Mai is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand, and is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. It is located some 700 km north of Bangkok, among some of the highest mountains in the country.

The city stands on the Ping river, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya river. In recent years, Chiang Mai has become an increasingly modern city. It has several attractions for the approximately 1 million visitors who come each year.

Chiang Mai has also gained prominence in the political sphere. Chiang Mai’s historic importance is derived from its strategic location on the Ping river as well as trade routes.
Long before the modern influx of foreign visitors, the city served as a major center for handcrafted goods, umbrellas, jewelry and woodcarving.

While officially the city of Chiang Mai only covers most parts of the Mueang Chiang Mai district with a population of 150,000, the urban sprawl of the city now extends into several neighboring districts.
This Chiang Mai Metropolitan Area has a population of nearly one million people, more than half the total of Chiang Mai Province.

The people generally speak Northern Thai or Lanna language among themselves, but Central Thai of Bangkok is used in education and is understood by most. English is generally used in hotel and travel-related businesses.

Posted on December 15, 2000

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