By Khomchan Tawanchai
To name a tourist province in Thailand, it would be a great mistake if anyone miss Chiang Mai. This northern province is as well-known to the world as Bangkok. People know Bangkok for its status as the capital of Thailand. Despite many tourist attractions, Bangkok is naturally known for its capital status. But for the rest 75 provinces in the country, why is Chiang Mai outstanding? There must be some reasons.
         
          Chiang Mai is like the capital of the North. In former times, it was the capital of the Lanna kingdom which had a long history like the history of Thailand. Lanna was an autonomous state and had its own language, ruler and territory. The distinctiveness enables Chiang Mai today to boast its unique cultures and traditions that were inherited from the old kingdom. The uniqueness is partly represented by a distinct spoken language and polite and beautiful manners that do not exist in other parts of the nation. The Lanna characteristics mesmerize not only foreigners but also Thai people in other regions. Chiang Mai has many impressive traditional festivals to which both Thai and foreign tourists are looking forward. Although other regions have tried to copy Chiang Mai’s festivals, they cannot reproduce the exactly memorable atmospheres and excitements that are indigenous to Chiang Mai. An example is the Yipeng festival that features the launches of lighted balloons in the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month. The similar balloon launches elsewhere cannot copy the grand atmosphere of the original Yipeng celebration in Chiang Mai. Also unique is Long Sapam, Chiang Mai’s float festival. The sights of floats that flow slowly in the Ping river in Chiang Mai is romantic and unforgettable.
         

          Another impressive aspect of Chiang Mai that draws considerable arrivals from all corners of the world is its ancient and unique buildings related to Buddhism. Sermon halls, ordination halls, temple gates and pagodas in Chiang Mai obviously reflect Lanna art and influences from Burma that had controlled Lanna for over two centuries. The beautiful combination of Lanna and Burmese art is evident in the buildings as well as handicrafts that were created as contribution to Buddhism. The art interests not only foreigners but also Thai people from other regions. Temples in Chiang Mai have their histories that justify long-standing public faith. The temples remain as the spiritual centers of local people as they still function as venues for religious ceremonies and thus receive good care from the people. It can be stated that temples in Chiang Mai will always be part of local life.

          Generosity, gentleness, politeness, and hospitality of Chiang Mai people are another magnet of this province. The local qualifications prompt visitors to head for Chiang Mai once they arrive in Thailand.

          Surrounded by small and large northern mountains, Chiang Mai is blessed with so many natural attractions that even Thai people may not wholly visit. Its places of interest include the spectacular Doi Inthanond mountain that boasts pristine moist evergreen forests and is an important catchment area of the country. Given its natural highlight, Doi Inthanond which is the highest mountain of Thailand is usually a main tourist destination and requires plenty of time for an overall tour. Chiang Mai possesses four highest mountains of the country. Apart from Doi Inthanond, the following rankings in the category of height are Doi Pha Hom Pok, Doi Luang Chiang Dao and Doi Langka Luang. These mountains also feature numerous and unique places of interest. Nature provides Chiang Mai with amazingly beautiful geological phenomena such as the famous Op Luang gorge, the appealing Pha Wing Choo cliff and Pha Singha Liaw which is Thailand’s largest earth pillar. These three places are in Hot district. Chiang Mai also houses the sites of the development projects that His Majesty the King initiated. The projects have successfully encouraged local people to grow crops instead of poppies and thus ended the area’s notorious aspect as a narcotic production base of the world community. Today the beautiful sites of these royal development projects are must-see tourist attractions, especially the site on Doi Ang Khang mountain.