Tag Archives: Chiang Rai

Tribal Culture & Mexican Sunflower Blossom Chiang Rai: A Celebration of Thai Culture in the Blooming Sunflower Fields

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There are several reasons why Thailand is one of the world’s most frequently visited travel destinations. If you are living in Asia, it is one of the region’s most easily accessible countries with year round good weather allowing visitors to explore all that Thailand has to offer ranging from bustling streets and boutiques in Bangkok to the beautiful beaches of Phuket and the majestic rock formations in Phang Nga. Another addition to Thailand’s list of must-visit cities is Chiang Rai situated in North-Western Thailand.

Lying 860 kilometers to the north of Bangkok and just shy of the Thai-Myanmar border, Chiang Rai is the largest city in northern Thailand home to many Chiang Rai Hotels. Founded in the mid-13th century, Chiang Rai city is the heart of Thai culture and its surrounding limestone hills are home to the country’s hill tribes who guard a culture that is uniquely their own. If you are on a cultural tour across Thailand, make sure to visit Chiang Rai in the months of November and December when the city celebrates the Mexican Sunflower Festival in the fields some distance away from Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort.

The blooming Mexican Sunflowers in the fields surrounding Thailand’s Northern Province is a breathtaking sight that must not be missed with the large Mexican Sunflowers, known locally as bua-tong, colouring the hills near Chiang Rai with their characteristic yellow hue. A seasonal flower that blooms only for a month, the Mexican Sunflowers is a proud symbol of northern Thailand. To celebrate the highly anticipated Sunflower blossoming, Chiang Rai hosts the popular Sunflower Bloom Festival in the Sunflower field in Ban Pong Village. The festival includes tribal sports competitions and dance performances in addition to numerous cultural shows and competitions and as a tribute to the blossoming Sunflowers, a Sunflower painting contest. Here, food stalls sell a range of delectable traditional dishes and also a few tribal dishes. The Mexican Sunflower Festival is followed by the Chiang Rai Flower Festival that includes flower processions, Miss Thinn Thai Ngarm Contest and also an agricultural and flower fair.

 

Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.

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The Rocket Festival To Tear Up the Mighty Skies

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Thailand is indeed a city of great delights offering many fascinations to keep its travellers occupied. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Thailand is certainly rich with the tang of the Asian cultures as well the zest of the modern development.
A visitor to Thailand will undoubtedly not find time to laze around and spend time idly as the scintillating delights of the country are abundant and plentiful. Complete with beaches, shopping malls, fascinating structures of ancient appeal, as well the savour of the local customs and festivals, make this country truly a place of great entertainment. A visit to Thailand will indeed be an enriching experience for everyone given this plethora of loveliness and delights.
Among the many festivals that are celebrated by the locals in Thailand, the Rocket Festival is one of the most colourful, beautiful and symbolic festivals. The uniqueness of this festival further heightens the appeal of it and makes it one of the most striking festivals in the country. The Rocket Festival which is called the Bung Bang Fai in Thai, is celebrated in the north eastern region of Thailand and is mainly centred around the areas of Nong Khai, Ubon Ratchanthani and Yasothon.
Village crafted rockets tear up the skies during this festival that takes place based on the patterns of the moon from mid May to Mid June. This wonderful festival is believed to bring rains upon the fields of rice in the villages that thrive on the cultivation of rice. It is indeed a beauty to behold as the wonders of the country of Thailand, its culture and traditions are so richly encapsulated in the glory of this festival.
Become a part of the Rocket Festival and create memories that could be cherished forever while also indulging in the finest of luxury of Chiang Rai hotels to have the perfect, blissful holiday experience of your life. A hotel Chiang Rai offers such as Anantara Golden Triangle Thailand will indeed complement your perfect holiday with the ultimate standards of service and excellence, leaving you mesmerized and delighted well beyond measure.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Caliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.

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Chulalongkorn Day- Commemorating a great leader

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On the Chulalongkorn Day, Thais get together to commemorate the death anniversary of one of their greatest kings known as Rama v or better still as king Chulalongkorn. This great king who passed away in 1910 was one of the most remembered kings who recreated history through several noteworthy diplomatic moves that helped the country and its people lead lives of freedom especially releasing them from foreign invasion and slavery.

This day is celebrated on the 23rd October and is considered a National holiday and if the holiday falls on a weekend, it is substituted with the following weekday so that a three day weekend ensures for the Thai people. Most people take this opportunity to visit their home towns or spend a coastal vacation at one of the famous beaches in Thailand. Some other people adorn their walls with the picture of the King as it is believed to bring good luck and this is specially carried out by shop owners who strive for prosperity.

The king who has thus commanded so much of respect and praise has been instrumental in releasing the country from the practice of slavery, being made aware of the bloodshed that occurred in US due to this. He instituted diplomacy in the country by enabling princes to send abroad for studies who brought back with them the concepts and idealisms of countries like the republic of France which brought about the concepts of diplomacy. The king was also responsible for keeping Siam free from the grip of colonisation through careful method and planning. The king who visited many countries has observed their political trends which he brought back to improve many political aspects and bring about reforms to his country which are remembered and admired to this day. The service he rendered to the people by this name earned him the name of ‘phra phiya maharat’ which means the great beloved king.

For a traveller visiting the region in these holidays, many Chiang Rai hotels offer an excellent prospect to stay over and enjoy the city and observe its celebrations and traditions. Anantara Golden Triangle Thailand combines the majesty of a royal residence together with modern day’s indispensible comforts for a stay that is refreshingly unique and pleasant. From the cool mountain air leading from the balcony to the teak wooden floors and cosy linens, this hotel Chiang Rai breathes luxury from every nook and corner and promises a stay that is timeless and memorable.

King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament, a unique contest

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Ever since its commencement in 2001, the enthralling King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament in Thailand has acquired a reputation as a unique and highly entertaining sporting event. Visitors from across the globe visit the country to observe this amazing display of common endeavour from human and elephant.

The proceeds of the tournament are donated to charity, primarily for the overall benefit of elephants in Thailand. As one might expect in an event organized for this objective, the welfare of the elephants who take part is considered to be of paramount importance. Stringent guidelines have been implemented to ensure that the pachyderms are humanely treated at all times. This can be achieved effectively as Thailand uses a sophisticated system of micro-chipping all legitimate domesticated pachyderms, so that all elephants in the tournament must have been bred domestically and not acquired from the forests or illegally transported from neighbouring nations.

The spectacle of these massive creatures engaging in this captivating sport is always a memorable experience. It is amazing to witness these immensely powerful creatures obediently and with apparent enjoyment obeying the commands of their riders in this good-natured competition. The welfare of the elephants is always of supreme importance and any rider who abuses his or her elephant is penalized severely.

For this yearly event 24 young healthy elephants are given a break from their regular occupations and employed for the polo competition. The selected elephants are kept in a comfortable forest setting and provided with the best nutrition possible. They are also given a comprehensive veterinary screening to ensure that they are suitable for the competition.

The King’s Cup Tournament has taken place annually for a decade, having evolved from a minor two-day contest to an extravaganza lasting a week and featuring a dozen teams from across the globe with up to 40 players from 15 nations or more. With its international fame and renown this event is set to move from strength to strength and will appeal to anyone who has an interest in pachyderms or keen sporting competition.

Discerning visitors to the country seeking Chiang Rai hotels will be pleased by Anantara Golden Triangle Thailand. This fine hotel Chiang Rai offers provides excellent accommodations and attentive service.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Phu Chi Fah Dok Sieo Festival – a sight to behold

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Beautiful and exotic Thailand has an innumerable collection of tourist attractions. White sand beaches, blue oceans, beautiful old temples, clubs pubs and restaurants to explore all the good times that eastern cities such as Bangkok have to offer. In addition to the many beaches and other places of attraction that one could visit, there are also a large number of festivities that one could attend. Some of them are held every year, and Phu Chi Fah Dok Sieo Festival is one such colourful event.

It is celebrated from 13th to 15th of February every year and provides a wonderful sight for anyone who visits it. There are many pink and white blossoms of Dok Sieo located at Sieo at Phu Chi Fah, which is truly a sight to behold. Since the fest is around mid February coinciding with the much hyped up Valentine’s Day, it is possible to make a trip here double up as a Valentine’s day getaway as well by staying at a nice hotel for a couple of days and exploring the many attractions in the area with your loved one. Not just for couples, it is also a great holiday options for families and friends as well.

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One can watch many lively performances carried out by various tribes from the hilly areas. These tribal performances include those by Akha, Homng and Yao tribes. The numerous shows and displays include top spinning shows, performances showcasing their skills in archery, various ball games and even beauty pageants. What is more there are also a large number of stalls selling various local products.

For any couple looking forward to attend this festival as a romantic trip during Valentines day or for anyone keen on exploring what is going on at this event, there are a variety of Chiang Rai hotels at which they can choose to stay. Located amidst Northern Thailand’s verdant greenery Anantara Golden Triangle Thailand is one of the most idyllic Hotel Chiang Rai to stay at during a memorable vacation and you can be sure to be pampered to the best while you enjoy the best this place has to offer to its guests, who come in search of rest and relaxation.

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry.
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