Tommie’s Tourist Agency was in the late 60’s and early 70’s a leading tour organiser in Chiengmai as Chiang Mai was spelt in those days. The company’s main office was in Bangkok. The “Chiengmai”...

The first Chiang Mai Railway station was opened on January 22, 1922. It was destroyed during World War Two during an air raid by planes of the USAAF (United States Army Air Forces). Japanese...

Many Chiang Mai residents are familiar with the Poy Luang Hotel. This hotel has been closed for probably about 20 years. It is a 16-storey structure located on the super highway with the characteristic...

Wat Rampoeng Tapotaram (วัดร่ำเปิง ตโปทาราม) is located at the foot of Doi Suthep, the mountain that overlooks Chiang Mai. It is a well-known meditation centre. It offers a 10-day long silent Vipassana meditation retreat....

Over the years Songkran (ประเณีสงกรานต์) changed to what it is now. In the 50’s and 60’s festivities were concentrated in the Thapae road/Ping River area. Revellers were standing in the river splashing water on...

Who doesn’t like old pictures of Chiang Mai? Of the Songkran festival (in Thai: ประเพณีสงกรานต์) there are many pictures to be found online but what story do they tell? Most of the black and...

Wat Ku Tao, the Shan Temple Wat Ku Tao aka Wat Weruwanaramwiharn is a Buddhist temple located in Tambon Sriphum in Chiang Mai, next to the municipal stadium. “Weruwan Wiharn” means temple in the...

In the past ox carts were a familiar sight in the streets of Chiang Mai. They were of course widely used in rural areas but they also transported goods from the railway station and...