Chiang Mai province

Chiang Mai province is about 685 km (426 mi) from Bangkok in the Mae Ping River basin and is on average at 300 m (1,000 ft) elevation. Surrounded by the mountain ranges of the Thai highlands, it covers an area of approximately 22,135 km² (9,000 sq mi). The mountains of the Daen Lao Range (ทิวเขาแดนลาว) at the north end of the province, the Thanon Thong Chai Range (เทือกเขาถนนธงชัย) with the highest mountain in Thailand, Doi Inthanon at 2,565 metres (8,415 ft), stretching in a north–south direction, and the Khun Tan Range in the east of the province are covered by rain forest. The Mae Ping, one of the major tributaries of the Chao Phraya River, originates in the Daen Lao mountains. Several national parks are in the province: Doi Inthanon,[5] Doi Suthep-Pui,[6] Ob Luang,[7] Sri Lanna,[8] Huai Nam Dang,[9] Mae Wang,[10] and Pha Daeng.[11] The total forest area is 15,404 km² (5,948 sq mi) or 69.6 percent of provincial area.[2]

Chiang Mai has a tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen Aw), tempered by the low latitude and moderate elevation, with warm to hot weather year-round, though nighttime conditions during the dry season can be cool and are much lower than daytime highs. The maximum temperature ever recorded is 42.4 °C (108.3 °F) in May 2005.[15]

The city of Chiang Mai, the capital of Chiang Mai province, was also capital of the Lanna Kingdom after its founding in 1296, during the same period of time as the establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom.[16] From then, Chiang Mai not only became the capital and cultural core of the Lanna Kingdom, but also the centre of Buddhism in northern Thailand. King Meng Rai built many temples in the region.

In 1558, Chiang Mai became a colony of the First Toungoo Empire. Chiang Mai remained its colony for more than 200 years, until the Burmese–Siamese War (1775–1776). In 1774 the Burmese colonial regime were finally driven out of Chiang Mai by a coalition of Lanna and Siamese forces and it then became a tributary state of Siam, which later installed a Lanna chieftain ally, Kawila, to independently rule over Lampang and Chiang Mai region as a monarch.

In the reign of King Rama V of Siam, under his administrative centralization policy and due to the ineptitude of Chiang Mai's ruling family, Chiang Mai eventually lost its independence, was annexed and became a second level subdivision of Siam.

From 1933 on, Chiang Mai received its status as a "province" of Siam and has remained so until the present day.

Of the population, 13.4 percent in the province are members of hill tribes:

• Akha the largest population of any hill tribe in the region. Originating from Tibet and Southern China, they dwell on high ground around 1,200 metres (3,937 ft) above sea-level. Within their villages they build a spirit gateway to protect them from evil spirits.
• Hmong from southern China. Prefer higher elevations. They raise livestock and grow rice, corn, tobacco, and cabbage. Known for their embroidery and silver.
• Karen occupy valleys and riverbanks.
• Lahu from southern China and live in high areas. They are known as hunters and planters.
• 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.
• Tai Lue live in dwellings of usually only a single room wooden house built on high poles. They are skilled in weaving.
• Tai Yai, Burmese in origin, harvest rice, farm, raise cattle and trade. Their craftsmanship lies in weaving, pottery, wood carving and bronze ware.
• Yao reside on mountainsides and grow corn and other crops. They are skilled blacksmiths, silversmiths and embroiders.

The seal of the province shows a white elephant in a glass pavilion. The white elephant is a royal symbol in Thailand, and it is depicted to remember the offering of a white elephant by Thammalangka, a ruler of Chiang Mai, to his overlord, King Rama II of Bangkok. The pavilion symbolizes that Buddhism prospered in Chiang Mai, especially when in 1477 the teachings of Buddha, the Tripitaka, were reviewed.[17]

The provincial flower and tree is the "flame of the forest" (Butea monosperma).[17]

The provincial slogan is In the shadow of Mount Doi Suthep, blessed with rice customs and traditions, beautiful wild flowers, magnificent Nakhon Phing.[17]

Map of 25 districts

Chiang Mai is subdivided into 25 districts (amphoe). The districts are further divided into 204 subdistricts (tambon) and 2,066 villages (muban).

Health	Education	Employment	Income
39	10	56	17
Housing	Family	Transport	Participation
39	70	26	11
Province Chiang Mai, with an HAI 2017 value of 0.6159 is "somewhat high", occupies place 21 in the ranking.

Since 2003, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Thailand has tracked progress on human development at sub-national level using the Human Achievement Index (HAI), a composite index covering all the eight key areas of human development. The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) took over this task in 2017.[4]

Map with provinces and HAI 2017 rankings

Chiang Mai International Airport showing Doi Suthep temple in the upper left corner

• Road: Chiang Mai is on Highway 11, the only 2-digit road number in the province. Other roads connect the city of Chiang Mai with the north and south of the province, as well as with the east towards Chiang Rai province.
• Train: Chiang Mai railway station is the northern terminus of the Northern Line, operated by the State Railway of Thailand.
• Air: Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is one of the seven Thai international airports under the aegis of the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT).[20] As Chiang Mai International Airport is the major gateway to northern Thailand, it plays an important role in promoting travel and tourism throughout the northern region. Today, 14 airlines serve the airport and more than 3,000,000 passengers, 15,000 flights, and 16,000 tons of cargo are handled annually.*Songthaew

Chiang Mai province is the tourist hub of the north and one of Thailand's most important tourist destinations. It is considered one of the most scenic provinces in the country due to its mountain ranges, valleys, flora, and fauna. For example, the Hang Dong Canyon is coveted as a great tourist attraction. Furthermore, unlike most of Thailand, in some months, the climate in the north and Chiang Mai is cool, fresh, and misty.

Each amphoe of Chiang Mai has its own hospital, but among the largest are located in Mueang Chiang Mai District and include Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital and Nakornping Hospital.

Chiang Mai is a handicrafts centre, with a variety of antiques, silver jewellery, and embroidery, Thai silks and cottons, basketry, celadon, silverware, furniture, lacquerware, woodcarvings, and parasols.[21]

The north of Thailand's culture is Lanna in origin and the people are proud of their northern roots. The region is home to distinctive foods, music, arts, way of life, and even language. Chiang Mai is home to various hill tribes and their own distinctive cultures.

Local food

Khao soi

• Nam phrik ong is a type of Nam phrik 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 phrik num meaning "chili paste young man", is another kind of paste which can be eaten with pork crackling.
• Sai ua is a local sausage that is very aromatic and spicy and is usually eaten with sticky rice.
• Kaeng meaning "curry", is not made with 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 mainly of vegetables.
• Khanom chin nam ngiao is a traditional northern noodle dish with chicken or pork.
• Khao soi is a noodle dish which can be made from chicken, pork, or beef made with coconut milk and garnished with chopped fresh shallots, pickled cabbage, chilli paste to taste, and a slice of fresh lime.

There are two main sport stadia in Chiang Mai and its environs: 700th Anniversary Stadium and Province Stadium. 700th Anniversary Stadium is on Klongchonpratan Road, 7 km (4.3 mi) from Chiang Mai University. There are swimming pools, diving pool, basketball arena, and 11 tennis courts.

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  Chiang Mai, Yi Peng Festival
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  People floating krathong rafts during the Loi Krathong festival in Chiang Mai

The province is twinned with eight provinces/states.[22]

• Shanghai, China (2000)
• Yogyakarta, Indonesia (2007)
• Qingdao, China (2008)
• Chongqing, China (2008)
• Hokkaido, Japan (2013)[23]
• Bursa, Turkey (2013)
• Chiang Tung, Myanmar (2014)[24]
• Chengdu, China (2015)

Thaksin Shinawatra with Vladimir Putin at APEC Thailand 2003, Thaksin was born in San Kamphaeng District

• Thaksin Shinawatra (Thai: ทักษิณ ชินวัตร) (born 1949), politician and businessman
• Yingluck Shinawatra (Thai: ยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร) (born 1967), politician

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  The viewpoint at the 41st km of the Highway 1009, Doi Inthanon
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  Prunus cerasoides blooming at Doi Suthep–Pui National Park
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  Pong Dueat Hot Springs, Huai Nam Dang National Park
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  Ob Khan National Park
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  Mae Wang National park
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  Doi Chiang Dao mountain
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  Pha Daeng National Park in Chiang Dao District
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  The mountains of Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary in Chiang Dao District
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  A photo of a hill blue flycatcher in the Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
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  Bathing elephants in the Taeng River
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  Mae Thun Noi, Omkoi
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  The Fang River, part of the Mekong watershed, in Chai Prakan District
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  The lake of Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Dam, Si Lanna National Park
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  Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
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  East gate (Tha Phae Gate) of the city wall
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  Shopping Mall in Chiang Mai
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  Thaton countryside
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  Hmong girls
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  The "flame of the forest"

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chiang Mai Province.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Chiang Mai.

• Chiang Mai Creative City Page
• Website of Chiang Mai provincial administration
• Website of Chiang Mai Provincial Administration Organization