CHIANG MAI AND CHIANG RAI

Chiang Mai is a very popular destination for both domestic and international travelers. During the New Year period the temperature drops to below 10 degrees centigrade, bringing a cool contrast to the normal tropical weather.

The city and its environs offer many sightseeing opportunities such as the temple on Doi Suthep, he hill tribe villages and waterfalls on Doi Intanon, the highest mountain in Thailand. There are also two magnificent Chedi's built in honour of His Majesty Queen Sirikit.

Chiang Mai is also the major center for handicrafts. Bargains galore can be found at the Night Bazaar and those looking for home décor and furniture items will find a Pandora's box at hangdong.

Your incentive group can have some fun times taking an elephant ride through the jungles or rafting down the rivers.

Further North to Chiang Rai they can visit the “Golden Triangle”, on the banks of the Mekong River, where from one point they can see Thailand, Laos and Myanmar.

Day trips can take them to Mae Sai whwew there is an interesting border market and up to the peak of Doi Tung where Her Royal Highness, the late Queen Mother had a palace built surrounded by beautiful Swiss-style gardens.

One of the reasons that the North is so popular is the diversity of cultures. Chiang Mai / Lampang erer the principal towns of the ancient Lanna Kingdom that pre-dates the establishment of Thailand during the Sukhothai era.

Evidence of this culture includes the unique design of the Buddhist temples in the region and the way that food is served on a low table called “kanthoke”. In addition, there are the cultures of the many different hill tribes, which is most obvious in their style of dress.

Dining in the Northern region is particularly delicious as he food is not as spicy and hot as that of the other regions of Thailand. The cool mountain climate has proved to be very suitable for the cultivation of vegetables and temperate fruits. So expect to see lots these on the menu.

Chiang Mai is also a cosmopolitan city offering many international menus

Party Time.

Imagine riding in to a village on elephants to party with the hill tribe people in their colorful costumes, or actually having a party with the elephants as your guests and the elephants dine in the unique “kanthoke” northern style.