Chiang Mai Province

Chiang Mai
Province
เชียงใหม่

Seal


   Chiang Mai in    Thailand
Coordinates: 18°50′14″N 98°58′14″E / 18.83722°N 98.97056°E / 18.83722; 98.97056Coordinates: 18°50′14″N 98°58′14″E / 18.83722°N 98.97056°E / 18.83722; 98.97056
Capital Chiang Mai
Government
  Governor Pawin Chamniprasat (since October 2015)
Area
  Province 20,107 km2 (7,763 sq mi)
Population (2015)
  Province

1,728,242 <ref http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2559/E/048/27.PDF>{{cite web|title=Population of the Kingdom|

url=http://stat.bora.dopa.go.th/stat/pk/pk_57.pdf|website=Department of Provincial Affairs (DOPA) Thailand| accessdate=19 Mar 2015|language=Thai|date=2014-12-31}}</ref>
  Urban 654,649
Human Development Index
  HDI (2010) 0.792 (high) (rank?)
Postal code 50xxx
Calling code 053
Vehicle registration เชียงใหม่
Accession into Siam (Thailand) 1910
Website http://www.chiangmai.go.th

Chiang Mai (Thai: เชียงใหม่, pronounced [t͡ɕʰīaŋ.màj]; Lanna: ᨩ᩠ᨿᨦᩉᩲ᩠ᨾ᩵, pronounced [tɕiaŋ.màj]) is the second-largest province (changwat) of Thailand. It is in the country's north. It is bordered by Chiang Rai to the northeast, Lampang and Lamphun to the south, Tak to the southwest, Mae Hong Son to the west, and Shan State of Burma to the north. The capital, Chiang Mai, is 685 km north of Bangkok.

Geography

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 20,107 km2 (8,000 sq mi). The mountains of the Daen Lao Range (ทิวเขาแดนลาว) at the north end of the province, the Thanon Thong Chai Range (เทือกเขาถนนธงชัย) 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. The highest mountain in Thailand, Doi Inthanon at 2,565 metres (8,415 ft), is in Chiang Mai Province.[1] Several other national parks are also in the province: Doi Suthep-Pui,[2] Ob Luang,[3] Sri Lanna,[4] Huai Nam Dang,[5] Mae Wang,[6] and Pha Daeng.[7]

History

Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai

The city of Chiang Mai was capital of the Lanna Kingdom after its founding in 1296, during the same period of time as the establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom.[8] From then, Chiang Mai not only became the capital and cultural core of the Lanna Kingdom, it was also the centre of Buddhism in northern Thailand and King Meng Rai built innumerable temples.

In 1599, the kingdom lost its independence and became part of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. This ended the dynasty founded by King Meng Rai, an era that last 300 years. The Burmese occupiers, had a powerful Burmese influence on the architecture which can still be seen today. It was only in the late 18th century that Burma was finally defeated with the leadership of King Taksin.

In 1932 the province Chiang Mai moved up to the second level subdivision of Thailand when the administrative unit of Monthon Phayap, the remains of the Lanna Kingdom, was dissolved.

Demographics

Hilltribe Girls

13.4% of the population in the province are members of hill tribes, among them the Hmong, Yao, Lahu, Lisu, Akha, and Karen.

Symbols

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.[9]

The provincial flower and tree is the "flame of the forest" (Butea monosperma).[9]

The provincial slogan is In the shadow of Mount Doi Suthep, blessed with rice customs and traditions, beautiful wild flowers, magnificent Nakhon Phing.[9]

Administrative divisions and postal codes

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

Climate

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 in May 2005.[11]

Transportation

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

Tourism

Doi Inthanon National Park
Mae Ya Waterfall
The stairs leading up to Wat Prathat Doi Suthep

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. Unlike most of Thailand, in some months the climate in the north and Chiang Mai is cool, fresh, and misty.

Local products

Woodcarving
Umbrellas

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.[13]

Chiang Mai products include:

Local culture

The roads of Chiang Mai are full of vehicles during the water splashing festival of Songkran

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.

Hilltribes

Akha the largest population of any hilltribe in the region. Originating from Tibet and Southern China, they dwell on high ground around 1,200 meters 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.

Local Food

Khao soi
  • 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.

Sports

There are two main sport stadia in Chiang Mai and its environs: 700 Year Stadium and Province Stadium. 700 Years 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.

Sister cities

The province is twinned with eight cities.[14]

References

  1. "Doi Inthanon National Park". Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT). Retrieved 21 Mar 2015.
  2. "Doi Suthep-Pui National Park". Department of National Parks (DNP) Thailand. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  3. "Ob Luang National Park". Department of National Parks (DNP) Thailand. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  4. "Si Lanna National Park". Department of National Parks (DNP) Thailand. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  5. "Huai Nam Dang National Park". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Retrieved 21 Mar 2015.
  6. "Mae Wang National Park". Department of National Parks (DNP) Thailand. Archived from the original on 12 February 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  7. "Pha Daeng National Park". Department of National Parks (DNP) Thailand. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  8. "Chiang Mai". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Retrieved 21 Mar 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 "Geography". Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization.
  10. The code 25 was assigned to a planned district Wiang Kham, which however wasn't created.
  11. "Daily Climate Weather Data Statistics". Geodata.us. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  12. "Chiang Mai International Airport". Airports of Thailand Public Co., Ltd. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  13. "Shopping Chiang Mai". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  14. http://www.chiangmai.go.th/meet_file/sarupCM2556.pdf
  15. http://www.chiangmai.go.th/meet_file/sarupCM2557.pdf
  16. http://prachatai.com/journal/2014/10/55916
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