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Chiang Mai blooms in the 38th annual Flower Festival
Suwat Sidthilaw, the Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry Of Tourism and Sports, presided over the opening ceremony for the
38th annual Flower Festival.
Nopniwat Krailerg
The 38th Annual Flower Festival was opened on February 8 at 4 p.m.
by Mr. Suwat Sidthilaw, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Of Tourism
and Sports in front of the Governor’s Official Residence at Nawarat Bridge.
The Permanent Secretary welcomed tourists and visitors to the city and to
enjoy the Flower Festival Parade.
More than 40 districts participated in the parade with floats and
performers. The parade was led by a float carrying the trophy of HRH
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn which led the parade from Nawarat Bridge to
Tha Pae Gate and ont to Suan Buak Haad where the floats stayed on display
through Sunday, February 9, 2014.
Miss Chiang
Mai rode in a classic car at the start of the parade.
While some of the floats turned to Suan
Buak Haad Park others stopped at Tha Pae Gate. There was a light and sound
electric parade as well as fresh flowers decorating all four corners of the
old city and the 5 city gates. The winners of orchid growing competitions,
bonsai and other plants were on display at Buak Haad Park along with plants
and flowers for sale, food and handicrafts while Tha Pae Gate hosted
concerts and the Miss Flower Blooming Contest and Miss International Flower
Blooming Contest. (Photos by Shana Kongmun and Nopniwat Krailerg)
The parade
was led by the float carrying the trophy of HRH Princess Maha Chakri
Sirindhorn.
This
wonderful detail from the Mae Wang float shows a display carved out of fruit
and vegetables.
Floats were
intricately decorated with flower blossoms to create mythical creatures and
many others.
Decorations
of tropical trees made of flowers and fruit were a highlight of the parade.
Floats were
elaborately decorated with beautiful flowers and girls!
Creatures
from the Himmaphan Forest and dancers took part in the parade, keeping the
crowd entertained.
A combined
marching band from 3 different schools led the procession with colorful
costumes and lively music.
This
district had pretty girls riding in samlors.
This winning
Bonsai plant was one of many plants and flowers on display at Suan Buak
Haad.
Chiang Mai’s
hilltribe residents dressed up in their finery to represent their districts.
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Another fabulous charity concert at the Four Seasons
M.L. Usni Pramoj and his quartet raise funds for the Red Cross
The quartet
takes center stage joined by General Manager Titiya Chootoo, Deputy Governor
Charoenrit Sa-nguansat, the and other sponsors and supporters.
By Shana Kongmun
Once again the strains of violin, viola and cello filled the air at the Four
Seasons Resort as the quartet led by H.E. Admiral M.L. Usni Pramoj performed
their magic to raise funds for the Provincial Red Cross of Chiang Mai. Every
year, the Four Seasons Resort graciously hosts this event which features the
stellar performances of Tasana Nagavajara and Siripong Tiptan on the violin,
Kittikhun Sodprasert on the cello and H.E. Admiral M.L. Usni Pramoj on the
viola.
The audience was delighted by their performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s
String Quartet in E minor, Opus 44, No. 2. A piece designed to be performed
by friends in the intimacy of their parlour, which is precisely how the
performance felt as the musicians played the demanding piece.
From left;
Tasana Nagavajira on violin, Siripong Tiptan on violin, H.E. Admiral M.L.
Usni Pramoj on viola and Kittikhun Sodprasert on the cello.
This was followed by a composition of His Excellency titled String Quartet
No. 3 and was the world premiere of H.E. Admiral M.L. Usni Pramoj’s latest
moving work. The music was moving, first forceful then sad and finally
ending upbeat, a relief really since the Larghetto nearly moved many to
tears with its sad strains.
The evening started with a cocktail reception and ended with a dinner for
those guests and visitors who chose to stay, the funds raised from the
concert will be donated to the Chiang Mai Provincial Red Cross, Deputy
Governor Charoenrit Sa-nguansat was on hand with his wife as the Deputy head
of the Red Cross to express their thanks for the generous assistance.
General
Manager of the Four Seasons Resort Mae Rim Titiya Chootoo (2nd right) and
Director of Food & Beverage Jasjit “JJ” Assi welcome the CEO of Minor Hotel
Group and COO of Minor Group Dillip Rajakarier and his lovely wife Chris.
Martin
Venzky – Stalling of the Chiang Mai Creative City Committee and Manfred Ilg,
General Manager of 137 Pillars House joined in the evening to enjoy the
music and help the Provincial Red Cross.
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Payap celebrates 40th anniversary with week-long celebrations
Fancy car parade, light and sound show, and more
Asst. Prof.
Dr. Penpilai Rithakananone, Interim President of Payap University is joined
by Faculty and staff to launch the Road Show in honor of Payap University’s
40th anniversary.
By Chiang Mai Mail reporters
Payap University celebrated its 40th anniversary in style with weeklong
celebrations featuring a fancy car parade, light and sound show, parade and
the awarding of scholarships.
On February 10, 2014, Asst. Prof. Dr. Penpilai Rithakananone, Interim
President of Payap University launched the “Road Show”; a parade of cars
covered with flowers and many other decorations, literally a fancy dress
costume party for cars! Twelve cars joined in the event that started at
Payap University at 10:30 a.m. and drove through the major roads of Chiang
Mai to promote Payap University’s message of peace and harmony in Thailand.
Deputy
Governor Adisorn Kamnerdsiri joins Asst. Prof. Dr. Penpilai Rithakananone,
Interim President of Payap University at the Anniversary celebrations.
Other events throughout the week included a symposium on the first day,
February 7, then a concert the Chiang Mai Symphony and Payap Chorus of
Beethoven’s 9th symphony, a mini-marathon, concluded by the Anniversary
Worship Service in the morning where awards were given for Outstanding
Teacher, Staff, Alumnus and Researcher were given out. The celebrations
concluded with a multi-media show celebrating Payap’s past, present, and
future.
The first of
12 decorated cars leaves Payap for the Road Show.
Asst. Prof.
Dr. Penpilai Rithakananone, Interim President of Payap University joins
performers at the evening show celebrating Payap University’s 40th
anniversary.
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