
The U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai joined Doi Pui village and
Suthep Tambon Municipality for the village’s “Big Cleaning Day.”
U.S. Consul General Susan Stevenson and 30 members of the Consulate
community worked alongside approximately one hundred Doi Pui
residents, joined by 30 Suthep Thambon Municipality staff and Payap
University students to pick up litter in the village and surrounding
forest and organize it for reuse and recycling.
The U.S. Consulate’s participation in the Doi Pui “Big Cleaning Day”
helps mark the April 22 Earth Day and the United Nations’ 2011
“International Year of Forests.” The Chiang Mai Municipality
supported the Consulate’s Earth Day activity by donating a toxic
waste bin to Doi Pui Village. Additionally, Pepsi-Cola (Thai)
Trading and Frito-Lay plant in Lamphun provided financial support on
Earth Day T-shirts.

Nicolas Collinet, Matthieu Normand and Jonas Dept
joined in the fun at Sangdee Gallery last week in an
impromptu 6 hands performance. Photo by Martin Vanderklooster

Robinson Chiang Mai joined the nation in
celebrating a traditional Songkran, Thai New Year with a Rod Nam Dam
Hua ceremony for Chiang Mai Governor ML Panadda Diskul. On April 15,
Suriya Tancharoen, General Manger of Robinson Chiang Mai led
the Robinson staff in a beautifully decorated Traditional Lanna
parade and then they paid respects to the Governor and his wife. The
parade included the Miss Songkran dancing with offerings as a
tribute to the governor of Chiang Mai. This Rod Nam Dam Hua ceremony
is held annually.

Welcoming visitors to Chiang Mai’s Thai
Traditional New Year festival during April 10-12, Orachorn
Chanwiwattana , 4th from left, Acting Region 5 Director and General
Manager of Central Airport Plaza shopping center, Chiang Mai,
Pornthep Arthakitchpaisal, Manager of Sales Promotion department,
and Nok Air staff presented the first 10,000 coupons for free
Kao Soy noodles as souvenirs to tourists and visitors who were on
board the arriving Nok Air flight at Chiang Mai International
Airport.

Dr. Chao Duangduen na Chiengmai, center, chairperson of the Chiang
Mai Provincial Cultural Council graciously presented a gold necklace
to Phetcharee Kaekkueng, a visitor from Chaiyaphum province, who was
one of the 22 lucky draws so far, and who paid for products and
service for 250 bath up at the Chiang Mai Night Safari. This
year, the lucky draw from raffle tickets held every Friday and
Saturday.
Picture here, Naruemol Plawat, Chiang Mai Deputy Governor is seen
drawing the winning raffle ticket while Dr. Sarawuth Srisakun, CEO
of the Chiang Mai Night Safari, watched. The lucky draw took
place on April 16, on the occasion of the night zoo’s 5th
anniversary.

Paul Fihn and Mrinalini Rai attend a charity fund
raiser at the Tamarind Village. The evening featured live
music and cocktails as well as a silent auction.

Mae Hong Son residents attended the “Rod Nam Dam
Hua” ceremony for the Deputy Minister of the Interior. The
provincial authorities, Kamnan and village headmen in Mae Hong Son
hosted the ceremony for Thavorn Senniem, the Deputy Minister of
Interior on April 17 at the Hongson Sueksa School, where about 200
people also participated in the traditional blessing and forgiving
ceremony.

Chiang Mai Governor ML Panadda Diskul and Dr. Ken
Santitham, permanent secretary of state for the Chiang Mai
Municipality attended the Opening ceremony for water slot machine
services to help support the Songkran water festival. The water slot
machines were set up at 20 points throughout the city and the water
was supplied by the Chiang Mai Water Works from April 8 -15, 2011.