Mr. Yut Wanichanond (3rd from right), Advisor of Earth Wind and Fire Co., Ltd. in cooperation with TAT along with Mr. Spain Jingkaojai (2nd from right), Director of The Prince Royal’s College held a press conference to thank the press at the M Room, Dusit D2, Chiang Mai for their enthusiastic support of the recently-ended 5th International Balloon Festival that was proven a success in both Thai and foreign press’ eyes. The next international event they will organize is the upcoming ‘Chiang Mai Fest 2012’, a great moment of music, art and culture with mixed performances from both Thai and foreign artists in only one event.

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Former Speaker of the House Yongyuth Tiyapairat paid a visit to the Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium where he toured the underwater tunnel and visited the various exhibitions at the Aquarium. He was welcomed by management and staff at the Zoo Aquarium.

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Zonta International Chiang Mai members led by President Jiamjit Boonsom recently welcomed Thanpuying (Dame) Poonsap Noppawong na Ayudhya and Khunying Rose Boribalburibhand during their three day visit to Chiang Mai. Thanpuying Poonsap celebrated her 100th birthday and she is also the founder of the Thailand Chapter of the Zonta movement over 40 years ago. Also in the Photo : Charter President Somboon Surprasert, Secretary Margaret Bhadungzong and Treasurer Lin Nahathai.

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Rimping Supermarket held a wine tasting evening recently at the Ping Nakara Hotel for membership holders. The annual event is a good time to stock up on wine for the holidays as many people did. Here Jo and Dow (center) are joined by friends and fellow wine lovers.

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Raya Luelai hosted an orange and white themed birthday party at Sahara Restaurant recently. The group of friends joined in to sing Happy Birthday to Raya as she and her son blew out the candles on the cake.

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Marco of Chez Marco Restaurant on Loi Kroh Road joins his guests Scott, Jon, Lili, Shana and Randi for a night before Christmas Dinner. Chez Marco has a popular oyster special on Friday nights.

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Thailand’s first female Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra visited her hometown on Friday, December 16 as part of a trip to participate in a seminar on the 17^th. She took the evening off to attend the new Giraffe Restaurant at the Chiang Mai Night Safari. Here CEO of the Night Safari Dr Sarawut Srisakun shows her around while President of the Provincial Administration Organization, Boonlert Buranupakorn follows.

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Nimman Garden grand opening: Kantary Hills Chiang Mai General Manager Magrin Promyothi (left) congratulates Thai actor Puri Hirunyapluek on the grand opening of his beer garden, the Nimman Garden at Kantary Terrace - the lifestyle mall adjacent to Kantary Hills Hotel. Also in the photo is Chiang Mai celebrity Suchada Senasutiphan.

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Legendary Blues guitarist Chai Blues performed at Boy Blues Bar in Kalare Night Bazaar on Friday, December 16, 2011. He performs again on Saturday, December 17 from about 10 PM. The small bar was filled with Blues fans that enjoyed the performance greatly. With him is bar owner and Blues guitarist, Boy Blues.

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The Deputy Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources visited the Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium on December 14, with him are the executives and staff from the Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium who joined the Minister as he toured the exhibits including the underwater tunnel.

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Dirk Weeber-Arayatumsopon is seen here with the 30 kilo catfish he and his friends Wichit "Zaft" Thanakunakgun and Wuttipong "Bobby" Kotbuntao caught at Bor Sang Fishing Park recently. Dirk reports that the fishing park stocks large fish and they have also caught 25kg fish along with other smaller fish. The catch and release Bor Sang Fishing Park is open daily from 9 am until 10 pm. 100 Baht per person, bait is readily available and equipment is available for rent.

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Rita O’Hara celebrated her birthday with friends at Chez Marco on Saturday, December 10, 2011.

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Kantary Hills Hotel Chiang Mai General Manager Magrin Promyothi (right), congratulates Bangkok Airways Chiang Mai Station Manager Thanakrit Reunggan (middle), on the airline’s newly-opened Lounge at the Chiang Mai International Airport.

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Big C Supercenter PCL, led by Mr. Yves Braibant, President and CEO, along with the Big C Foundation presented warm clothes donated for villagers to the Abbot of Wat Thaton recently. The Big C Foundation was established by Big C Supercenter in 2002 to help disadvantaged students.

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The weekly edition of Jazzamatazz featured popular Reggae-Jazz fusion band Civilization at the Playhouse Entertainment Complex. Jazzamatazz features local talent every Saturday night. The next show will be on Saturday, December 10. (Photo by Martin Vanderklooster)

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Chiang Mai Creative City committee announced the upcoming Innovative Design Awards (IDO 2012) at the NAP Fair on December 8, 2011. Attending the event were visiting artist, Jennifer, Gung of Nomex, Martin and Tul, both of CMCC. Submissions must be received by January 31, 201. Details can be found at www.creativechiangmai.com. All artists and designers are encouraged to submit. The awards will be given out in March, 2012.

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Asweigh Fens of the United Kingdom was the lucky winner at the Chiang Mai Night Safari recently. As part of the year long giveaway on Friday and Saturday night, one lucky winner is chose to receive a gold necklace weighing half a Baht, valued at around 12,000 Baht.

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Mr. George Baird, General Manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai and Mr. Choi, Kwang Myung, executive vice president of Amway Korea recently donated 100 beds to the Yardfon Vocational Rehabilitation Training Centre for the Disabled, Wai Thong Nursery Home and Sanmahaphon Centre.

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Zonta International Chiang Mai presented Baht 35,000 to Red Cross Station Three for the Relief in Communities Bureau for flood victims in Thailand. The donation was from the proceeds of the "Shall We Dance" fundraising evening held in November 2011. President Jiamjit Boonsom is presenting the donation to Patcharee Chuaweerakul along with the "Shall We Dance" chairperson Margaret Bhadungzong.

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Sarah Morgan, a PTIS parent, (left) hosted a delicious and festive luncheon at her home to raise funds for the Hand to Paw temple outreach program. By the end of the afternoon 16,000 baht was raised. From left; Sarah Morgan, Joy Huss, and Joanne Robinson.

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Miss Belgium and contestants visited the Chiang Mai Night Safari on November 22, where they were greeted by CEO Dr. Sarawut Srisakune after visiting the Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand Tourism Forum. The ladies enjoyed the new Giraffe Restaurant and the attractions at the Night Safari.

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The Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Chiang Mai Rajabhat Univeristy, the Faculty of Engineering at Chiang Mai University and Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna donated supplies to victims of the flooding in Central Thailand in November, the Kawila Army Camp helped to deliver the goods to Pathum Thani.

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