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New U.S. Consul General makes friends at the Friends Anniversary Party
New U.S. Consul General
Kenneth L. Foster joined Boong Chaladlam (left) Colin Jarvis (2nd right)
and Shana Kongmun at the 4th anniversary party of the Chiang Mai
Friends.
By Shana Kongmun
The Chiang Mai Friends held their 4th
anniversary party on Saturday, January 21, 2012 and JJ Market where the
new Indian Consul Dhirendra Singh Garbyal and U.S. Consul General
Kenneth L. Foster had a chance to meet many local expat and Thai
residents.
Irish Representative, Chiang Mai
Goodwill Ambassador and owner of Eagle Guest House Annette Kunigagon and
Patinya “Joon” Srisuk of Horeca shared the spotlight when they were
awarded Citizen of the Year awards by the Chiang Mai Friends. Deputy
Governor Rittipong Techapun handed out the awards on behalf of the
Friends Group.
Irish
Representative and Chiang Mai Goodwill Ambassador Annette Kunigagon
accepted her award as Friends Citizen of the Year from Deputy Governor
Rittipong Techapun.
The giant cake, made by The Steak
House, was cut by the Deputy Governor after everyone sang Happy
Birthday.
The crowd was kept entertained by
Tony Putrino of Yummy Pizza and Nicky Scott whose new place The Orchard
just opened in Mae Rim on the road leading to the X-Centre. Then the
Aussie John Experience took to the stage to get the crowd dancing,
including Consul General Ken Foster who said he had a great time at the
evening.
Aussie John then called Boong,
President of the Chiang Mai Friends and Ruchuchai Potha, Head of the
Work Permit Office at the Labor Department up to the stage for a bit of
impromptu singing. Khun Ruchuchai joined John in several songs, before
heading back down to join the crowd in conversation.
Sponsors of the fun night included
the Spa Resort, Bangkok Bank, Flight of the Gibbons, JJ Market, the
Crown of Lanna and many others.
Nicky
Scott of the Orchard joined Aussie John on stage for some good old
fashioned rock and roll.
Joon
Srisuk arrived late to accept her award as Friends Citizen of the Year
from Deputy Governor Rittipong Techapun.
Deputy
Governor Rittipong Techapun (2nd right) and British Honorary Consul Ben
Svasti Thomson (2nd left) were guests of honor at the party here with
Boong Chaladlam and Shana Kongmun.
Colin
Jarvis and Indian Consul Dhirendra Singh Garbyal chat at the start of
the party
Frans
Bloehm entertained the crowd with his delightful cabaret singing, here
he is calling everyone to join in singing Happy Birthday before the cake
is cut.
Aussie
John and Khun Ruchuchai Potha of the Work Permit Office join together in
song on stage.
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Chinatown festival in Chiang Mai
The Year of the Dragon
was ushered in with dragon dancers leading the parade from Tha Pae Gate.
By Nopniwat Krailerg
Chinese New Year opened at Waroros
Market on January 23 with Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai Rittipong
Techapun, President of the Provincial
Administration Organization Boonlert Buranupakorn, Chinese Consul
General Dr. Zhu Wei Min and Chiang Mai Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn,
Director of TAT Chiang Mai office Chalermsak Suranant and Chinese-Thai
Associations in Chiang Mai presiding over the 10th
Annual Chiang Mai Chinatown
Festival.
President of the PAO Boonlert Buranupakorn, Chinese Consul General Dr.
Zhu Wei Min, Chiang Mai Mayor Tussanai Buranupakorn are joined by Deputy
Mayors, Academics and Business leaders at the start of the parade.
Chinese
Consul General Dr. Zhu Wei Min said: "On behalf of the Chinese
people I offer my thanks to the City to hold this event every year for
the past ten years. The Thai and Chinese share a link to each other as
relatives and brothers. In such an event, it's a great opportunity to
get to know people from both cultures and exchange between the two great
cultural traditions during this auspicious Chinese holiday.”
Pretty
girls in Chinese costume carried the banners for the parade.
Deputy Governor Rittipong said: "It
is well known that Chiang Mai is close with Thai-Chinese people. There
are a large number of businesses and residents. Trok Lao Chow Lane off
Chang Moi Road is well known as a district for business and tourism. The
Festival of China Town of Chiang Mai helps to promote the business
district of the Thai ethnic Chinese and to preserve cultural traditions
and beauty of Chinese people for past generations and those to come.”
Chiang Mai Mayor Tussanai said:
"These activities were organized by the Chinese Government, the
Municipality and Chinese business organizations to celebrate Chinese New
Year. "Chinatown, the city"from January 23-24, 2012 to encourage the
Thai people to enjoy and learn about Chinese New Year with the Chinese
government. It also promotes cultural traditions so that Chinese and
Thai people can show their solidarity. The event gives tourists the
opportunity to learn about local arts and culture and the traditions of
the Chinese Thai people.”
President of Chiang Mai PAO
Boonlert noted, "I am absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to
see the people of China unite together with Thai people for the 10th
year in a row. The city's Chinatown today is very large and impressive
and shows off the achievements of the city. Unity and solidarity among
all people in Chiang Mai shows the success of the event.”
The Chinese New Year festivities
offered children’s beauty contests, musical performances, dance and food
as Waroros Market was closed off and turned into a walking street for
the two day event. (Photos by Nopniwat Krailerg and Shana Kongmun)
Chinese
figures were also part of the parade.
Lion
dancers were a part of the parade and would stop at houses and
businesses to be given money to bring prosperity to the New Year.
This
family got into the spirit of Chinese New Year by wearing red, the color
red is believed to be bright and vibrant enough to scare away the evil
spirits and the beast named Nian who would come out on New Year to prey
on villagers.
Waroros
turned into a Walking Street Market with food and goods for sale.
One of
the large Lion Dancers to take part in the festivities.
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Woofstock 2012!
Kids and dogs make a happy
combination at the Woofstock Festival.
By Shana Kongmun
Local dog lovers joined in for Care
For Dogs First Annual Woofstock Festival in Mae Rim on Saturday, June
21, 2012 at the Happy Gambol’s dog training and boarding facility.
Everyone took part in fun and
games, including drawing, sculpture of your favorite pet, agility shows
by the dogs and, of course, cute dogs looking for forever homes. Happy
Gambol owners Patrick and Nok gave dog behavioral training classes
alongside the agility shows, as well as dog walking sessions,
competitions, a dog bathing station, homemade doggie treats, local pet
food and supplies and Care for Dog’s very own veterinarian offering
health advice, vaccinations and heartworm prevention
Clowns
kept the crowd entertained and visited the dogs, not sure what the dogs
thought of this clown’s hair though!
The event was a great success with
children, adults and pets coming together to enjoy a lovely sunny Chiang
Mai day. The proceeds from the charity fundraising event go to Care For
Dogs efforts to sterilize, treat, vaccinate and rehome ill and stray
dogs in Chiang Mai, making the city a happier place for everyone; people
and dogs.
For more information about Care for
Dogs or how to help please visit www.carefordogs.org or the Care for
Dogs Facebook page. Call 084-752-5255 (English) or 086-913-8701 (Thai).
(Photos courtesy of Care for Dogs)
Care for
Dogs volunteers helped out during the event.
Puppies
were up for adoption and it looks like this one may have found a forever
friend.
Kids
enjoyed facepainting and balloon animals at the festival.
Happy
Gambol owners put on dog agility shows, the dogs certainly enjoyed it as
did the people!
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Balloon Fiesta 2012 takes to the San Sai skies
Beautiful hot air
balloons of fantastical shapes are the unique feature of the Balloon
Fiesta.
The President of the Provincial Administrative
Organization Boonlert Buranupakorn joined Chiang Mai Governor ML Panadda
Diskul and TAT head Chalermsak Suranant in opening the newest hot air
balloon festival to take flight in Chiang Mai. This balloon festival
features balloons with unusual shapes, such as an ice cream cone
(Belgium) and a birthday cake (USA). There are 26 balloons taking part
in the event that runs through Sunday, January 22, 2012.
The balloons will go for early
morning rides, you must be there by 6 a.m. in order to take part, and
limit the number of riders. In the evening, the more fantastical
balloons will be lit up in a night glow show at the San Sai Luang
Municipal Field. There are concerts, food and shows as well as the
lovely balloons filling the night skies.
The Chiang Mai Balloon Fiesta is
easily found by taking the 118 Doi Saket road to the 1001 San Sai
turnoff and following it until you come to the field on the right hand
side. The last day is Sunday, January 22, so be sure to get up early if
you want to go ride in a balloon!
Governor ML Panadda Diskul, President of the PAO Boonlert Buranupakorn
and TAT head Chalermsak Suranant join the pilot of the U.S. birthday
cake shaped balloon for the opening of the Balloon Fiesta.
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TEDx Tha Pae Gate’s inaugural Chiang Mai event
Speakers and organizers
joined for a group photo at the pre-event party on January 20, 2012.
The popular series of TEDx talks has come to Chiang
Mai for a second time, last year the talks were titled TEDx Doi Suthep,
this year with new organizers and a different theme, the TEDx Tha Pae
Gate talks are being held at CMU on January 21, 2012 from 11 a.m. to
5:20 p.m.
For those without tickets but who
still wish to listen to the series of talks, Sangdee Gallery on
Sirimangkalajarn Soi 5 is live streaming the talks. They will also be
uploaded to Youtube for viewing at a later date.
Speakers include the editor of Post
Today, Pattara Khampitak, Mervyn Levin, Professor Dr. Guenter Faltin,
Sebastian-Justus Schmidt, Alfa Hugelmann, Khun Waewdow and many others.
A full schedule and synopsis of each speaker can be found on the TEDx
Tha Pae Gate website. http://www.tedxthapaegate.com/content.php?con_id=2
The speakers and organizers met for
drinks at the lovely Ping Nakara Hotel on Charoen Prathet Road where the
owner, Dr. Chairat Usavangkul graciously hosted the event.
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Local handicrafts featured at Central Airport Plaza
This gorgeous piece of
handcrafted work dominated the display with its fine craftwork and size.
The first event featured handmade silver jewelry and
pieces of art with several silversmiths on hand practicing their art for
the guests. Chiang Mai Deputy Governor Chuchart Keelapaeng was on hand
to join Anuwat Phuwatsi from Lamphun for the opening of the event which
had huge sculptured pieces and gorgeous intricate silver jewelry for
sale.
Silver jewelry will be featured
until January 8, 2012 and then on Monday, January 9 traditional
woodcarving will be shown at the 2nd Floor Northern Village.
Woodcarving craftsmen will also be on hand to offer a display of their
work.
Local
artisans displayed their skills.
This
intricately beautiful necklace was not just on display but also for
sale.
Deputy
Governor Chuchart Keelapaeng (5th right) is joined by Anuwat Phuwatsi
(6th right) and Orachorn Chantarawiwattana, General Manager of Central
Airport Plaza (2nd right) for the opening on December 5, 2012.
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6 Hands 1 Piano concert returns to Chiang Mai
(from left) Jonas Dept,
Nicolas Collinet and Matthieu Normand play 6 hands on one piano.
By Shana Kongmun
Last year I had the great privilege
and joy to hear three talented young men perform at Sangdee Art Gallery.
This year, to the privilege of even more, these young men have returned
to Chiang Mai to perform for a larger audience at the Chiang Mai
University Art Center auditorium last evening and again tonight at the
Rachamankha Hotel. For those who missed last night’s engaging and
entertaining performance, you still have a chance to see them perform
tonight.
Performing solo, in pairs and with
all three men playing the piano at the same time, Nicolas Collinet,
Matthieu Normand and well known local Jonas Dept, showed their passion
and love for music in every piece. A lighthearted show, the music and
their joy in performing spoke for themselves and left everyone grateful
that Chiang Mai is able to attract such performances.
There are high hopes and much
encouragement for them to make this concert a regular event in Chiang
Mai and the sold out performance at CMU Art Center offers hope that they
will return. The amazing skill, joy and friendship that shines through
each piece that they perform makes this a show worth seeing, again and
again.
Petchnoi Osathaphan and Supreeda Wongsansee help out by taking tickets
at the door.
Concertgoers include Olivier Faucherent, Soho owners Krathai and Shauna,
James Barnes of Out in Thailand, and Singaporean artist LiLi Tan.
Event
organizer Marisa Marchitelli also provided the unique and beautiful
black and white photos that set the backdrop for the concert.
Former
Miss Thailand Areeya “Pop” Chumsai acted as emcee for the evening.
Organizers Donjai Srivichainanda and Marisa Marchitelli joined their
Emcee Areeya Chumsai and performers Nicolas Collinet, Matthieu Normand
and Jonas Dept to offer flowers after their stellar performance.
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Care for Dogs Woofstock festival
A colorful get-together event for adults, children, puppies and dogs alike!
Pet owners and dog lovers are welcome to attend Care for
Dogs’ inaugural Woofstock Festival 2012 on January 21, 2012. Woofstock is a
celebration and fundraising event bringing Chiang Mai area people, children and
pets together at a beautiful, doggie-friendly location for a real family event,
with something for everyone to do.
Woofstock will be held on Saturday,
Jan. 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Happy Gambol’s dog training and
boarding facility located in Mae Rim on the road to the PTIS
International School. Admission is free.
Care for Dogs has announced that
several community businesses are donating a wide range of prizes for two
Lucky Draws to be held during the event to help raise funds for the
Foundation. Music, games, a kids’ handicraft and art center all with a
doggie flair, a story-teller, magician Nick Wiszynski performing his
magic and singer Ana Gracey entertaining us during the lunch hour are
among the featured attractions.
The event will also feature dog
agility and behavioral and puppy training demonstrations by Happy Gambol
owners Patrick and Nok presented throughout the day, as well as dog
walking sessions, competitions, a dog bathing station, homemade doggie
treats, local pet food and supplies and Care for Dog’s very own
veterinarian offering health advice, vaccinations and heartworm
prevention. And what is a Care for Dogs event without their famous
puppies! Vaccinated, healthy bundles of fluff will be on display for
families looking for that new addition – so come prepared to have your
heart melt!
Healthy and yummy vegetarian food
options prepared by “A Taste of Heaven” Restaurant, PTIS’s Young Farmers
and other local vendors, homemade lemonade, soft drinks, and beer and
wine will be on sale throughout the event. Gourmet ice cream, coffees
and cakes from “Icedea” and “Butter is better” are available for those
looking for the sweeter things in life.
Rest assured that all proceeds
generated from Woofstock activities, raffle sales, T-shirt sales, and
other resale items will go to the Care for Dogs rescue shelter. Plus,
two Chiang Mai International Schools working to help the temple dogs in
their communities, PTIS Hand to Paw Temple Outreach and NIS Care for
Dogs Temple Aid, will have activities and items for sale to help
generate funds for their programs.
Woofstock is sponsored by the many
dedicated volunteers from the Care for Dogs Foundation, The Happy Gambol
and members of Chiang Mai’s U.S. Consulate community.
The Care for Dogs Foundation is a
non-profit organization and our community’s leading rescue shelter
working diligently 365 days a year to sterilize, vaccinate, treat and
care for Chiang Mai’s injured, neglected and ill street and temple dogs.
As a resident or visitor to Chiang Mai, you may not be a dog lover or
pet owner, but surely recognize the necessity of the effort being done
to make our community a better place for both humans and animals. Please
come support us –for together we can make a difference!
For more information about
Woofstock, please visit Care for Dogs at www.carefordogs. 084-752-5255
(English) or 086-913-8701 (Thai). A map to The Happy Gambol can be found
at
http://www.thehappygamboldogs.com.
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Action packed Hmong cart racing day
The action was fast and dusty at
the cart drivers came down the ramp and onto the track in their homemade carts.
The Hmong villagers of Puak Toey spent the 28th of
December dressed in their finery for an epic day of cart racing. The entire
village gathered to watch the day of downhill cart racing. Down a platform, but
down nonetheless. Many of the cart builders went to lengths to ensure their
victory with sturdy builds and heavy duty tires while others went the more
cosmetic route and adorned their carts with speedometers.
Of course, food and laughter was an
integral part of the day, but it didn’t see any lessening in the competition or
the enjoyment of the children who perhaps dreamed of building their own carts
and taking part in the races.
Beginning at 8 a.m. the cart racing
continues through the day, slowing down in the afternoon. Puak Toey is reached
by traveling Highway 1096, but parking is difficult and the village a long hike
from the highway, best to take a motorbike according to photographer Ron Lister.
Photos and report courtesy of Ron Lister.
Rapt attention
was paid by all both young
and old.
Ready for action
at the top of the ramp.
The closer to
the action the better for this little boy.
Hmong villagers
dressed up in their finest clothes for the cart racing.
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Forest party turns magic
Chiang Mai favorites from the North
Gate Jazz Co-op joined with international DJs in entertaining the partygoers.
Club Martini’s last party was held in an appropriately scary
abandoned building on Halloween, this time, they took it to the forest for a
magical party out of town at 909 Gardens. The party, also held as a benefit to
raise funds for flood victims, saw Dirk Weeber-Araytumsopon make the winning bid
for the helicopter ride to the site of the party.
A huge hot air balloon offered tethered
rides for a reasonable 300 baht per person with proceeds going to flood victims,
and Bacardi bars were set up around the area along with catered food. There were
horse and carriage rides into the party, along with fire and magic shows and
many of the partygoers dressed in costumes suited to a magic forest.
International DJ’s were joined by Chiang
Mai favorite North Gate co-owner and saxophonist Pharadon 'Por' Phonamnuai and a
friend who kept the music going. Dancing lasted until hours of the night while
partygoers could relax in unique tents reminiscent of the onion domes of Moscow.
Dirk
Weeber-Arayatumsopon hosted friends on the helicopter ride that he won with a
bid of 41,000 Baht. (Photo courtesy of CityNow!)
Partygoers dressed
up in festive Magical costumes.
The Bacardi hot air
balloon offered rides for charity.
This happy crowd
won a two nights stay in a Phi Phi hotel for two.
Party organizers
Alessandra Maderni (center), Jay Slangen and James Nopparat are joined by Jay
Spinnaker (left) and Petchnoi Osathaphan (second left).
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Classic cars meet for a New Years quiz
This fabulous classic Mercedes was
just one of many beautiful old cars on display at Nim City.
Members of the Classic Cars of Lanna met up for a New Year’s
Day brunch, Bloody Marys and classic car quiz at Nim City Daily on January 1,
2012. More than a few intrepid souls turned out for the gathering on a quiet
Sunday morning. Funds were raised for the Santisook Dogs Home which shelters
abandoned dogs.
The Quiz was a difficult one this time
around, consisting of blueprints of cars rather than photos and included some
that few had ever heard of. The quiz is being shared with other classic car
clubs to run as well.
Car lovers can normally enjoy the many
beautiful old cars at Nim City Daily on the last Sunday of every month when
members of the Classic Cars of Lanna gather from 10 a.m.
www.classiccarsoflanna.com
Rex Baggaley is
joined by fellow enthusiasts, including Nest leading the Jaguar team.
The row of classic
cars parked out front of Nim City.
All different
makes and models of classic cars can be found at the monthly meeting of Classic
Cars of Lanna.
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