Shopping Malls in Chiang Mai

One of the best things about Chiang Mai is that, despite being steeped in culture and history as well as traditional arts, it is Thailand's second-biggest city. While not as densely packed as Bangkok (a plus, not a minus!), it has attracted its share of modern shopping malls, superstores and specialist markets. Though you will be here for cultural immersion and a tour through the temples, botanical gardens and tiger farms, sometimes you just want something with a little more glitz and, not least of all, air-conditioning.

• Central Airport Plaza is currently the most prominent, shiniest shopping mall in Chiang Mai. It is housed in a complex that includes an exhibition hall and huge parking space, offering a range of restaurants and familiar brand names throughout its halls from Starbucks to Pizza Hut, though it is in no shortage of independent and Thai restaurants, clothing stores, and tech vendors. Notable is its unique feature, the Northern Village, which showcases handcrafted goods from local cottage industries in an attractive, well-decorated area spanning several floors. It also has an entire floor dedicated to computers, gadgets, mobile phones and hardware that'll catch the eye of any tech-savvy traveler. On its topmost floor is the city's largest cinema, the Major Cineplex. The Central Airport Plaza sends shuttles to prominent city hotels to pick up guests and will also send you back: their shuttle is a yellow-green songtaew with their logo and usually stops by hourly. The mall itself is located at Mahidol Road, conveniently close to the Chiang Mai International Airport, a golf course, and several restaurants.
• Central Kad Suenkaew is notable for its brick facade, which distinguishes it from other department stores and buildings in Chiang Mai. Its general layout and setup are similar to that of the Central Airport Plaza, but thanks to its latest renovation being over ten years past, it sports considerably more grunge and less glitz than its larger, more modernized cousin. The Kad Suankaew is located on Huay Kaew Road.
• Lotus, also known as Tesco-Lotus, has been a success in Chiang Mai and opened two branches: Hangdong and Kamtiang, along with several smaller "Lotus Express" convenience stores located throughout gas stations in the province. While not overly glamorous, Lotus superstores do offer a great deal of convenience and travel-sized shampoos, facial foams, soaps and toothpaste that are essential to any trip. They function as shopping arcades, and each Tesco-Lotus includes a bookstore, a Black Canyon (a Thai café franchise), and either a Pizza Hut or Pizza Company.
• Rimping Supermarket, a Chiang Mai-only specialty supermarket, started off small and humble but has since grown into a multi-branch corporation that aims at the more upscale end of shoppers. It offers fresh, made-in-house bakery that is surprisingly excellent, produces from the Royal Project, and many imported snacks, cooking ingredients, breakfast cereals and more. At the time of writing, there are three large branches of Rimping and a smaller one; the largest three can be found by the Ping River, next to the Central Airport Plaza, and at the Ruamchoak Market. The Central Airport Plaza and Ruamchoak branches have the bonus of being bundled into a shopping arcade so you can do your dining as well as your shopping in one trip.
• Central Festival Chiang Mai is one of the new projects that will be open for business in 2012. It is being built on a land that covers 46,500 square meters located on the Chiang Mai - Doi Saket super-highway, aiming for the same market as the Central Airport Plaza, but more: larger, more modern, more everything.
• Promenada Chiang Mai, like Central Festival, will be operating in 2012. The difference is that it will include a resort and is a Swiss project, which hopes to attract truly upscale shoppers much like the Siam Paragon in Bangkok, with the prices and selection of stores and merchandise to match. Being further along in development than the Central Festival, it's possible the Promenada will open by the end of 2011 rather than mid-2012.

Meetings, Convention and Conference Venues in Chiang Mai

The Empress Hotel and Convention Center, Chiang Mai, is home to dedicated facilities for meetings, conferences, product launches, weddings and exhibitions. The hotel itself houses one large reception/events hall that can accommodate up to 500 persons and no fewer than five more small function rooms. The Convention Center itself was the first dedicated facility in Chiang Mai and offers three floors of exquisitely designed, culturally rich pillarless spaces that can accommodate any type of event, and with rooms that can be configured to suit any need.


PRODUCT LAUNCHES & EXHIBITIONS

Are you arranging an exhibition with product and demonstration booths? Our extensive floors, lobby and outdoor exhibition area are yours. Product launches where you need a combination of class, function, plus a reception before or afterward? Our highly configurable rooms, each with its own audiovisual gear and flexible stages are just what you are looking for.

WEDDINGS

Your special day deserves to be perfect and we are here to help you make it just that: for over ten years we have hosted countless weddings from couples throughout Thailand and we have maintained consistently high standards such that we remain the premium choice for weddings in Chiang Mai. Our wedding packages include floral decorations, photo studio services, catering, ice sculptures, honeymoon suites for the bride and groom, and many more bundled into attractive packages!

SOCIAL EVENTS

Receptions, cultural fairs and events are some of our many fortes. Our cutting-edge audiovisual equipment (including video conference on high-bandwidth lines), display technology and configurable stages are here to help you realize stunning performances, memorable cocktail parties, and cultural fairs. Our expert technicians are always on-site to assist.

Chiang Mai, Cultural Capital of Thailand

With a history of over 700 years, Chiang Mai has long been considered the cultural hub of northern Thailand. Roughly 435 miles from Bangkok, it is a city that combines scenic vistas of the highest mountains in Thailand, arts and crafts centers, and modernity that have been drawing an increasing number of travelers and long-term visitors: as many as five million tourists come to Chiang Mai annually, thanks to its combination of unique culture and accessibility.

The city offers a vast range of attractions, sightseeing options and adventure tours that appeal to any traveler, whether you are traveling with your spouse, your extended family, or your elderly: in Chiang Mai there are various ancient ruins, public parks and botanic gardens that will readily suit the tastes of travelers looking for a quiet spot, while for adventurers and/or families with children the Chiang Mai Zoo and Aquarium-as well as rafting adventures, caving, tiger farms and elephant camps-provide the perfect diversions. For the shopper there are numerous markets such as the Warorot Market and the Night Bazaar that give you a glimpse into Thai culture and lifestyle, as well as an opportunity to buy unusual souvenirs to take home. The famous Walking Streets, available Saturday and Sunday, fulfill much the same function but offer an even wider range of merchandise usually sold directly by artists, sculptors, silversmiths and weavers. Outside the city itself there are various crafting villages and factories from which high-quality, unique goods can be bought.

Another reason to choose Chiang Mai for your destination in Southeast Asia is that it is one of the cheaper cities in Thailand as well as one of the least expensive in the region while not giving up cleanliness and safety. While a trip to an Asian city of a similar price range will require compromise with your accommodation, hygiene and personal security, in Chiang Mai this is not the case: it is possible to stroll about the city late at night, alone, in most areas without having to fear for your life or your valuables.

The tourist hotspots such as the Night Market and Walking Streets have a remarkably low rate of crime (indeed the city as a whole has a vanishingly small rate of violent crime, at about 0.02% in 2009, especially since obtaining firearms in Thailand is difficult for the average citizen) and travelers rarely need to fear pickpockets. Tourist police are moreover stationed throughout the Sunday Walking Street in case of any (unlikely) emergency. Depending on the location of your hotel or guesthouse, most of these markets can be reached on foot; failing that transport costs do not generally exceed 100 baht (roughly 3.50 USD as of April 2011) but are often much cheaper than this figure. Food, drinks, places to stay and nightlife are similarly priced. If you are looking for an economic option for your Thailand holiday that fits a careful budget while retaining comfort and excellent sightseeing, there are few destinations better than Chiang Mai.

Last but not least, the renowned hospitality of Chiang Mai is easily one of its biggest attractions. As you step into your accommodation you will notice beautiful décor in the style of the Lanna Kingdom that transports you back to the Chiang Mai of centuries past, and you will be greeted by friendly staff in the traditional costumes of the same. Authentic Thai cuisine, both of central Thailand and northern Thailand, can be had at every street corner. Service is prompt and friendly across the board, and the locals are generally helpful and don't mind taking a few minutes out of their time to give you directions.

Given these reasons and more, why not consider including Chiang Mai in your list of places to see before you die? A perfect combination of price, culture, and tropical climate: you would be hard-pressed to find a city more welcoming and tourist-friendly!

Thailand Holiday: What to Pack When Traveling to Thailand

How do you prepare for your Thailand holiday? There are items you will definitely want in your suitcase, if not before boarding your flight then at least after you've checked in at your hotel and found a nice convenience store to buy these things from, especially since not all these items are readily available in an average K-Mart at home. Whether or not you need them all depends on the weather conditions in Thailand at the time (or the region of Thailand you are visiting), but for the most part they are necessary around the year.

• Mosquito repellent: This is absolutely a must! More so if you are traveling during Thailand's summer season, and also one of the many, many reasons that should dissuade you from choosing bottom-of-the-barrel accommodation: no air-conditioning means you will be opening the window just to breathe and then it's open blood-sucking season. Mosquito repellents in forms of lotions are good, but you could consider insect-repellent bands as well, worn either on the ankle or wrist: creams and lotions are liable to be diluted by sweat. And in the tropics, you are going to be sweating a lot!
• Sunblock: Do you happen to come from the United Kingdom? Be warned: in Thailand the sun is going to scorch your skin off and it's all sunny, all the time barring the monsoon season (though even then you will still see more sunlight than you do in an entire British year). Bring sunscreen and apply it generously whenever you want to take a walk around Bangkok or Chiang Mai; else you are going to find yourself limited to evening and very early morning strolls.
• Power adapter: Unless you are from Hong Kong or any other countries which use 220V 50Hz power sockets, you will want a power adapter or two to keep your smartphones, electric shavers, and iPods going. Power sockets in Thailand accept two flat prongs, or two flat prongs with one ground pin. Prepare accordingly. (You can rent one from hotels above a certain price range, but if you're backpacking through guesthouses you should consider bringing your own.)
• Bottles of water: This is something of a no-brainer: when you are on a tour through Chiang Mai or Koh Samui you may find yourself dehydrated, which can have all kinds of side-effects you don't want: dizziness, nausea, and digestive complications. Buy a bottle of water or bring a canteen, and keep drinking.
• Clothes: You will want the lightest wear you have got. Short jeans, sleeveless tops, and similar should be the order of the day. Keep in mind, however, that if you plan to visit Buddhist temples as part of your jaunt through Thailand, you should elect to dress fairly sensibly in keeping with respect for the local faith. So the shorts don't need to be showing your underwear and the tops don't need to let the entire world count your every chest hair one by one. Think going to church, but less stuffy.
• Wheeled bag/suitcase: Bring an empty one, if you can, and keep it with you just for shopping, because chances are good you will be buying a lot of interesting keepsakes, souvenirs and gifts from the Night Market or Walking Street in Chiang Mai and similar arts-and-crafts centers.
• Umbrellas: Not so much for the rain as for the sun. Alternatively, wide-brimmed hats and caps will do just as well to keep your brain from boiling over and streaming out your ears. Just kidding: it's not that hot, but it's warm enough that having something over your head is going to be something you will quickly learn to appreciate (unless you're from Australia or sunny California and already used to it). Sunglasses may be a good idea, as well.
• Footwear: Like the clothes you should pack, this ought to be light as well. Heavy formal shoes and stiletto heels are going to kill your feet in no time and the footpath isn't exactly baby-skin smooth. Light sneakers, sans socks, and slippers are good. Buying disposable flip-flops once you've arrived at your destination is sensible too.
• Deodorant: Unless you honestly smell like Chanel No. 5 while sweating like a pig, you will want deodorant. A lot of it. Oh, and take something for your feet too, because that sweat will stink up more than your armpits.

Thailand Cuisine: 7 Dishes to Try When Visiting Thailand

You will have heard of a few Thai dishes before, maybe eaten a rather bastardized version in so-called “authentic” restaurants at home: pad thai, tom yam kung, Thai green curry, or som tum. You know, the usual mainstream ones you can find anywhere, but usually in a watered-down shadow of itself, tasting nothing like the real thing. When you come to Thailand, you should definitely try them properly cooked, but if you’re visiting anyway why not go off the beaten track a little? After all, there's more to Thai food than those familiar dishes! Try out some of these dishes, which you may have never heard of before, so when you return home you can sniff and turn up your nose at your friends when you’re going to an “authentic” Thai eatery.

Pad kra prao muu/pad kra prao kai: pork and chicken respectively stir-fried with sweet basil, garlic, soy sauce, fish sauce, and Thai chili peppers. This dish is slightly spicy and emphasizes salty taste, and is best eaten with rice; some restaurants serve it with rice and fried egg.

Thot man pla/thot man kung: fish and shrimp cakes respectively. This is made of a paste that consists of minced fish (or minced shrimp), chili paste, cumin, coriander. The paste is then cut into thin slices, usually circular, and deep-fried as opposed to western fish cakes which are battered. It is strongly flavored and can serve as part of the meal or as snack. It may also be served with sweet plum sauce for dipping. Best eaten fresh off the pan and can also be bought from street vendors.

Tom ka gai: a variant on the tom yum (spicy Thai soup), the tom ka gai is a soup with a large helping of coconut milk, mixed with coriander, lime, chili peppers and lemongrass; tender chicken is added to steep in the soup. Suitable either to being eaten on its own or with rice.

Pad khi mao: a noodle dish whose name translates, literally, to “stir-fried drunk.” You can be assured, however, that there’s no human meat in the dish: it is traditionally cooked with seafood, though variants with pork, chicken or beef are just as common. The main ingredient is a wide noodle, which is stir-fried in a mix of seafood (or any meat; vegetarian options also exist, depending on the restaurant), peppers, baby corns, mushrooms, and holy basil. Seasoning includes soy sauce, sugar, and chili powder. The spiciness varies according to recipe, but you can always ask the restaurant to make it to your taste.

Kai yat sai: Thai omelet! But unlike the more familiar western variant, the stuffed Thai omelet is made by frying a beaten egg in a thin spread, putting in the stuffing (usually tomato, bell peppers and minced pork), and folding it into a square.

Pla sam rot: literally “three-flavored fish,” which is to say sweet, sour, and salty. The fish is deep-fried and served with a tamarind sauce whose main ingredients include tamarind paste, garlic, and chilies. The type of fish varies, though usually it is a freshwater fish.

Khai pat met mamaung himmapan: deep-fried chicken cooked with cashew nuts, dried chilies, and soy sauce. Like most Thai dishes (though this one has Chinese origins), best eaten with rice.

All of these dishes and more, cooked to perfection by authentic Thai chefs, can be had at the Thai restaurant at the Empress Chiang Mai hotel!

Learning Thai for Traveling: Useful Phrases for Your Thailand Holiday

You are planning your next vacation, and that vacation is going to be in Thailand. Congratulations on a fantastic choice! But you aren't sure you will be understood by the locals? Well, you can learn the language, of course, but what if you aren't quite up to learning a whole language just for a vacation? Nobody is going to blame you. It's not an easy language - if anything it's quite tricky and much harder to master than English, especially if you don't have any background in Sanskrit and similar languages.

Khun phuut pasa angkrit dai ruu pao - "Do you understand English?"

Not interested in learning any other phrase or words? Then learn at least this one--it will go a long way in facilitating communication! Alternatively, it's a good way to check whether you need to fumble with your phrasebook or if you can just speak English.

Gin kaew chao tee nai  - "Where do I take breakfast?"

Useful to ask the desk clerk at the hotel after checking in, though most hotels have staff who can speak fluent English (if you are staying at cheap guesthouses, however, this may be something of a crapshoot).

Mai pen rai - "Never mind."

The equivalent of "Don't mention it" or "It's fine." Used to accept an apology or telling that you have taken no offense. Good in situations where a flustered waitress has just spilled or dropped something and you want to tell her that you don't mind.

Rakha tau rai - "What is the price of this [item]?"

The thing to ask when shopping anywhere in Thailand. Specifying the type of good is not required.

Khob khun krap/kha - "Thank you."

The "krap" and "kha" are gendered suffixes; the former is used by men to end sentences, the latter by women. It is considered polite to include them, especially when speaking to strangers.

Sawatdee krap/kha - "Hello."

Usually spoken with hands clasped together, head bowed and knees slightly bent, similar to the namaste gesture of Indians.

Rong praya bhan yuu tee nai - "Where is the hospital?"

Not necessarily useful if you are standing right in front of a hospital. :) 

Ha khao gin tang nai - "Where can I find something to eat around here?"

Helpful if you are not sure whether there are restaurants or eateries around where you currently are.

Ja ma mua rai - "When is it coming?"

Depending on the context this can be used by itself or may require an object to specify what you are asking after, but the language is sufficiently flexible that the listener should be able to get the gist of what you are asking (e.g. when is the food I ordered coming).

Rong ram yuu tee nai - "Where is the hotel?"

If you would like to be specific, you will have to add the hotel's name after "rong ram," i.e. "Rong ram the Empress yuu tee nai." Alternatively, if you'd like directions, you could also ask "Rong ram pai taang nai."

Mee arai naa gin bang - "Can you recommend me a dish?"

Can be used both at a restaurant to inquire the waiter or elsewhere to ask for suggestions of what to eat in general, though for the most part this phrase would work best when you're already at the table and perusing the menu.

Sanam bin yuu klai ruu plao - "Is the airport far away?

Pai duen tiew tee nai dee - "Where can I take a sightseeing stroll?"

The question would generally be answered with the name of a street or an outdoor market, though this depends on which part of Thailand you are visiting and whether you are staying in a city.

Mueng nee yai kae nai - "How large is this city?"

Manners and Culture in Thailand: Is Haggling Good Etiquette?

When you google up tips and tricks on visiting Thailand, chances are good that you’ll run into reviews, travel advisories and posts on travelers’ forums that inform you of a crucial aspect in Thai culture: haggling. Horror stories will be told of how many have come home with luggage packed to the brim with baubles for which they paid six times their worth because they were scammed by street vendors in Chiang Mai at the Night Bazaar or in Bangkok at the Floating Market. Problem is: it’s not true. Sure, there are crooks who’ll trick you out of your money, but really haggling—also known as “being a cheapskate”—isn’t necessarily the way to experience Thailand’s culture to its authentic full. Just like anywhere else, nobody likes “that guy.” Have a glance at this primer to pick up a few facts on Thai haggling: when to do it, where to do it, and when doing it is gonna just embarrass everybody—you most of all.

1. Crafting villages, Night Market, Walking Street. This is where the myth that haggling is the thing to do does the most damage. Chiang Mai is a city of creativity and artists: often the merchants you see selling you that stuff is the same folks who made it. No corporations involved, no middleman, there isn’t even an Etsy in the between. Hence the price tags they’ve set are pretty reasonable, because you’re getting it straight from the source. Apart from that, artisans in northern Thailand make quality products and they’re proud of it. What they sell is hand-made, unique, high-quality and well worth the asking price (which isn’t that high to begin with! Again, compare to Etsy). Yep, there’s room for negotiation, but it’s not like they have got mark-ups that go sky-high and they do have to make a living. Don’t you think it’s awful that tourists force their profit margins to a negligible point, i.e. they barely break even? The best source for merchandise direct from artists and makers are the Sunday and Saturday Walking Streets, occasionally at the Night Market. (Crafting villages et al have higher mark-ups as they need to pay tour guides commissions, whereas people selling at the Walking Streets/Night Bazaar don’t have to.)

2. Supermarkets, department stores. "What are you saying?” I can hear you ask. “Who on earth tries to haggle at department stores?” Believe it, some do. There’re tourists who take the whole “haggling is part of the culture” very literally against all odds of common sense. Oh, that’s not you, naturally, but in case someone else is going to visit Thailand, you might want to give them the heads-up that really, don’t bother trying to pull that off at a 7-11 or a Tesco/Lotus even if the cashier’s Thai. Barcode isn’t exactly flexible, you know?

3. Gold and silver. The funny thing about precious metals is, everyone wants some and it’s sort of the thing that keeps world economy going. So when you’re buying jewelry that’s heavy on the gold or silver side, you should know that they go by the weight and the asking price is dependent on the trading rate for the metal itself, plus the price of the precious stone(s) and the craftsmanship. Should the merchant refuse to accede to your unreasonable expectations for discounts, remember they aren’t trying to rip you off. They just want to make sure their profit margin is a bit higher than “zero” or “negative.” Sapphires, emeralds, rubies and the like do give you more room to wriggle, though.

4. Hotels. This is where you can certainly haggle, as long as you pick the right hotel. My advice? Don't try this at hotels that are part of a huge international chain-Le Meridien, Shangri-La and all. They operate much like their counterparts across the globe and you simply don't walk into a five-star expecting bargains unless you are a card-carrying member with marks to redeem or have frequent flyer miles to burn. Independent hotels in Chiang Mai that are attached to no mega-corporations? That’s a different story. What’s more, you will be spoiled for choice, too: three- and four-stars hotels are everywhere in the city, serving with high standards and hospitality you just won't find anywhere else and certainly not at home. Pool your friends together and tell them you're looking to book three or five rooms, or even just one room over many days (say five) and the desk clerk or the reservation officer will almost certainly get you fantastic deals as long as you don't expect anything unreasonable like dancing girls or half price off. Most properties offer long-term rates too, with varying definitions of what constitutes "long-term." (Generally seven to ten days is a safe bet.)

5. Prices, scaling, and currency. Most tourists don't bat an eyelash paying full price for a cup of Starbucks, which in Thailand is enough to buy a good meal for one at a good restaurant. It's probably worth considering what you are about to buy is really worth and how much more you'd get out of it than a cup of Starbucks or a scoop of Hagen-Daz. Many vendors rely on selling their goods to get by, and they certainly can't afford a glass of coffee that costs almost as much as some of their pricier wares. After a certain point, haggling only saves you maybe half a USD while making the vendor's life just that little bit harder, possibly thinning their next meal. You don't have to care, of course, but it's something to think about, right?

As with any other kind of etiquette, common sense is the main guiding force behind the art of haggling in Thailand. Have fun shopping!