Chiang Mai News Clips - Friday 28th August 2009

* Wat Chedi Luang:
Even today some 450 years after being damaged severely in an earthquake, Wat Chedi Luang stills cuts an imposing figure across the Chiang Mai skyline.

This temple is also home to the "Pillar of the City",a totem used in ancient Thai fertility rites, because the temple itself marks the exact center of Chiang Mai.

The tree is inhabited by a guardian spirit known as "Prueksa Thevada", an all knowing sage. The Inthakhin Festival fertility rite lasting for 7 days takes place each year during the months of May or June.

This observance ensured unity within Lanna society gave protection from siege and warfare and made certain that the rains would fall at the proper time so that farmers’ crops would be abundant in the fertile fields. Rumour has it that IF the tree should ever die or be removed, Chiang Mai will suffer a disaster of biblical proportions!!.

* Khao Lam:
Khao Lam is the sticky rice, mixed with coconut milk and grilled in a bamboo trunk. There are different recipes. You can use either black or white sticky rice. Some will also have black beans. The white in this picture is egg custard. This dessert is flavoured with coconut milk & is utterly delicious!.

* Tour Business & Guide Conference:
The Office of Tourism Development in cooperation with Tourist Business and Guide Register Office, Ministry of Tourism and Sports will handle for a conference of 4 regions to clarify the standard of tourist business and guide.

The conference for North region will be taken place at Chiang Mai University on September 4th 2009.Please either visit Their Website or call Tel No. 02-259-8595-7.