Northern Thailand Trip. Day 1-2: Kuala Lumpur

After about a month from the last trip to Uzbekistan, we visited yet another fascinating destination, Chiang Mai. Situated north of Thailand, the location is the fourth city we've been to.

We flew to Chiang Mai in the afternoon with an uneventful journey, once we entered the province. It was the worst air turbulence we had experienced. To worsen it, our flight was not allowed to touch down and had to make a circular cruise for at least 15 minutes. Nevertheless, the flight managed to land safely 10 minutes early from the scheduled time.

It was 10 past three; we were approached by Mr. Mouthien and offered a ride to the city center for 200 baht, a normal price. He also offered a car rental service for 1500 baht per day, and after bargaining, he agreed to provide a free airport transfer on the final day.

We arrived at Chiangmai Grandview Hotel & Convention Center, about 10 km from the airport. The hotel was also the venue for the IEECon 2020 event, which I presented on the first day.

Once we stepped into the main lobby, there was a registration counter for IEECon and a lady wearing a familiar uniform. She is a nurse! Before we proceeded with the event registration and hotel check-in. There was a nurse who took everyone's body temperature! Well, it was in the news that Covid-19 has been spreading all across the world.

Thank God that everything went well. Throughout our stay, there will be hotel personnel at the main entrance that will check our body temperature whenever we are going out and return to the hotel. Hand sanitizer was also available at all common areas.

Situated in the lower-lying part of the Himalayan Mountains, the historic wall of Chiang Mai fortified the city of the Lanna Kingdom in the early 12th century. Much of the attraction is located inside the city wall that is surrounded by a moat. The restoration of the wall itself drew criticism from purists who questioned its originality, citing it as a mere work of imagination. Did anyone take pictures during the old days??

The Grab taxi dropped us by the roadside in front of the Tha Phae Gate, the eastern portal to the city wall. It was still early in the evening, and from what I read on the net, that dazzling night bazaar closest to the gate sells portraits and works of local artisans, but it has yet to open.

I'm taking picture of you, at Tha Phae Gate.

Let's feed the pigeons!

It was originally known as Chiang Ruak Gate

We walked towards the inner city wall, passing by restaurants, small-scale hotels, cafes, and the like. I would like to recommend you to get a stay within the city wall. After around 20 minutes, we visited the Lanna Forklift Museum. It is an interesting museum full of exhibitions about the lives, history, and culture of the Lanna people of northern Thailand. The entrance fee was THB 90 and THB 45 for adults and kids, respectively, but we bought 3-in-1 museum passes, including the visit to the Three Kings Monument and the Chiang Mai Historical Center for THB 180 and THB 80.

I walked along Rachadamnoen Street.

A lovely boutique resort

We haven't yet ridden a tuk-tuk...

Jom masuk muzium...!

A white colonial-style building

The majority of Lanna people are Buddhist

One of the exhibitions about the lives, history and culture of the Lanna people

Zoom in to the Lanna manuscript

Lanna's embroidery piece

The Lanna Kingdom's court

Opposite the Lanna Folklore Museum is located the Three Kings Monument, in memory of the alliance of three northern Thai-Lao kings who made a great contribution to the founding of Chiang Mai.

An alliance was forged between Phaya Ngam Meuang of Phayao, Phaya Mengrai of Chiang Mai and Phaya Khun Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai

Nice wooden crafting

Akak nak berapa ela kain nie?

Lawan kumbang

March is considered the 6th month in the lunar calendar

Demonstration on paddy cropping activity

Behind the Three Kings Monument is situated the Chiang Mai Historic Center. We were intrigued with the archaeological sites in this compound, the ancient walls.

The territory of Lanna Kingdom

Zoom in to the city wall

The new structure of Nawarat Bridge crossing the Ping river

The new bridge was an Italian engineer inspired, by the name of Count Roberti

Pictures taken during the old days

Two archaeological sites located behind the historical center

The ancient wall that surrounding the Phra Kaew Temple

The original excavation sites

We strolled along the Jhaban Road to reach the Wat Chedi Luang in about 15 minutes. Thailand, Chiang Mai specifically, has a lot of—I mean, really a lot of—temples. Doi Suthep is the most popular, as it is located high in the mountain. We had to skip that, as my wife was not in good shape due to a recent tragic case ;-(. I don't want to elaborate on that.

Instead, we walked to Wat Chedi Luang, another prominent temple that one should visit. Built in the 14th century by King Saen Muang Ma, it was planned to bury the ashes of his father, but later it was left unfinished.

Donation boxes representing the lunar years

Vihara of the Cruciform Temple

The upper structure collapsed after an earthquake in 1545

Elephants is the symbolic link to Thailand

Vihara of Luang Pu Mun

Stopped for drinks at Araksa Cafe.

A simple and nice cafe

Before dusk, we took a tuk-tuk to the Anursan night market. There was a small Muslim community near the night market. We stopped at the Masjid Hidayatul Islam Banhaw and later had dinner at one of the nearby halal restaurants.