A floral-filled weekend in Chiang Mai

YES, there were a few people with flowers in their hair but most of the tens of thousands of spectators lining the streets of Chiang Mai last weekend were focused on the millions of colourful flowers that were paraded past them during the annual Chiang Mai Flower Festival.

Now in its 33rd year, the festival provides yet another great reason to visit the northern Thai capital.

Everybody it seems, loves a parade and when the theme is flowers, it's easy to impress. Chiang Mai is best known for its cool weather, ancient history, unique food and its handicrafts.

In the 70s, Chiang Mai became one of the 'must visit' places for free thinking travellers who came to trek through the mountainous north to discover the various and colourful hill tribe communities living here.

Its famous Night Bazaar has always been the place to buy hill tribe products of clothing and jewellery as well as some creatively designed and locally-produced handicrafts. The Night Bazaar remains as strong as it as ever has been and the hippies still come with or without flowers in their hair. However, a new breed of traveller comes here for the city's various lifestyle experiences.

I've always a considered that a society which takes flowers seriously must also be taken seriously. Flowers are found everywhere in Chiang Mai from intricate lotus stems woven into local silks, and jewellery that incorporates flower designs to locally-produced umbrellas ornately painted with flowers. It is little wonder Chiang Mai is known as the "Rose of the North".

Thailand's King and Queen have been instrumental in developing the flower growing industry into a blooming success with millions of Thai orchids being air-flown all around the world annually. There are many communities in the north that are dependent upon growing flowers and the festival pays tribute to their hard efforts.

The extensive planned gardens of Mae Fah Luang Garden on top of Doi Tung to the north of Chiang Rai is one of Asia's best kept gardens and best kept secrets. Extensive gardens around the Phuphing Palace on Doi Suthep just above Chiang Mai also attract many visitors.

While various other activities occurred over the weekend, the highlight of the festival was the grand parade from Narawat Bridge through the streets of central Chiang Mai. Many of the communities and organisations around Chiang Mai entered decorated floats.

All were a kaleidoscope of colour from the thousands of blooms that were used to create well-known Thai images from elephants, parasols, temples and plants.

Hues of green, yellow, pink, purple, red and orange created a wonderful spectacle for the entire crowd lining the street especially those with cameras.

Chiang Mai's cool season is one of the best for growing flowers and the parade coincides with the end of this period. Chiang Mai's cool weather means that flowers are one of the main cash crops in the region and the reason for the parade.

In all, 23 floats were the star attraction of the parade but there were also many marchers, vehicles blaring out their promotional messages and an excellent range of colourful and exuberant marching bands from the local high schools.

There must have been some unofficial pact between these bands as to who could be the loudest dressed, the noisiest performers and also the most theatrical as they all went through their elaborate routines. Band members with the most striking hat, glasses or uniform were the ones most photographed by the crowd, many of whom were also keen to get into the action.

During the weekend, stalls were set upon along Arak Road on the western side of the inner-city moat to provide the other essential ingredients of a successful carnival, food, beverages, souvenirs and stalls. Plant vendors created a mini jungle here with their displays of orchids, potted plants and bonsai arrangements which were all available for sale. Nearby in Buat Hat Park the carnival atmosphere was made livelier with a Ferris wheel, bouncy castle and lots more stalls. One of the most keenly sought items was freshly made strawberry jam, produced from locally-grown berries.

Chiang Mai's Flower Festival set out to rival that of Japan's Sakura Festival and the Rose Bowl Parade in the USA and it is now a leading event on Thailand's long events calendar.

The Ping River (Mae Ping) flows through the city and many hotels and restaurants have located along the riverbanks to capitalise on the views and refreshing breezes. Chiang Mai is the obvious destination to enjoy northern Thai food famous for dishes like khao soi made from egg noodles and served with curry sauce. Chicken or seafood is added as are shredded shallots and lettuce.

One of the city's established riverside restaurants is Good View on the eastern bank of the Ping River. Next door is Riverside Bar and Restaurant located in an old wooden house with commanding views.

Stay in the Chedi; an elegant riverside resort centred around the former colonial residence of the British Consulate.

Flowers are essential component of the handicrafts of Thailand with images of lotus flowers and seedpods and water lilies being crafted into many souvenir items.

Artisans produce handicrafts from silk, silverware and timber. Head to the villages of Bo Sang and San Kampaeng to discover all the bargains in stalls big and small lining the main roads here. Chiang Mai's Night Bazaar is one of Asia's legendary markets. It's laden with bargains from fakes to fantasy.

For more conventional shopping, try Central Airport Plaza anchored by Robinson Department Store and Northern Village with its extensive range of local products including coffee, silk, candles and aromatherapy treatments.

The Brunei Times