As the cool season sets in, golden-yellow Giant Mexican Sunflowers (Tithonia Diversifolia) in full bloom transform the meadows and valleys into a beautiful tapestry that blankets the hilly landscape. It’s a breathtaking spectacle. Enjoy a variety of tribal culture shows and watch a tribal sports competition. End the day with a delicious Northern-style Khan Toke set dinner.

Contact information:
Mae Salong Nai Sub-District Administrative Organisation
Tel: +66 (0) 5373 0322, (0) 5373 0360

December 17 - 23, 2008
16th CHIANG RAI FOOD FESTIVAL
Runway of the Old Airport

During the 16th Chiang Rai Food Festival from 17 – 23 December, over a total of 60 booths will be offering a vast variety of delicious traditional Lanna (Northern Thai) cuisine, ancient Thai sweets prepared by staff and students of the Vocational Education College in Chiang Rai as well as international cuisine, all promoted under the ‘Clean and Tasty Food’ campaign theme.

The food festival also features contests such as a vegetable and fruit-carving contest, a Lanna tradition food-setting contest, cultural and art shows, and concerts by famous artists throughout the seven days of the festival.

Visitors will also be presented with an opportunity to shop for OTOP village and community products from the various sub-districts (tambon) of the eight Northern provinces, promoted under the One Tambon, One Product theme.

Or simply opt for a session of traditional Thai massage to gently ease the tension built up in those weary muscles.

Contact information:
Chiang Rai Restaurant and food Club
Tel: +66 (0) 5371 5673,05371 4519

December 20, 2008 - January 5, 2009 (every year)
WHIRLIGIG NEW YEAR FESTIVAL

These annual New Year celebrations are staged by the Akha tribes in the districts of Mueang Chiang Rai, Chiang Sean, Mae Suai and Mae Fah Luang. Akha families perform religious ceremonies and Akha communities in Chiang Rai stage tribal shows, performances of native music and other tribal activities as part of the local festivities.

Contact information:
Akha associate
Tel: +66 (0) 5371 4250

Doi Tung Development Project
Tel: +66 (0) 5376 7015-7 #265

December 28, 2008 - January 2, 2009 (every year)
TEA, SAKURA, AND TRIBAL OF DOI MAE SALONG BAN SANTI KIRI
In the districts of Mae Salong Nok and Mae Fah Luang

Savour the taste of Doi Mae Salong tea. Admire the scenic landscape with Sakura flowers in bloom set against a mountainous backdrop. Enjoy a tribal culture show and shop for local products at the fair.

Contact information:
Mae Salong Nok Sub-District Administrative Organization
Tel: +66 (0) 5376 5129

December 2008 (every year)
TEA AND FRESH COFFEE-TASTING AND TRIBAL CULTURE PROMOTION
At Wawi Ban Wawi Moo 1 village, Wawi, Mae Suai District

Taste Doi Wawi tea and fresh coffee from Doi Chang. Enjoy a tribal culture show and watch tribal sports competitions.

Contact information:
Wawi Sub-District Administrative Organization
Tel: +66 (0) 5360 5950

Administrative Office Mae Suai District
Tel: +66 (0) 5378 6125

December 27, 2008 - January 5, 2009 (every year)
5TH CHIANG RAI FLOWER FESTIVAL
By Chiang Rai Beach

The highlights of the 5th Chiang Rai Flower Festival include a parade of floral floats, a Miss Thin Thai Ngam Beauty contest, an orchid contest, a flower and ornamental plant contest and an agricultural produce fair.

Contact information:
Chiang Rai Province Administrative Organization
Tel: +66 (0) 5360 1235

January 1-10, 2009
2ND YUNNAN CHINESE FOOD FESTIVAL AND BLOOMING SAKURA
At Doi Phatang
Parking Area of Military base Moo 14, Por, Wiang Kaen District

Have a taste of Yunnan food and enjoy the colourful cultural presentations of tribal life, including the Yunnan, Mong, Yao, Thai Lue tribal shows. Admire the breathtaking scenery of sakura flowers in bloom and winter flowers of Doi Phatang. Visitors will also have an opportunity to shop for local products at the fair. For a change of pace, festival highlights include a mountain-bike competition and a marathon over the Doi Phatang mountain range.

Contact information:
Por Sub-District Administrative Organization
Tel: +66 (0) 5391 8265

January 24-28, 2009 (every year)
BLOOMING FLOWER, SWEET STRAWBERRY AND PRODUCTS
Pong Pha Sub-District Administrative Organization Office

The fair presents an opportunity for visitors to view and shop for a variety of strawberry products and enjoy shows, floral booth decorations and flower contests.

Contact information:
Pong Pha Sub-District Administrative Organization
Tel: +66 (0) 5364 6627, (0) 5364 6085

January 26 - February 4, 2009 (every year)
KING MENGRAI FESTIVAL 2009
At the monument of the King Mengrai

The King Mengrai festival is staged annually to pay homage to the great king.
However there’s a fun-filled aspect to the festival with a local product fair, stage shows and a variety of entertainment to create a festive ambience. Exhibitions organized by state and private sector organizations reflect enthusiastic community participation in staging the event as an expression of gratitude and pride in local traditions.

Contact information:
Chiang Rai Administrative Office
Tel: +66 (0) 5371 1612, 0 5374 4341

February 13-15, 2009 (every year)
BLOOMING SIEW FLOWER FESTIVAL
At Phu Chi Fah, Ban Rom Fah Thai, TabTao, Thoeng District

Phu Chi Fah is a popular destination for wishing to immerse themselves in Nature’s embrace. Noted for its ‘sea of mist’ that blankets the mountain peaks, nature-lover converge to enjoy the spectacular setting, peace and tranquillity.

The Siew Flower Festival provides added attractions. Admire Siew flowers in full bloom and enjoy the colourful tribal shows.

Contact information:
Thoeng District
Tel: +66 (0) 5364 6627, 05364 6085

TabTao Sub-District Administrative Organization
Tel: +66 (0) 5318 9111

February 14, 2009 (every year) start 06.00 pm.
22nd "AMAZING VALLEY OF LOVE" TRIBAL RELATION FESTIVAL
At Ban Huai Mae Sai village, Moo 11, Mae Yao, Muang District

The modern-day descendants of the tribal peoples of Chiang Rai move with the times. To celebrate St Valentine’s Day, the local tribal communities of Chiang Rai will be staging a light-and-sound presentation by the various tribes in Mae Yao Sub-District offering a glimpse of their way of life. Various aspects of the festival are designed to highlight native art, culture and folk wisdom. Visitors will be presented with an opportunity to enjoy a traditional tribal dinner and to view and purchase tribal products.

Contact information:
Mae Yao Sub-District Administrative Organization
Tel: +66 (0) 5373 7359 ext. 16
Web site: www.maeyaomail.com

March 9-10, 2009
PHRA THAT DOI TUNG STUPA WORSHIPING CEREMONY AND BATHING RITUAL

Phra Thai Doi Tung, a historic landmark of Chiang Rai province, houses the relics of Lord Buddha and is considered to be a sacred stupa, highly revered by local residents. On certain dates as determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar, local residents and visitors from afar make a holy pilgrimage to Phra Thai Doi Tung to pay their respects at the sacred site.

14th –15th day of waxing moon in the fourth month
At Wat Phra Maha Chinna That Chao Doi Tung temple and at the Phra That Doi Tung sacred stupa in Mae Sai District

14th day of waxing moon
Dhamma practice
The preparation of consecrated water to bathe the Phra That Doi Tung stupa

15th day of waxing moon:
Buddhist merit-making offerings of dried food and other essential supplies are presented to monks. Pay respects at the Phra Thai Doi Tung stupa and conduct the ritual bathing of the stupa.

Contact information:
Chiang Rai Culture Office
Tel: +66 (0) 5371 7420

Mae Sai Education Office
Tel: +66 (0) 5373 1842