Guide ChiangMai

It was reported in the Bangkok Post on May 18 that the ancient Wat Prathat Doi Suthep (the temple on Suthep Hill) may be in danger of losing its stupa. The fears arise after the recent earthquakes in the region. Future earthquakes may cause the stupa to collapse.

A study done in 1997-1998 found that the Doi Suthep temple is located on soft ground. Other problems include softening of the structures of the stupa due to attack by water in the environment. The undergound water levels pose another problem.

It is estimated that initial budget of more than 200 million baht will be required to strengthen the stupa’s foundations to protect against possible subsidence and collapse.

It would be a huge pity if this ancient and sacred temple were lost. Let’s hope Wat Prathat Doi Suthep gets the support it needs.

Here’s the Bangkok Post article.

Sometimes informally called “Buddha’s birthday,” Visakha Bucha Day actually commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha. This day is considered to be the most important day in the Buddhist calendar, celebrated on the full moon of the sixth lunar month, which normally falls in May.

In Chiang Mai, it is celebrated with faithful Buddhists making a pilgrimage up to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep for the purpose of praying to the sacred Buddhist relics housed there and for the purpose of Merit-Making. ‘Merit-Making’ is an important aspect of Theravada Buddhism.

Beginning at sunset on the eve, the procession to Doi Suthep starts from Chiang Mai city and after a 9 km walk up the mountain, the participants arrive at the temple at about 3 a.m. At daybreak, the merit-making starts: food is offered to the monks and homage is paid to the Buddha images in the temple.

As this is an important Buddhist holiday, sale of alcohol is banned throughout Thailand. And most bars and other nightspots are closed.

Tata Young, Thailand’s very own international pop superstar, descended on Chiang Mai on 5th May 2008. Tata came to this northern city to promote her new album “One Love” and also her concert “One Love For Thailand”. The mini-concert was held in Central Airport Plaza Chiang Mai.

Support Tata Young’s One Love One Leaf project: Pay one baht and receive one leaf to donate to the Chaipattana Foundation to support the operation under the royal projects.

This darling of Thailand is so popular that one autograph session in another big shopping centre had to be cancelled before it even got started because there was too few security personnel to manage the huge crowds.

TripAdvisor(R), the world’s largest travel community, recently announced the winners of its inaugural Travelers’ Choice(R) Destinations Awards. These are all voted by the people who know them best - real travelers.

These awards represent the opinions of millions of travelers. The winners were determined by a combination of TripAdvisor’s travelers’ favorite places and overall popularity on TripAdvisor. You can download a free copy of the awards from their website.

I love these awards! It’s always interesting to compare your own favorite destinations with others. Where did Chiang Mai come in? #9 among Asia’s Tops. I have to admit I don’t agree with some of the rankings. For example Guilin, China is at #19. A much better travel destination would be the charmng Yangshuo, just down the river. Anyway, here are the top 10 of the world:

2008 Travelers’ Choice World Destinations
1. Milford Sound, New Zealand
2. Queenstown, New Zealand
3. Philipsburg, St. Maarten
4. Cayo Largo, Cuba
5. Rhodes, Greece
6. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
7. Cruz Bay, St. John
8. Bridgetown, Barbados
9. Banff, Canada
10. Lake Tahoe, California