IJCNLP 2011 Blog

If you are looking for a fun holiday in Thailand that goes beyond the usual shopping, sightseeing and exhaustive activity-packed tour programs, then Yeepeng Lanna International might be just what you are looking for.

A truly rewarding overseas holiday does not have to be exhausting nor expensive. Every year, Thais and foreign guests come to Sansai District of Chiang Mai to witness and participate in “Yeepeng Lanna,” the cultural event of releasing floating lanterns into the winter sky on a full-moon night.

This year, the world-renowned event is going to be different. For the first time, a one-day Yeepeng Lanna International cultural program will be arranged for foreign visitors on the 9th of November 2011 at Tudongkhasathan Lanna – the site of the annual festival. The sweet scent of flowers and candles as well as the spirit of serenity that exists at Tudongkhasathan Lanna will add a brilliant touch to the amazing ambience.

“Brighten the World Brighten the Mind”

The program, which starts in the evening, will allow you to savor the sight of warm smiles and hospitality of northern Lanna people, and a chance to dine on delicious northern cuisine known as “Kantok” while enjoying traditional Thai dance performances. Then you will find yourself captivated by the picturesque scene of thousands of floating lanterns glittering the evening sky.

Just before the release of the floating lanterns, you will have the chance to immerse yourself in total peace and serenity from a short practical lesson on meditation to be given by Buddhist monks. Afterwards, they will recite traditional prayers and give blessings to wish everyone – regardless of nationality, race and faith – happiness, great health and prosperity.

For those wishing to learn more about meditation, the program can be extended by seven more days to include practical lessons provided in English by trained teaching monks. The additional program called will take place in the beautiful hills of Chiang Mai where you will relish the sight of picturesque gardens, the taste of healthy meals and the clean fresh air.

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To enter Thailand, you may be required to apply for entry visa. However, Thailand has made visa-free (or visa-on-arrival) arrangements with many countries. The list of countries whose citizens would need a visa can be found here (however, please still check with Thailand Overseas Mission in your country of residence whether your passport will need a visa—such information is usually available in the mission’s website).

If you needed to apply for visa, we would encourage you to submit your visa application as soon as you received letter of invitation from the conference organizers. If you have not requested for the letter of invitation, you can request it from Ms. Sineenat Tienkouw at sineenat.tienkouw[at]nectec.or.th with your accepted paper information, full name as in your passport, affiliation, postal and email address. Check out Thailand Overseas Mission’s website at your country of residence for the full requirement for Visa application.

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Chiang Mai has a large and famous night bazaar for arts, handicrafts, and imported products of all descriptions, and a number of large, well-appointed modern shopping centres. The night bazaar alone sprawls along several city blocks along footpaths, inside buildings and temple grounds, and in open squares. Every Saturday evening a handicraft market is held along Wua Lai road, Chiang Mai’s silver street on the south-side of the city beyond Chiang Mai gate, and which is then also closed to motorized traffic while Sunday has famous walking street market inside Chiang Mai gate along Rajdumnern Road. Both Saturday and Sunday events attract many local residents and tourists. The following are suggest shopping place that you cannot miss!!!

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The Royal Flora Ratchaphruek

The Royal Flora Ratchaphruek was a flower festival held 1 November 2006, to 31 January 2007, in the Thai city of Chiang Mai that drew 3,781,624 visitors. It was one of the grand celebrations being hosted by the Royal Thai Government in honor of King Bhumibol, the world’s longest reigning monarch. The 92 days of the expo featured 30 international gardens reflecting nations such as Japan, South Korea, Belgium, Netherlands, South Africa, and Canada; more than 2.5 million trees of 2,200 species of tropical plants and flowers are presented to the world in this exhibition.

The festival included many highlights to attract tourists:

• Gardens for the king There were two features in this zone: one was International gardens, which were presented by 30 participating nations and covered 21,000 square meters; the other was Corporate gardens, which covered 27,475 square meters, and were presented by both Thai state enterprises, and domestic and international major corporations.

• Ho Kham Royal Pavilion This building featured Lanna architecture, the architectural style of northern Thailand; inside, visitors saw pictures of King Bhumibol’s works and his dedication. (more…)

Loy Kratong Festival (Chiang Mai)

Undoubtedly the biggest and most colorful festival of the year in Thailand is Loy Kratong or Yi Peng, as it is known in Chiang Mai and the north. It is held on the night of the full moon of the twelfth lunar month and usually falls in November. It originated in Sukhothai and spread north and east. The other parts of Thailand celebrate this festival but nothing like in Chiang Mai.

Loy Kratong is probably the most picturesque and most beautiful of Thai celebrations. ‘Loy’ literally means ‘to float’ and ‘Kratong’ refers to the lotus-shape vessel that can float on water. Originally, the kratong was made of banana leaves or the layers of the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily plant. A kratong contains food, betel nuts, flowers, joss sticks, candle and coins. The making of a kratong is much more creative these days as many more materials have been applied in making a kratong.

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Thailand’s “Rose of the North” is a cultural and natural wonderland with ethnic diversity, a multitude of attractions, and welcoming hospitality. (more…)