The six-day media visit to Thailand was upon invitation by Thai Airways and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The trip took us on an exciting tour of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Bangkok to discover the culture and see the other side of Thailand, including the hill tribes in the Northern region and the so–called "Golden Triangle" which borders Myanmar and Laos.

CHARMING CHIANG MAI

Eager and expectant, the group arrived in Chiang Mai and headed straight for the Sunday Night Market in the heart of the city. This is one of the best places to shop in Thailand. Unlike your usual night bazaar, there are more vendors selling interesting little knickknacks such as strands of beads in all shapes, colors and lengths, wood bangles hand-painted with dragons and flowers, quirky paintings and toys.

An old woman and her daughter sold embroidered blankets and bohemian skirts that were such a steal we were embarrassed to bargain. But bargain you must, as fellow traveler Pepper Teehankee, who found a metal monk sculpture, insisted. It’s part of the fun of flea market shopping!

Back at the night bazaar the next evening, we were able to purchase dainty silver jewelry and glass pendants from a local designer.

The one–hour time difference can get confusing on your first day out, yet everyone was eager to head off to the luxe (and much talked about) Mandarin Oriental Dhara Devi Chiang Mai. From the moment you enter the drive way, you will be in awe of the sheer expanse of the property and its palatial main lobby.

Each nook and cranny spoke of the rich Thai culture. The one-bedroom suites were luxurious but comfortable, with balconies that allowed you to sit back to relish the surroundings.

For honeymooners or families, there are villas that make you feel like you are in a private paradise.

Perhaps most exciting about the Chiang Mai stop, as least for this first timer, were the animals. First was the Maesa Elephant Camp. The huge creatures bathed in the river, gamely posed for photographs (seriously!!), painted flowers, played soccer and the harmonica. The elephant ride up a muddy hill felt like a roller coaster ride. Up next was a visit to the Chiang Mai Night Safari where everyone caught a glimpse of nocturnal creatures – white tigers, lions, hyenas and bears among others.

ROYAL PROJECTS

One of the key points of the visit to Chiang Mai was to see the Royal Initiative Projects which were put in place by Thailand’s beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the Princess Mother. Established in the northernmost part of Chiang Mai and neighboring province Chiang Rai, the livelihood projects include agricultural products and greenhouses filled with assorted flora. The projects, which has taken more than 20 years to be completely implemented, were to provide the hill tribe people an alternative to growing opium in the region.

The Royal Agricultural Station Angkhang in Chiang Mai was a stone’s throw from the Angkhang Nature Resort. Mookie. general manager of the hotel, explained that due to the cool climes of the area, they are able to plant ‘cold weather fruit crops’ like peaches, strawberries, blueberries and the like, which are then sold as sweet jams, dried fruits, atbp. In the greenhouses, flowers of all kinds are grown and sold all over Thailand and Asia. All proceeds from the sales are then put back into the program and used for the community, such as schoolhouses for the children.

The women also make colorful grass bracelets which they sell to visitors at ‘three-for-ten-baht’ which roughly translates to P20. Everyone in the group eagerly bought a bunch, as well as a few jars of jam to bring home.

Certainly not to be missed is the Hall of Opium in the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park. It is located in the once infamous Golden Triangle, which gained notoriety as the world’s largest opium producer in the world.

Thanks to the efforts of His Majesty the King, the opium trade has been brought to a halt thru the Sustainable Alternative Development program and the region is now known for its coffee, macadamia nuts and other products.

The impressive museum showcases the history of the Lanna Kingdom (of which Chiang Rai was the first capital) and the story of the opium trade in Thailand.

Another key project of King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the One Town, One Product (OTOP) project in which the different towns each produce high-quality products which are then sold in OTOP outlets. These include — celadon cups and tableware, silk scarves, souvenir dolls, silver jewelry and organic skincare products.

A TOUCH OF GOOD LUCK

Next, we were brought to the Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & Spa at the heart of Chiang Rai. After a delightful dinner, everyone was ushered into the courtyard for a uniquely Thai tradition of releasing lanterns into the sky,. The huge delicate lanterns are filled with hot air from a kerosene soaked light at the bottom. As it slowly rises off the ground, the person holding it guides it until it is time to be released in the air. The release of the lantern is supposed to take with it all your bad luck and bad vibes, paving the way for better times ahead.

These lanterns can float in the sky for at least three hours.

ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK

The next morning, we packed our belongings and headed off to the airport for the flight to Bangkok, but not before stopping by the Rhong Kun Temple in Chiang Rai. The all-white temple was built in honor of the King and of Buddha. The entire temple is trimmed with pieces of glass, which makes the impressive structure shimmer in the sunlight.

After checking into the Dusit Thani Bangkok, right on the busy (and very central) See Lom Road, we went straight for more shopping. The very modern malls, like Siam Paragon, were a far cry from the flea markets that the group had been to. We found more great bargains, especially in the grocery — bags of green-colored pandan rice, dried fruits and mushrooms, spices, atbp.

One fun activity was the Siam Ocean World. Like most aquariums, you will find display tanks with the widest array of sea creatures but it is only here that you will find fish in a car, a microwave oven and a wine cabinet. As usual, the penguins stole the show.

For those unfamiliar with Thailand’s colorful history, watching the cultural show Siam Niramit is a must on your itinerary. The show, which could rival any Broadway production with a river onstage and stunning lighting effects, takes you thru a musical journey of the different dynasties and religious stories. The show includes a parade with two live elephants walking down the aisles.

After the show, everyone hurried off to the Suan Lum night market for last minute shopping — one of the biggest weekday night markets in Bangkok with an overwhelming selection of shoes, clothes, bags, accessories, jewelry and furniture. Among the items that found their way to this writer’s shopping bag were pairs of colorful rubber flats, a woven bag, and knickknacks galore. The only thing you can’t buy there is more space in your suitcase.

So here’s the deal. On your next visit to Thailand, be sure you’ve got a desire to learn about culture, plenty memory space in your digital camera, a hunger to try all the delicious food, and lots of space on your suitcase.