Artistic Work Event Program on the theme of "Visit Lanna" (The Colorful Lanna…. of Rajapreuk Flower)

Date : 14- 24 August 2008 at 16.00 - 21.00 hrs
Venue : Royal Chiang Mai Agricultural Research Center (World Horticultural Plants) in Mae Hia Sub-district, Muang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai Province.

Opening Ceremony
On 14 August 2008 at 18.00 -19.00 hrs
Chaired by H.E. Minister of Tourism and Sports

Activites
On Rajapreuk Square. Activities start at 16.00 hrs

Kaad Mua Khrua Hom :
It is a presentation of local traditional market of Lanna people. Local dialect love to say "Tiu sa Aeo Kaad Mua Kaad Muang."

Stage for Major Shows :
There are displays featuring local traditions and culture of Lanna people; the presentation of 4-region cultural shows and contemporary plays, e.g., Jumping Bird Show, King-ka-ra Bird Dance, Khru Ka-wai Sword Dance

Works f Art Road (Chiang Mai Pedestrian Road) :
Activities on the art road assemble all works of art for presentation and for sale and display to spectators to watch, e. g., local Lanna music performance, real-life paintings, works of art by students, artistic inventions from skilled artists and craftsmen.

Main Auditorium starts 12.00 noon
- Exhibition of Artistic Handicrafs on the theme of " Phum Phaya Sala Muang" meaning the local wisdom of Lanna craftsmen who are to present artistic handicrafts at the Event. The craftsmanship includes a variety of paintings, carvings, decorative works, woodworks, steelwork, fabric works and a host of other handicrafts.
- Sale of OTOP Products and Tourism Booths
- Small Stage Shows : A variety of Thai cultural shows, presentations including tourism promotional activities.
- Tourism Information Booths for 8 northern Lanna provinces
- HM the King Commemorative Garden Booth and Bangkok Bank Booth

For further details, please contact:
- The Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tel. 66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 3485-9
- TAT Chiang Mai, Tel. 66 (0) 5324 8604, 66 (0) 5324 8607
www.tourismthailand.org

Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand

Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand is about 785 kilometers north of Bangkok. Situated on the Kok River basin, Chiang Rai covers an area of approximately 11,678 square meters with an average elevation of 580 meters above sea level. The province, which is located within the renowned Golden Triangle area where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand converge, is also known as the gateway to Myanmar, Laos and Southern China.

Chiang Rai, which was founded in 1262 by King Meng Rai,was the first capital of the Lanna Thai Kingdom (Kingdom of a million rice fields), which was later conquered by Burma. It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became a Thai territory and was proclaimed a province during the reign of King Rama VI in 1910.

Today, Chiang Rai is a travelers paradise endowed with abundant natural tourist attractions and antiquities; the province itself is evidence of past civilization. Attractions range from magnificent mountain scenery, ruins of ancient settlements, historic sites, Buddhist shrines and ethnic villages as the province is also home to several hill tribes who maintain fascinating lifestyles. For those interested in the natural side of Chiang Rai, jungle trekking is recommended along various trails.

Chiang Rai which tends to be a little more 'laid back' now competes with Chiang Mai as a tourist attraction and is fast becoming a popular escape for tourists wanting to get away from the troubles they left behind.

Chiang Rai, Thailand

Chiang Rai Northern border of Thailand. Chiang Rai was founded in 1262 by King Meng Rai and was the first capital of Lanna Thai (Kingdom of a Million Rice fields). The province contains Thailand's northernmost point at Mae Sai, which is well known for its crisp mountain scenery, and hill tribes. North of Chiang Rai is known as the Golden Triangle, the area where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge.