Festivals in Mid-January
Thru Mid-February

22nd, Borsarng Umbrella Festival
January 21-23

The Umbrella Festival, one of the most popular annual festivals in Chiangmai Province, is celebrated at Borsarng Village in the Sankampaeng District located 12 kms. from the inner city of Chiangmai, or 9 kms. from the Superhighway intersection Everyday in Borsarng, you will see umbrellas as you've rarely seen before. Umbrellas to keep the rain off, parasols to keep the sun off, tiny umbrellas to decorate a cocktail glass and huge umbrellas to enhance your garden, patio or terrace. Some are made from stretched cotton over bamboo and are undecorated plain and simple while others, made from specially prepared mulberry (saa) paper are a riot of color and exotic scenes of Thailand and nature. These items are always popular with visitors to ship back home.

There are parades along the main street of the village each day of the festival, but the biggest parade is on the opening day, Friday. This parade features traditional ancient bells, drums and Lanna musical instruments, 'fingernail' and tribal dancers, processions of floats decorated with painted umbrellas, beauty contestants, Lanna costumes and traditional offerings for monks. There is a beauty contest, woodcarving contests plus fan and umbrella painting contests. The entire village gets involved in the contest vying for best decorated shops.

Annual Flower Festival
February 4-6

February is an ideal time for flower viewing and cultivation in Chiangmai, as it is cool enough that the temperate climate flowers, such as roses and chrysanthemums, are still blooming. There are always Chiangmai's famous orchids, all of which will be used to adorn the beautiful floral floats which are the highlight of the annual parade.
The flower shows and demonstrations will be held near Nong Buak Haad Public Park. Events will begin on Friday at 8.00 a.m. in the morning. The opening ceremony for the show and demonstrations will take place at 5.00 pm. A cultural performance lasting two hours, will begin at 6.00 p.m. At 8.00 p.m. preliminary judging of contestants vying for the Flower Queen will begin, followed by more performances of local music and dance.

The second day of the festival, Saturday, will kick off with the annual parade. The floats and marchers assemble near the railway station at 6.00 a.m. At 8.00 a.m. the parade will move up Charoenmuang Rd., across the Kaew Nawarat Bridge and then up Thapae Road to the Thapae Gate. After passing through the Thapae Gate, the parade will turn left on Kotchasarn Rd. and then right on Rajchiangsaen Rd. and proceed to Boonruangrit Rd. and turn right. The procession will then turn right, passing through the Suan Dawk gate and turn right again to double back to Nong Buak Haad public park. The marchers will disperse but the floats will be parked in front of the park so that spectators can examine them in detail. It is recommended to secure a viewing spot for the parade early as it is always crowded. The crowning of the Flower Queen and the prize winners for the best floral floats will be announced at 2.00 pm., followed by a two-hour performance of traditional music and folk dance beginning at 5.00 pm.

Mae Jaem Dteen Jok Fabric and
Clothing Festival, February 11-13

Mae Jaem district is a fairly distant trek for the visitor to Chiangmai city, but an interesting adjunct to the annual Flower Festival is the Dteen jok festival in this far-flung part of Chiangmai province. The opening ceremony for the event will take place at 10.00 a.m. on Saturday in Mae Jaem, and the festival will conclude on Sunday.

Zin Dteen Jok are attached to sarongs woven by the women of Mae Jaem district. The main body of the sarong is woven in horizontal stripes, but beginning at about knee height an elaborate decorative stripe is woven in, using supplementary weft techniques, comprised of elaborate, geometric patterns. The last few inches of the sarong below the decorative stripe, ending at the hem, are woven in a plain color background.

Dteen Jok sarongs are woven of cotton. Sarongs prepared for royalty would be woven of silk and have more elaborate patterns, than ordinary ones. The decorative stripe might also have gold or silver threads woven in. On the way to Mae Jaem district, the visitor can take in the beauty of Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest mountain, as the road to Mae Jaem district goes over the shoulder of this tall peak. There will be demonstrations of the weaving techniques of Dteen Jok and examples of this distinctive textile will be on sale. Supplementary activities of a Thai festival such as this include delicious food for sale.

Wedding Ceremony on Elephant Back
February 14

February is an ideal time for lovers because Valentine's Day falls on February 14. Only the most romantic individuals choose this day to be married on. And to add more to an exotic celebration, the bridal couple can wear beautiful Thai costumes and parade sitting on elephant back. In 2005, at the 4th annual event, nine couples opted to take advantage of this great adventure. Nine (Gaew) is very auspicious number and the Thai phrase, Gaew Naw is "to courageously go forward." The ceremony includes souvenir, certificate and khantoke dinner with friends.

The complete package comprising mahout training course for two, two houses for 3 night stay, Khantoke celebratory dinner for dinner party of 20 persons plus giveaways is Baht 30,000. Other packages are available.

The Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Hang Chat, Lampang province is arranging this event. Reservations are accepted until February 10, 2005. Enquiries can be made by calling 054-247871, or 054-247876.