Festivals in January and February, 2003

MOST PEOPLE LOVE a festival or fair and now is the time to drop in on local events which will offer visitors a great day out with the chance of catching some excellent shopping bargains.

Don't miss out on the strawberry season until end of February. Everyone's favorite fruit is sold at the night bazaar ot take a drive to the city's outskirts such as Chonlaprathat Road or to the highway entrance of Mae Ram-Mae Rim road to select fresh harvest.

The Borsang Umbrella Festival will take place from January 17-19. The festival draws crowds of Thai and overseas visitors to see the colorful parades, listen to music, enjoy folk dancing and beauty contests.

Borsang is a handicrafts village not far from Chiang Mai on the Sankampaeng. Road. It is an easy songtaew or tuk tuk ride (about 25 minutes) and the village specializes in making parasols by hand. We're not talking about "ordinary" rainy day umbrellas but the type you would love to have decorating your garden or patio. They come in all sizes and finishes from plain, white fabric to gaily painted coated paper canopies. Great swirls of dragons, flowers or butterflies adorn each umbrella (there are fans of all sizes, too) all totally handmade and hand painted in Borsang. In fact, a stroll around one of the umbrella factories is recommended so that you can see how umbrellas are assembled from beginning to end. Although it is amazing to see the skills and craftsmanship which have been passed down for generations, it is more of a mystery as to how such skills arrived at this small village of Borsang.

One story has it that, centuries ago, a young Borsang boy became a monk and during his faraway wanderings was presented with an umbrella to protect him from the elements. He'd never seen such a useful thing so enquired how it was made. He eventually returned to Borarng with the "how to" information. Maybe this was a case of early industrial espionage! Another legend suggests that the umbrella-making skills came with the Dtai people (Thai ancestors) when they migrated from southern China, bringing their many-tiered ceremonial umbrellas with them. Whichever story is true is unimportant. The umbrella village of Borsang is an unusual place to visit. The village is listed in the Guiness Book of Records when locals proved they could produce the World's Largest Umbrella. The event will provide plenty of sights, sounds, displays and fun during its festival days. Go to it?

For anyone considering hand carved wood furniture and decorative items, then Baan Tawai Woodcarving Fair is the place to be. Baan Tawai has long been a home industry village but totally different to elsewhere Baan Tawai started out as wholesalers and only recently opened retail shops. The villagers are long established masters at carving, crafting and working of the native woods of northern Thailand. The village is located off the Hangdong Road (take a left at the sign posted at the intersection.) Visitors who don't have their own transport can take a songtaew from the city (about 30 minutes). The Woodcarving Fair runs from January 24 until 27.

Woodcarving at Baan Tawai was once a supplementary income industry when farmers would whittle and carve wood after the rice crop had been harvested. Shaping wood and making furniture brought in extra income while they waited for the rains to come and the rice planting season to begin. That was generations ago when teak wood was aplenty. Nowadays, teak is scarce and very expensive but now mango and monkeypod woods are extremely popular. If you wish to buy genuine teak, make sure the sales person knows your requirements. Otherwise, it is better and less expensive to settle for alternative woods. The Baan Tawai is a major export center freighting products to all parts of the world. Yes, even that "Cigar Store Indian" you've seen back home may well have been crafted in Baan Tawai! This writer knows of a wooden Thai Spirit House, ornately fretted, which now adorns the garden of a home near Edinburgh, Scotland.

At Baan Tawai, the range of wood carvings and wood products is immense making it a magnet for serious shoppers and bargain hunters. Items from traditional, whimsical and modern bookends, table lamps, knick knacks, liquor cabinets, wardrobes, chairs, bedroom suites, living room furniture and dining suites all beautiful carved handicrafted by the local crafts people.

One thing quickly noticeable at Baan Tawai, is that the prices are perhaps half or one third of what you would pay back home. Even the largest items dining or living room suites are real bargains (especially at the moment with the Euro and Dollar riding high). After falling in love with that beautiful liquor cabinet or sideboard, don't be dismayed thinking, "How will I get it Home"? No problem whatsoever, contact Boonsak Cargo and Shipping (See their advertisement in this issue). That cumbersome item will be professionally shipped to your own doorstep. Do make sure you receive the necessary receipts and copies of shipping documents. Enoy the Fair!

Highlights of February Events :

1. Chinese New Year falls on February 1-3 and expect large crowds over this weekend. The Third Expomap Organized by the International Council for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (ICMAP) in cooperation with Chiangmai University. At Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel. February 3-7.
2. Flower carnival Over 20 flower-covered floats parade through the city on Saturday morning. Beauty contests, flower exhibitions, cultural performances at Buag Haad City Park and Playground. February 7-9.
3. Dteen Jok Festivel Mae Jaem district near Doi Inthanon is well worth a visit for this annual event. See the weaving techniques demonstrated and prized fabrics on display. Buy unusual traditional Thai souvenirs at very reasonable prices. February 7-9.
4. Mass lanna wedding ceremony 50 willing couples in their "Lanna Valentine's Wedding" to promote Lanna wedding dress styles and to introduce the Lanna style wedding ceremony at Khum Khantoke (behind Carre Four). February 14.
5. Elephant stoke Khantoke dinner with shows at the Lampang Elephant camp. Tickets at TAT Office. February 15-17.
6. Makha Bucha, a religious holiday commemorates the occasion of the Buddha's first sermon to 250 disciples. All are welcome to join the "Wien Thien" procession under the full moon. Worshippers carry lighted candles, joss sticks and small flower bouquets while walking three times around the temple Jedee. According to lunar calendar the date is February 16.