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| Chiang Mai,
built in 1296 by King Mengrai, is Thailand’s second largest
city with a district population of more than 1.5 million people.This
city built on the roots of a traditional heritage that dig
deep into the soil of time. It's a city with a beautiful cultural
personality of its own.In addition, it's been blessed with
much majestic beauty in nature. |
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The word Chiang means walled city - Mai means new.This new walled city was erected in the fertile valley through which runs the River Ping. It was then capital of the Lan Na kingdom and, on several occasions, has been overrun by the Burmese. In 1776 Chiang Mai was actually abandoned for more than 20 years. In 1932 Chiang Mai became a province of Siam, to be called Thailand in 1946.
With a population of 1,547,085 Chiang Mai is one of Thailand's largest provinces. Of the above number, 170,348 are currently living in Chiang Mai's city area with the rest distributed throughout Chiang Mai's 21 districts, 2 sub-districts. 80% of the people in Chiang Mai are locals by birth, and speak a dialect that is a slight variation of the central Thai language. The remaining 20% is made up of Thai nationals and foreigners who have moved to Chiang Mai to work, study, or retire.
Situated 700 kilometers from the capital, Bangkok, Chiang Mai sits in the northern mountainous region where the climate is cooler than the southern regions, with the exception of the months of March, April and May.
Cool Season : (late October to end of February). average temperature 21C and much cooler at night. The coldest months are December and January.
Hot Season : (early March to end of May) Average temperature 29.9C. The hottest month is April.
Rainy Season : (early June to end of October). Average temperature 25.5C. The wettest month is September.
Close by is Thailand’s highest mountain, Doi Inthanon (2,565 meters) which is the last peak of the Himalayan range. To the south only 27 kilometers is the city of Lamphun, the oldest in Thailand, built more than 1,200 years ago.
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