Culture & Society in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai culture is also interesting topic for the foreigners. I have been in here for all my life and never move to be any place in Thailand. Actually, I would like to do but even in my hometown, I have not known all of my culture. So, I decide to learn more as much as possible. It’s hard to know more but I think it’s very wonderful. I have two examples of Chiang Mai’s culture for you to consider, maybe you plan to be there in next trip.

  “Wai” means lifting two hands together up to the chest and bow the head. Thais’ always do for greeting to other people and also apologize and thank. Anyways, it can be shown for among rich and poor, young and elder, monk, teacher and even power spirit such as death people and holy. Although nowadays Thai people continuously forget about this custom, it’s still the one way to show Thai people. And people wai to each other in every part of Thailand.

The Wai is one of the most famous of symbols that people recognize as being “Thailand”. To do it right is almost an art form and something that many Thais take great care to express properly and sincerely. Normally, we always wai to people who are older than us, monk and teacher. Although nowadays Thai people continuously forget about this custom, it’s still the one way to show Thai people. And people wai to each other in every part of Thailand.

Related Clips Video: Lantern , Paper , Tung

Paper Lantern - Lan na artistry in the night mode
As the night falls on the Lan Na region duringthe full moon of the twelfth lunar month, the dark sky and deep river become decorated by the many thousands of lights in the Yi Peng festival. Though the Yi Peng festival is referred to as worship of the goddess of water as we know, there are other rituals which relate to the Lan Na buddhist beliefs that involve offering paper lanterns to Buddha.

These paper lanterns vary in appearance and patterns and differ from region to region in particular regard to their design and style. They are are all created from the same original style passed down from generation to generation, however, sometimes people have adapted the designs and made them into their own

style to make them look quite different. The arch of the paper lantern is made from light bamboo, pulled together by threads with the frame covered with sa paper (mulberry paper) – the decorations vary a lot.

Khom Man Pad Liam or the octagon shape paper lantern is one type of design from Lampang province. The Khom Man Pad Liam paper lantern shows a unique style of Lampang with its design being passed on with knowledge from one monk who made a pilgrimage to the north of the Shan State in Burma. The monk was interested in the lantern’s style, so he learned the process of making it with the local people. In 1954, after he went back to Lampang, he taught his disciples in the village. Two of three disciples were brothers Poh Suk Pintasee and Poh Boonmee Pintasee from Wang Mhor village, and they have handed own this knowledge others. The procedure of this lantern is so complex, especially with the three levels of octagonal arches and with different floral ecorations on each level. As well as the complicated design work, a special tool is needed to make perforations in the design.

Nowadays, Khom Man Pad Liam has had this knowledge handed down to him from from Poh Suk, Poh Boonmee Pintasee and Poh Tham Krueraya, and it is reputed of the elegance of this Lan Na art work. So, this is one way to preserve Lan Na culture and to maintain the Lan Na beliefs that the participant who makes and launches the lantern during this festival will get merit for their next life.

The esthetics of the lanterns’ appearance goes well with the Lan Na beliefs where it’s not just about beauty but there is a lot more to do with the value of the Lan Na culture as well as the Lan Na faith.

Poh-ui (grandpa) rolls his cigarettes and will arrange the tobacco on the Bai-Tong-Jor (dried banana leaf to enhance its menthol favor. These local cigarette ingredients are widespread all over the Lanna area and are always kept in an iron box called Poh-Ya-Khuen. This is the daily activity of old Chiang Mai people which it’s quite difficult to see. Nowadays, people have modern cigarettes so that they forget about the old one. However, some people and place try to decorate the entrance with dry are-nut, cigarettes, and cheroots indicate the hospitality of Lanna people welcoming every visitor.

Tan Kuay Salak is Lanna tradition to present offerings to a Buddhist monk. It’s normally on September to November in every year. Each village will set the date for people and the temple in order to parade to Wat or temple. Then a bamboo baskets are made with the banana leafs putting on the bottom of basket. After that people put the dry food (stock fish, red onion, instant noodles, cigarette, etc.), fresh fruits (banana, sugar cane, orange, etc) and appliances (toothpaste, soap, toilet paper, towel, etc.) and make it like a shelf. The people who intent to make Tan Kuay Salak have to identify person who donates on behalf of, and then write it down on book palm (Salak) before putting to the shelf. Next they decorate with the flowers and celestial tree before making a parade with cultural shows and going to the choosing temple.