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	---> MORE Destinations: _________________________________ New Perspective of Chiang Rai at Latitude 19 VISITING A BORDER TOWN: Mae Sot – then and now The Poy Sang Long Festival in Mae Hong Son The Samoeng Strawberry Festival Far Out and Cool in Fang District PICTURE PERFECT Mon Jaem Chiang Mai Reflections and a Night Safari Adventure Wat Palad: The Temple below the Temple The Bua Tong Waterfall Park The Cave and Hot Springs of the Mae On Area A DAY TRIP TO DOI INTHANON Two wheels good four wheels…er… The Sino-Thai Dragon Temple of Wat Tha Ton Doi Inthanon - Thailand’s Highest Mountain Kad Mua - an all-you-need market Chiang Dao High! Chiang Mai’s Red Cross and Winter Fair Loy Krathong at Tak A RETREAT TO... Kwan Yin Bodhisattva Hall Living with nature: Galyani Vadhana District Treasures of Myanmar A Journey to Shangri-La Pha Wing Choo – A Lover's Cliff Wiangtakan – The Past Remains Rural Life and Natural Mystery in Chaiprakarn Taking Aim at Chiang Mai's Shooting Gallery Chiang Mai - Maerim - Samoeng Route Hot Springs (and eggs) Ratchaphruek Festival 2009 The 5th Lanna - Japan Festival 2009 Make a Day of it at the New Look Night Safari Mae Sa Snake Farm Marine Lives in a Mountainous Zoo X-Centre Mae Hong Son, Pang Oong and much more along the way... Mae Kampong Village Tiger Kingdom Pai: The Hub of Joy Flower Festival Annual Bo Sang Umbrella Festival at Bo Sang Village Wiang Kum Kam: The Underground Ancient City Loy Kratong: The Town's Joyful Festival Monkey Centre Maerim, Chiang Mai Baankwai Thai Maerim Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden THE ROYAL PALACE ON DOI SUTHEP The Night Safari Ban Saonak Chae Son National Park Lamphun's Wat Chamathevi Doi Tao Lake Mae Sai Bai the Beautiful Wieng Kum Kam Mae Klang Luang Village Doi Pui - Hmong Tribal Village Nan Province Wat Suan Dok Chiang Saen: a city in myth and reality One Night in Chiang Rai and a day across the border A trip full of tour guides Two Days and a Night in the Country The Sumptuous Angkhang Gourmet Tour AWAY FROM IT ALL IN NEARBY MAE WANG Children's Day at the Westernmost Point of Thailand To Lamphun Along the Road of Histories ESCAPING TO PAI A WINTER TRIP ON THE PING RIVER To the Back of Beyond, right on your doorstep Visiting the Shrine of the Elephant-Headed God Visiting Samui Back to Nature at Opkhan National Park Lost in the Chiang Mai Zoo Three Days through the Northern Countryside DOING A NINE-TEMPLE KARMA TRIP - Right Here in Chiang Mai An Early Summer Trip to the Thi Lo Su Falls Nan: Forest, Temples and the Salt of the Earth TREKKING AND TUCKING IN: Wawee Coffee Plantation Mai Long Yee - Lovely Whatever Else You Call It Magnificent Creatures at Wat Changkham Off to See Some Mural Paintings in Lampang The Salawin and the People of Tha Tafang A Hike in the Forest A Journey back in time A Long Night of Luxury in the Chiang Dao Valley Ice-cold in Omkoy A Quick Visit to a Karen Wedding Strawberry Fields Forever A quick ride to Jaesorn National Park A Journey to Wawee A Birding Trip for Newbies Nam Bor Phi Cave A Breath of Sea Air Shopping With a Difference: Kad Luang Airport ELEPHANTS AND ORCHIDS AND THE SNACKS IN BETWEEN Monsoon Miscellany MAE RIM LAGOON AN IMPRESSIVE TRIP - to the Sukantara Resort Visiting Luang Prabang, the Pearl on the Mekong River Phrae: refreshing trip, auspicious visits Up on the Mountain (again) at Khun Wang UP THE MOUNTAIN TO THUNG LUANG SINGAPORE - City of Parks A Short Sight-Seeing Trip to the Monkey Centre GIVE PAI A TRY! You won’t regret it A BUSY DAY’S VISIT TO SANKAMPAENG A Rainy Day Outing to Phrao Monsoon Miscellany TRIPPING AND TASTING ALONG THE HANDICRAFT HIGHWAYS

The Samoeng Strawberry Festival

Samoeng district and strawberries have become something inseparable in our minds, as Samoeng is the biggest strawberry producer in the whole country. It’s a popular destination for lovers from all around to come to and feel the romance in the air and have the unique experience of picking the luscious fresh strawberries in the farm fields, especially during February. And after all, Samoeng itself is only a 40 kilometers drive from the city.

Samoeng district is the producer of the very best variety and top grade of strawberries. Most of the farms are to be found in Bor Kaew, as you will see while driving along the main road. Some farms such as Rai Doi Kaew are open for visitors to come and enjoy the experience of strawberry picking. To do so, it’s a good idea first to contact the farm, at 08 4803 9905. For more information on how to get there, see Samoeng:‘Three Cities’ Amongst Lofty Mountains.

Each year in February, to boost tourism in the area, the Chiang Mai and Samoeng Provincial Administrative Organizations, with collaboration from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, run the Strawberry and Samoeng Festival. This year, it will take place from the 11-14th of February at and around the Samoeng district office.

Among the festival’s enjoyable activities and excitements you will encounter: majestic strawberry processions, fresh agricultural products booths, OTOP (strawberry wine, strawberry juice etc.) booths, Samoeng locally-made souvenirs, Northern Thai cuisine booths, Red Cross-managed booths, insecticide-free strawberry and agricultural products contests, Miss Tribal Beauty and Miss Strawberry Beauty Contests, a folk-music singing and dancing contest, etc.

Traveler’s Tips

Precaution and vigilance is important while driving. The roads leading to the Kalayaniwattana and Pai districts have some steep slopes and curves, and in some parts they can be both rough and narrow. Always make sure you’re using a seatbelt in your car or a helmet on your bike. Better safe than sorry, as we all agree.

Schedule

11th February 2012

Day time 8:00 o’clock - The Strawberry Procession 10:00 o’clock - Strawberry and agricultural products contests, Hmong formula car racing, strawberry booths, northern cuisine booths, a Red Cross booth, and various folk sports and performances.

Night time The Miss Tribal Beauty Contest and performances.

12th February 2012

Day time Exhibitions arranged by various agencies

Night time A Folk-song singing contest and associated performances

13th February 2012

Day time An exhibition staged by various agencies, with strawberries and various booths

Night time The Miss Strawberry Beauty Contest

14th February 2012

Day time 08:00 o’clock A Special Strawberry Group Marriage ceremony and the issuing of marriage certificates for the newly-weds, along with presents from the strawberry and agricultural product booths.

Text : Thanatouch Changkhammool
Images : Thanatouch & Sungwon