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What's On in Chiang Mai and Beyond

1st: NATIONAL LABOUR DAY

1st: NATIONAL LABOUR DAY Monday, National holiday

1st: BATHING CEREMONY FOR HARIPHUNCHAI PAGODA

1st: BATHING CEREMONY FOR HARIPHUNCHAI PAGODA An ancient ceremony featuring many interesting activities such as the night parade with lighted candles, joss sticks and flowers around the wiharn. Throughout the week, the ceremony will be held with cultural performances, a giant drum competition and celebratory activities. More info, contact Lamphun Provincial Administrative Organization at 053-597260-3 ext 210 and 208.

5th: CORONATION DAY

7th: CORONATION DAY

7th: CORONATION DAY (Substitution Monday) National Holiday

8th: INFORMAL NORTHERN THAI GROUP

8th: INFORMAL NORTHERN THAI GROUP Regular monthly lecture with question and answer session at the Alliance Francaise, 138 Charoen Prathet Road (ten minutes' walk from the Night Bazaar). Topic to be announced. The INTG has been hosting talks, mainly about aspects of Southeast Asian culture, almost exclusively at the Alliance Francaise, since 1984. Everyone welcome. For further information, contact Brian Hubbard, 053-213972.

9th > 30th: ART THESIS EXHIBITION

9th > 30th: ART THESIS EXHIBITION by 6 postgraduate students from Printmaking, Painting and Sculpture Departments, Fine Arts Faculty, CMU. Includes 50 pieces of installation artwork. Opening night Wed 9th May at 6pm at CMU Art Museum. More info on: 053-944805, 053-944833 or www.finearts.cmu.ac.th

10th: ROYAL PLOUGHING CEREMONY

10th: ROYAL PLOUGHING CEREMONY Held at the Phramane Ground in the spiritual centre of Bangkok. Ploughing oxen are offered different grains, anccording to which they select first, the coming planting season's weather and output can be predicted. Features on TV.

13th: INTHAKIN WORSHIP CEREMONY

13th: INTHAKIN WORSHIP CEREMONYAnnual religious ceremony to pay homage to the city pillar to be held at Wat Chedi Luang. For more info, call 053-342252

Mid May: PINEAPPLE, LICHEE AND CHIANG RAI PRODUCTS FESTIVAL.

PINEAPPLE, LICHEE AND CHIANG RAI PRODUCTS FESTIVAL. OAn annual fair to showcase Chiang Rai's major produce, featuring pineapple and lichee contests, cultural product demonstration, to be held at Chiang Rai Beach (venue detail may change). For more info, please contact Chiang Rai Agricultural Office, Tel: 053-600530

15th > 31st: LANNA MUE TAWA

15th > 31st: LANNA MUE TAWA Photo exhibition by Boonserm Sartrapai, Lanna senior writer and photographer, on G. Floor, Pantip Plaza, Chiang Mai, in collaboration with Bookworm Company. More information 053-288 377.

20th: STUDENT RECITAL#1/50

20th: STUDENT RECITAL#1/50: An evening of music covering beloved classics by students of Voice Studio, at CMU Art Museum Theatre from 4 - 7pm, organized by Voice Studio Entertainment. More info and reservations at 053-410123, 08-1602-4443

23rd > 27th: *MAHAJANAKA*

23rd > 27th: *MAHAJANAKA*, an adaptation of the latest literary work by His Majesty the King for grand stage performance at Saentong Hall, 5th floor, Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel, as part of the exhibition to promote sufficiency economy. Showtime twice daily, at 1 pm and 6 pm. For more info, call 053-224 444.

31st: VISAKHA PUJA (Thursday) National Holiday

31st: VISAKHA PUJA (Thursday) National Holiday The day Buddhists all over the country celebrate the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha. In Chiang Mai, many Buddhist associations gather for the long night of processions up to the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The annual ceremony is celebrated both at the Wat Phra That and at the ceremonial starting point of the processions, the statue of Khruba Sivichai on the Huay Kaeo Road just past the zoo. Things get under way at about 6 p.m.

Until JUN

MUSEUM AT NIGHT, a historical exhibition about the city of Chiang Mai on Sundays 8.30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets Bht 90 for adults and 40 for children. More info: Public Relations, Chiang Mai University Art Museum, tel. 053-219 833.

The Other 11 Months

January