S.P. Publishing Group Co., Ltd. 11/1 Soi 3 Bamrungburi Rd., T. Prasingh, A. Muang., Chiang Mai 50200 Tel. 053 - 814 455-6 Fax. 053 - 814 457 E-mail: guidelin@loxinfo.co.th

	---> 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

DESTINATION:
The Night Safari - A world away, in just a few minutes…

Activities and tourist attractions are aplenty in Chiang Mai: beautiful temples, mountains, elephant riding, water rafting, markets, museums, mountain biking, hot springs…I could go on. What they have in common however, is that they are all daytime activities. So what about the evening? Apart from a few decent bars and restaurants, which to be honest are not that hard to find back home, night time activities are very limited. So spare a few minutes and allow me the occasion to present to you an unforgettable evening's entertainment.

The natural forest of the Doi Suthep Pui National Park, located just 12km from downtown, is home to the Chiang Mai Night Safari. Built on 324 acres of stunning forest, this world class nature park must rank as one of the top tourist attractions in all of South East Asia, let alone Thailand or Chiang Mai.

A free round trip shuttle service, available each night from the Night Bazaar, will escort you straight to the main entrance and into the Lanna Village: a stunning group of buildings combining Lanna and African architectural styles that act as the centre point of the park, and including souvenir shops, a food court, the starting point of the three main animal zones and the photo corner - where you can have a professional picture taken with one of the few baby animals. The latest offspring are the adorable baby bears but if all goes well, in the very near future, one of the most endangered species in the world, the white Bengal tiger, may be introducing a new cub into the world. With only around 200 in existence, a fantastic opportunity to see a new born tiger may soon be a possibility. There are no guarantees of when or even if this will happen, so to avoid disappointment, be advised to call first and check the status of the situation.

Around the vast Swan Lake you can walk along the Jaguar Trail, or take a golf cart around for 300 baht, and is home to over 400 small animals. A stand of flamingoes greets you before a group of lemurs can be seen messing around on one of the freestanding islands on the lake. The impressive clouded leopard and giant turtles from the Republic of the Seychelles you can almost touch and the most interesting of the wild animals here include the capybara - the world's largest rodent - the squirrel monkey and the pygmy hippos.

The trams for the English version around The Predator Prowl and Savanna Safari Zones leave twice at 7.45pm and 9.30pm, and 8.30pm and 10.15pm respectively. Combined, there are over 500 animals that you pass by in an open environment, with insightful running commentary from English speaking guides. Imagine the thrill of seeing a zeal of zebras under a light as full moon bright in the dead of night just minutes after riding alongside an elan - the largest antelope in the world; or contrasting the crash of white rhinos lying as motionless as the Siamese crocodiles, with the sprightly cheetahs and cackle of hyenas. What about the lions, elephants, bears, giraffes and tigers I hear you cry? Don’t worry; there are plenty of these too.

The exhilarating rides were climaxed by the beautiful musical fountain and water screen show that takes place twice a night. Set in the middle of Swan Lake a dazzling display of lasers and water jets combine to create a magnificent show of water and light to the backdrop of classical and African dance music.

If you think that an evening is just not long enough, then you’ll be welcome to stay at the Night Safari’s resort, or camp out on the grounds and fall asleep to the harmonious sounds of the birds and the beasts.

More info at Chiang Mai Night Safari 33 Moo 12, T. Nhong Kway, A. Hang Dong, Chiang Mai 50230. Tel. 053-999000. www.chiangmainightsafari.com.

Text : Finley B. Luge
Images: Karin