Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) Tourist Guide


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Event of the Month:
The Romeo & Juliet of Lanna:
The Romantic Myth of Ma Mia

This tragic love story is based on events that took place about 100 years ago. When young Chiang Mai Prince Sukkasem, the son of Jao (Prince) Kaew Naowarat, Chiang Mai viceroy,went to study in St. Patrick’s School, Malamaeng, a province of Burma, he fell deeply in love with a young Burmese girl named Ma Mia. On finishing his studies and returning to Chiang Mai, he was accompanied by Ma Mia, disguised as a boy. But that created a problem because at that time Chiang Mai was ruled by Krung Siam, based in Bangkok. The Siamese court placed obstacles in the way of the fulfilment of this romance, and the couple were forced to separate. Ma Mia was sent back to Malamaeng, and the heartbroken Prince Sukkasem could make nothing of his life, dying at the age of 33. Back in Burma, Ma Mia, equally stricken, ordained as a nun and lived in seclusion for the rest of her life.

As a young girl, I always supposed this popular tale to be nothing but a piece of romantic fiction, but thanks mainly to the work of Dr. Thanet Charoenmuang, one of the North’s famous researchers, it is now clear that the story itself has a firm historical basis, and the play which is frequently performed concerns aspects and persons who belong to not-so-distant Northern Thai history.

It is therefore a matter of interest that a performance of the play, entitled The Romantic Myth of Ma Mia, is now in production and will be performed in the kam muang (Northern Thai), Thai and English languages at the 8th floor auditorium of the Faculty of Humanities Building, Chiang Mai University, from the 21st - 27th November, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Faculties of Humanities and Social Science.

The play will be given seven performances in all, and further information is available from Ajarn Cheerichan Pradipasen 053 – 217407 and 01-671 9336. Proceeds will be used for the benefit of the two faculties and the local community.

Event of the Month:
The Fourth Nimmanhemin Street Festival,
4th – 7th December, 2003

Nimmanhemin Art and Design Promenade will be held at the same location as usual, Soi 1 Nimmanhemin Road, organized by the Amari Rincome Hotel and the businesses in this area.

This time the fair will be bigger and better, more than 80 shops participating to show their top quality and artistic design products such as textiles, antiques, antique silverware, hill tribe handicrafts, locally-made jewelry, paintings, photographs, herbal teas, spices, confectionery and much more. Every night there will be performances, fashion shows, local music, traditional dances, and art exhibitions.