At the bustling Chiang Mai Night Market, everything suddenly went quiet. Garlic stopped frying as flames got turned off, and the Muay Thai tournament went on pause. It was the first moment of silence for the King that I had experienced. It must have lasted a full minute, after-which suspended chopped onion began to fall back into woks and another punch was laid. It’s the King’s birthday in July and a national holiday is given on both the Friday and the Monday surrounding the royal event. I wonder if he brings cake?
Across the road from where I was staying, was the Amazing Thai Taste Festival. Some celebrity-looking figures were getting a photoshoot on a red carpet. Inside the tent, I nearly strolled straight passed two attractive TV presenters who were being filmed live! There was a big stage with a presumably popular band playing. I just find it funny how the Thai crowd watched in absolute stillness! South Africans would at least rock a bit. The volume was also extremely loud… I’m part deaf, but even for me it was a bit much.
There are some natural hot springs just outside of Chiang Mai City – at about seven different areas, all clustered near the geothermic hot spot. The “Mineral Pool” is a lovely 35 degrees C. The other pools are for boiling eggs. There is also a shallow moat running through the entire place, where locals were enjoying picnics with their feet in the farty water. The whole place had a lovely local vibe, with elevator-type music playing in the background. I got a 30-minute Thai foot massage, which was a bit painful at some points! I considered that my feet had been through a lot during my time in Thailand.
A Saffa friend living in Vietnam was over doing a visa run. He had taken the long train journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, which sounds like quite an experience. We were thirsty for a good catch-up over iced beer, but it happened to be Buddhist Lent. No alcohol to be sold for two days. We followed a long line of farangs thinking that they might be on the same mission, but no luck.
My other friend then got the expat group on the case to suggest any places operating undercover, and we found beer being served at the back of OMG Bar in big black mugs. It was an Aussie who tipped us off. Trust the Aussies to find a cold bevvie during such times!
Next: Thailand #27 – Pew Pew Pew!
Previously: Thailand #25 – Confident Haircut No.1
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