Chiang Mai is a city built on the roots of a traditional
heritage that dig deep into the soil of time. It's a
city with a beautiful cultural personality of its own.
In addition, it's been blessed with much majestic beauty
in nature. The people themselves are an unforgettable
part of Chiang Mai. Handicrafts of silk, silver and wood
are timeless souvenirs for visitors from all over the
globe. Along with all this, a wide variety of
accommodations, restaurants, and entertainment all help
to make Chiang Mai one of Thailand's prime tourist
attractions.
With a population of 1,547,085 Chiang Mai is one of Thailand's
largest provinces. Of the above number, 170,348 are currently living
in Chiang Mai's city area with the rest distributed throughout
Chiang Mai's 21 districts, 2 sub -districts. 80% of the people in
Chiang Mai are locals by birth, and speak a sialext that is a slight
variation of the central Thai language. The remaining 20% is made up
of Thai nationals and foreigners who have moved to Chiang Mai to
work, study, or retire.
There are many hilltribe people living in the mountainous
districts surrounding Chiang Mai such as Omkoi, Mae Jam, Chiang Dao,
and Mae Ai. Statistics reported by the Tribal Research Institute of
Chiang Mai stated that in the year 1992 there were 1,049 hilltribe
villages in the Chiang Mai province, constituting a total of 174,195
people. Of this amount, 106,116 were from the Karen tribe, 27,392
from the Lahu (Musur) tribe, 17,198 from the Hmong (Meo) tribe,
10,873 form the Lisu tribe, 8,862 from the Lua tribe, 2,609 from the
Akha tribe, 1,145 from the Mien (yao) tribe, and 485 from the Palong
tribe. The hilltribe people are agricultural; planting fields,
raising animals, and hunting for a living. Since each tribe has its
own culture and language, they blanket the hills of Chiang Mai with
an interesting patchwork quilt of diverse variety.
The majority (80%) of the Chiang Mai people earn a living through
agriculture and agricultural related professions. The second largest
vocation is tourism and its directly and indirectly related jobs.
General commerce and industry - mainly in the form of handicrafts,
and of processing agricultural products - are the two other major
professions in which the Chiang Mai people are involved.
Chiang Mai offers accommodation to suit every pocket. Five star
hotels, and resorts to simple bungalows, there’s something for
everyone. Entertainment is varied and the nightlife exciting.
Whether you plan on a long visit or short, you will be touched by
the friendliness of the people and the beauty of the Chiang Mai.
