Living Lanna: the craft traditions of the North

11 Sept 18:58 Key points summarised by AI

Chiang Mai, recognized as a UNESCO City of Craft and Folk Art, thrives with deeply embedded craft traditions that are actively integrated into daily life, religious practices, and contemporary design.
The Kao Mai Lanna Resort exemplifies adaptive reuse, transforming a mid-20th-century tobacco curing complex into an award-winning resort and museum, preserving industrial heritage while fostering new uses.
Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong, a 570-year-old temple, sustains Lanna Buddhist craftsmanship through exquisite metalwork, ritual objects, and the participatory Mai Kham Pho procession, linking faith with artisanal skill.
The Pa-Da Cotton Textile Museum and modern brands like Satu ensure the continuity of textile traditions by actively teaching and applying hand-weaving techniques, supporting local artisans and integrating heritage into contemporary fashion.

Lamphun in a New Light

Today 15:02 Key points summarised by AI

Lamphun illuminates its ancient city with two concurrent light festivals: the high-tech VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN and the traditional Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival.
VIJIT Thailand @ LAMPHUN transforms historic landmarks into an outdoor gallery, using projections and multimedia to animate Lamphun's history, including Queen Chamadevi's story.
The Hundred Thousand Lantern Festival, part of Yi Peng, fills temples and streets with countless traditional lanterns, symbolizing Buddhist devotion and personal wishes.
These festivals offer a unique after-dark experience, blending contemporary light art with centuries-old Lanna traditions, connecting visitors to Lamphun's past and faith.