Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [264]
Dor Dek Gallery ( Map; 08 9859 6683; Th Samlan) sells the craft projects of street children employed by the Volunteers for Children Development Foundation. This private organisation runs an orphanage and work-training program for displaced children. The profits from sales are divided among the child artist, the program’s educational fund and future supply purchases.
Or what about something novel, like a gift that doesn’t need to be carried home? At Freedom Wheel Chairs Workshop ( Map; 0 5321 3941; www.freedomwheelchairs.org; 133/1 Th Ratchaphakhinai) you can purchase a wheelchair (9500B) that will be donated to a disabled person who cannot afford such an expense. Run by a Thai survivor of polio and her husband, the workshop purchases and customises wheelchairs and mobility aids for needy recipients.
Would you rather treat yourself to something pretty with a social-justice hook? Adorn with Studio Naenna ( Click here) is the in-town showroom of a village weaving project that gives young women in the Chom Thong district of Chiang Mai a viable economic income without having to leave their families and migrate to the city for work. It also preserves traditional weaving techniques and aims for a softer environmental footprint through the use of natural fibres and dyes.
Other handicraft outlets for village-weaving projects include Kukwan Gallery ( Click here), Sop Moei Arts ( Click here), Thai Tribal Crafts ( Click here) and the Hill-Tribe Products Promotion Centre ( Click here).
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Suriyam Chandra ( Map; 0 5322 7480; www.suriyanchandra.com; Soi 1, Th Nimmanhaemin) The artist of the same name has crafted cute terracotta figurines of full-figured Thai ladies, in the tradition of Colombian artist Fernando Botero.
Aka ( Map; 0 5389 4425; www.aka-aka.com; Soi 1, Th Nimmanhaemin) Thai furniture and decorative arts designer Eakrit Pradissuwana has created a contemporary look for modern Asia-philes. The furniture is slick and minimalist but distinctively ‘Eastern’ in character.
Chabaa ( Map; www.atchabaa.com; Nimman Promenade, 14/32 Th Nimmanhaemin) If Putumayo put out clothes instead of music, you’d have Chabaa, which specialises in global ethno-chic. You’ll find brightly coloured embroidered tops and skirts plus big-statement jewellery.
Ginger ( Map; 0 5321 5635; 6/21 Th Nimmanhaemin) For something more night-on-the-townish, check out the shimmery dresses, sparkly mules, fabulous jewellery and colourful accessories. Not cheap though; the 3rd-floor is the sale room.
GETTING THERE & AWAY
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Air
Regularly scheduled flights arrive into and depart from Chiang Mai International Airport ( Map; 0 5327 0222), which is 3km south of the centre of the old city. Unless otherwise noted the following airlines use the Suvarnabhumi Airport for travel from and to Bangkok.
Air Asia (0 2515 9999; www.airasia.com) Flies to Bangkok (1660B, six daily) and Kuala Lumpur (from 4000B, one daily).
Bangkok Airways (0 2265 5556; www.bangkokair.com) Flies to Bangkok (3400B; two daily) and continues to Samui (7300B).
China Airlines (0 5320 1268; www.china-airlines.com) Flies to Taipei (12,000B, two per week).
Lao Airlines (0 5322 3401; www.laoairlines.com) Flies to Vientiane (8400B, two daily) and Luang Prabang (5600B, one daily).
Nok Air (1318; www.nokair.com) Flies to Bangkok Don Muang (2440B, four to five daily); note that Nok Air is a subsidiary of THAI; it also operates a code-share flight from Chiang Mai to Pai (660B, one daily) and Mae Hong Son (1090B, one daily) with SGA.
One-Two-Go (1141, ext 1126; www.fly12go.com) Flies to Bangkok’s Don Muang (1950B, three daily).
Siam GA (SGA; 0 5328 0444; www.sga.co.th) Flies to Pai (660B, one daily) and Mae Hong Son (1090B, one daily); these are code-share flights with Nok Air.
Silk Air (0 5390 4985; www.silkair.com) Flies to Singapore (16,000B, one daily).
Thai Airways International (THAI; 0 5321 1044/7; www.thaiair.com) Flies to Bangkok (1700B); there