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Gallery: Chiang Mai's laidback street style

Far from trend-conscious Bangkok, residents in Thailand's notoriously carefree north pose for the camera and share what it is they love about their city By Cattleya Jaruthavee 25 February, 2011 Select ratingPoorOkayGoodGreatAwesome PoorOkayGoodGreatAwesome

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Chiang Mai might be Thailand's second-biggest city but it's about as far from trend-conscious, shopping-mall-mad Bangkok as one can get.

Adored for its laid back pace of life and friendly locals, Chiang Mai attracts thousands of Bangkokians every cool season -- December to February -- with its mountainous breezes, delicious northern cuisine and thriving arts scene.

• More on CNNGo: Wild Bangkok street tattoos (gallery)
  

We hit the streets for a look at what styles the locals are rocking and to ask them what is it that keeps them in Chiang Mai.

Fang 24, Peter 27: "The chilled pace of life."

Jantong, 76: "I was born here."

Maprang, 22: "I came to study, but ended up staying."

Gig, 20: "The city's got great vibes and people are kind."

Yui, 32: "I love everything about Chiang Mai."

Amp, 36: "It's relaxing."

Noi, 54: "Chiang Mai is rich in culture."

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ON PAGE 2: Click "NEXT" to see more of Chiang Mai's laidback street style

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Read more: Gallery: Chiang Mai's laidback street style | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com...n#ixzz1F2XD9ZnW

This makes no sense to me. If it is so laid back why do I have to click on a lot of different web sites to find out.

I live in Chiang Mai and am well aware of how laid back it can be. But that does not mean I could not live in Bangkok and have just as laid back a life style.

Not knowing much about Bangkok I am not aware of all the different community I am sure some of them are just as laid back as Chiang Mai. I do know about the busier sections and they for sure are not laid back. But I in no way think all of Bangkok is that way. What is laid back is that life on Kasan road in Bangkok or Loi Kroh here in Chiang Mai.

Life is what you make it.

I think it's a fashion article.

I think it's a fashion article.

It is and IMHO a shytoneat that. http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/visit/gallery-chiang-mai-street-style-227663?hpt=Sbin

And of course it world headquarters for The Church Of The Latter Day Dude:

http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/life/doctrine-chiang-mais-church-latter-day-dude-explained-206793

It may seem laid back until someone tries to run you down in a zebra crossing.

It may seem laid back until someone tries to run you down in a zebra crossing.

Or maybe you just don't understand how Thais drive.

It may seem laid back until someone tries to run you down in a zebra crossing.

When will people learn Zebra crossings are not the same as they are in your home country. Here they are just the area they use to put the left over paint from the line marking , they don't mean anything.

And of course it world headquarters for The Church Of The Latter Day Dude:

http://www.cnngo.com...xplained-206793

<br />

<br />I think it's a fashion article.<br />

<br /><br /><br />It is and IMHO a shytoneat that.                <a href='http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/visit/gallery-chiang-mai-street-style-227663?hpt=Sbin' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://www.cnngo.com...227663?hpt=Sbin</a><br />

<br /><br /><br />

As TAT (AND thaivisa with the intro to this section) continues to perpetrate the age old fallacy, it behoves me to set the record straight. Not that anyone gives a dam.

Chiang Mai is NOT and never has been Thailand's 2nd largest city. It is around 4th or 5th largest.

It is Chiang Mai PROVINCE which is the 2nd largest PROVINCE in this realm.

Korat, also known as Nakhon Rachasima, is Thailand's 2nd largest city by far.

Thank goodness that facts mean nothing around here..............

Ends mini-rant.