Chiang Mai province urges villagers to wear indigenous costumes during Songkran festival

CHIANG MAI, 12 April 2016 (NNT) — Chiang Mai province has launched a cultural promotion campaign during Songkran festival by inviting local villagers to wear indigenous costumes and use native dialects on daily basis as part of celebrations for the northern province's 720th anniversary.

Chiang Mai provincial governor Pavin Chamniprasat disclosed that the cultural promotion campaign will be held from April 13-15, 2016 when a large number of tourists, both Thai and foreign, are expected to visit the province.

Chiang Mai province will celebrate its 720th anniversary on April 12, 2016 and throughout the year to express the local people's unique identity, way of life and beautiful culture during Songkran festival.

-- NNT 2016-04-12

...don't refrain from photos, but remember to tip generously.

So it's boobs out then?

Which indigenous costumes? Not Lisu/Lahu/Akha surely?

Independence for Lanna??

So it's boobs out then?

I would take it to mean pre- European influence so yes.... #boobsout.

A good idea, in my opinion. I really like to see the costumes and hope the Lanna language and script endures.

Yes, I think those colourful Lanna outfits coupled with a high pressure hose and a pick up with an oil drum of iced, coloured water would make an excellent snapshot of true Thai culture.

Meanwhile they can't have their Thai citizenship and ID cards.

But they look nice dressed up.

Dang, I was sure I'd find a link for the whole story that might give some examples, but after looking carefully I couldn't find one. Still I tried the link to the gov't news service to be sure, but it just went to their home page. Oh well.

Is this the type of costume they'd be encouraged to wear in Chiang Mai? If so, I don't think those bare shoulders will meet the government's prudence standards. Also, are women still allowed to show that much leg? This is what's typically shown when searching " Thai indigenous costume".

This is what I see for " Chiang Mai indigenous costume"

Now that's more like it -- nicely covered almost everywhere.

^^

Try searching for historical photographs.

They're a bit different to the modern dress-up images you found and posted.

One of the problems with Thai culture and tradition, is that it was all rewritten in the 1930s to reflect the Victorian tastes of General Phibun. Most of the real Thai history books are banned in Thailand too. Essentially there is no Thai culture and tradition, just a series of fairy tales made up by a succession of post WW1 Thai Generals and their hiso sycophants.

Immi @ Promenada was wearing flower shirts on Tuesday. Magnum PI would have been jealous