The small district of Pasang in Lamphun is known for two things; beautiful women and beautiful textiles. Its women have won numerous pageants on regional as well as national levels over the years and its cotton weaving industry is one of the most robust in Thailand, in fact the province claims Pasang’s population of 55,000 produces the largest amount of hand woven cotton products in the nation. This cluster of villages takes great pride in these two accolades and have turned a small cottage industry into not only a formidable source of income, but also a unique tourist attraction.

This city has become a food destination, not just because of the incredible number of restaurants, but the sheer quality, originality and character of so many. Check some out.

Need to get away? Fancy a homey country nest, a resplendent luxurious villa or rustic and serene hideaway…decisions, decisions.

If you love these steaming, aromatic, bite sized baskets of deliciousness – and who doesn’t – then here is a list of some of the best, most interesting or best valued dim sums to be had in town.

Governor Pawin Chamniprasert squeezed Citylife in for a 40 minute interview, hence the rather rapid Q&A format. I have also taken the liberty of combining some of our questions and answers for brevity.

“Ever since my first soda pop, I’ve been obsessed,” exclaimed 39-year-old Phattaranoppol ‘Shon’ Suwannatat, owner of the Praew Factory Bakery, as I asked him about his impressive cabinet filled with a range of almost-impossible to find soft drinks.

Each morning I slow down, lower my windows and glare at them, my disapproval palpable. I’ve been doing this for months. Coffee cup from my favourite neighbourhood café in hand, I normally listen to a podcast or the radio, singing confidently off key, as I drive to work each day. I am generally happy, though since I’m always late, there is a persistent cloud of guilt which hovers over my little car on my daily commute. But about a third of a cardboard cup of cappuccino into the commute, the fluffy grey cloud turns dark and thunderous as I succumb to my daily routine of narrow-eyed displeasure. But as far as I can see, this morning ritual has gone blithely unnoticed by the men I target my heated gaze towards. They’re busy after all.

“Nomad workshops, nomad conferences, nomad gear, nomad retreat, people giving talks to gullible people to build a following they can sell shit to.” This is how the online communities are reacting to the digital nomads in Chiang Mai. Anyone who is active in any of the many locally based Facebook groups will notice that there are an increasing number of biting and bitching posts about digital nomads. And a read of the digital nomad groups will see a community fraught with tension and accusation. You hear odd comments at a bar, read a scathing blog or two, and hear about various ‘scandals’ and accusations of con-artistry. But it is hard to put a finger on what exactly is going wrong or who is it that people dislike so much. Is it a case of one bad sheep or a herd of blind followers? We all know something is going on, but what?

Walking into Absolute Health, is like walking into the future of healthcare. The reception is elegant and calming, with views of a well-groomed garden to the back. Greeted more like a guest than a patient, you immediately feel an easing in your muscles and release a long breath as you wait for the doctor.