Chiang Mai: Chinese New Year in Chiang Mai is lively. Chinese tourists come down. Shops are almost full. People rent Thai clothes to wear and take pictures at Tha Pae Gate, a landmark of Chiang Mai.
According to Thai News Agency, Chinese tourists flocked to rent Thai clothing at a Chiang Mai Thai clothing store on Samran Road, Soi 1, behind Wat Phra Singh in downtown Chiang Mai, so much so that the store was almost bursting with space. Most came in tour groups of 30-60 people, filling the store so that they could choose Thai clothing to wear. The store has thousands of clothing for rent. Each tour group fills the store. The tour guide said that Chinese tourists usually visit Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, and take pictures of the Tha Phae Gate.
The owner of a Thai dress shop in Chiang Mai said that this year’s Chinese New Year, there were more Chinese tourists, mostly Taiwanese tourists. Previously, they traveled on their own and now use tour companies for convenience and safety. There were no fewer than 20 Thai dress rental shops in Chiang Mai, spread out in the city center. This has resulted in an increase in customers of 100-200 per day for this year’s Chinese New Year. They rent sarongs, shirts, sashes, accessories, and hair pins for 3 hours and charge 500 baht. Men’s clothes are also available at the same price. Some people rent clothes for their whole family, or for men, women, and children.
The shop also offers photography services for a flat rate of 2,500 baht. Some customers also have their hair and makeup done for them. Most tourists who dress in Thai costumes go to take pictures with flocks of pigeons and the old city walls of Khuang Pra Tha Pae, a landmark of Chiang Mai, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh. Money flows in a lot.