Once every year, at the end of the winter season, the city holds an annual Flower Festival. This three-day event is not to be missed, draws thousands of visitors into the city and is a major attraction. The beautiful Chiang Mai Flower Parade is the largest component of the festival and what a superb experience it is!
Where & When
Each year, the Flower Parade takes place in February, on the Saturday of the three-day event. It begins at the Narawat Bridge and ends in Old Town at Nong Buak Haad Park. I was lucky enough to be in Chiang Mai at the same time last year, so this is my second viewing.
The parade is long, spread out and takes a full two hours from start to finish. The most crowded area to stand is along Tha Phae Road under the decorative trellises that line this street. Walk virtually anywhere else along the route past the Tha Phae Gate, and you will have space to breath and move around.
Floats
There are various components to this parade such as marching bands, cultural associations, school groups, business organizations and of course…floats! There can be up to 20 large floats interspersed among all of the other entertainers.
These large floats are in competition with each other, for they will be judged to see which one wins the very best of the parade. Now in the cool season, flowers are in bloom, so it’s the perfect time of year to showcase their exquisite beauty. These floats are absolutely drenched in flowers!
Close Encounters
Its mind boggling, once you are able to get up close, see the detail, and imagine the time it has taken to create these huge masterpieces. From dragon scales made of sesame seeds and corn kernels, to lanterns made of folded palm fronds.
Birds and flowers carved from watermelons, carrots and yams, to seeds and nuts turned into the heads of snakes. Just wow!
Flowers
There are millions of blossoms and petals too. Full of vibrant colours, bursting with fresh scent, dancing on their delicate stems as the floats move past the throngs of onlookers.
On board the floats are dancers, kings and queens of the festival and cultural performers adding moving components to each expertly designed float.
Marching Bands
Another thing I love about this parade are the marching bands. This was an unexpected surprise the first time I saw these musicians. I had no idea there were such a thing in Thailand.
How amazing to hear the trumpets spurting, drums thumping and horns blaring all in unison. These children are incredible and the groups are really large too. When they pass by, the air is vibrating with their music.
Cultural Groups
My favourite part of the parade are the cultural groups. I adore seeing these beautiful people walk past, each with the sweetest smile across their face. The costumes that they share with us the viewers are such a joy to see. Brightly coloured and embroidered fabrics, dancing head pieces, glittery jewels and of course flowers.
The tuktuk drivers pulling carts over flowing with blossoms and children on board is such a sweet sight. And old cars, a nostalgic element bringing in thoughts of times past.
Thai Parades
I have had the pleasure of seeing a number of parades in Thailand now. They were a little bit of a shock when I experienced my first few. Its common for the public to go right into the parade and stand next to a performer for a photo op! Its also common for the throngs of people to slowly close in and suffocate the parade. I experienced this last year. The floral floats were being smashed against the onlookers as they passed by, myself included.
This year, I walked along beside the parade, beginning at the gate and following it around the moat to the park. A much better experience, with room to wander and enjoy. Visitors will be delighted, amazed and entertained by the vast array of sights here in Chiang Mai, at the Flower Parade.
