If you are looking to learn more about history from the comfort of your own home during this period of self-isolation, read on to find out how I got on during The Secrets of Chiang Mai virtual class. This was booked via Airbnb, and taught by Sue from her home in Thailand!
As this class is literally called The Secrets of Chiang Mai, I don’t want to give too much away, but suffice is to say that the £8.29 fee paid for the class was well worth it. A relatively short class at just 1 hour, this virtual experience flew by.
I was the only person on the call, which made it really personalised and special. We started with introductions, talking about where we were from and comparing the weather (a classic pastime for a British person taking an international video call.)
Sue began the class by teaching me about the founding of Chiang Mai in 1296.
Next, Sue began explaining a little bit about the geography and language of Chiang Mai. I was fascinated to learn about the complexity of the Thai language. Sue explained that while Thai grammar is much easier to learn, its complex syllables make it much harder for non-native speakers.
Depending on where the emphasis is placed in a word, it can mean something different. She took my surname as an example, enunciating “Mullen, Mullen,” to demonstrate that these two would hold different meanings. I found this fascinating, as language has always been something that has intrigued me.
Next, Sue went deeper into the geography of Chiang Mai, and the cultural significance therein. She explained that the residents believed different parts of the city corresponded to different parts of the body, with the sacred navel of the city being where the king’s temple resided.
She explained that there was a certain amount of superstition surrounding where to enter and exit the city; certain exits bringing good luck, others bringing misfortune. This meant that if you were seeing a friend off, you’d potentially add a great deal of time onto their journey to ensure they took the most auspicious exit!
Sue also taught me about the sartorial history of the city’s residents, showing me the intricate fabrics worn by royalty, and what the different embroidered patterns stood for.
She showed me a picture of four people dressed in four different ways, and asked me to guess which person a Lanna man would find the most distasteful if he travelled to modern times. I honestly had no idea, so guessed at a heavily tattooed lady. Sue explained that actually the person who would be considered the most distasteful would be the person with their navel showing.
She explained that the navel was thought of as sacred and so was covered up, but the arms and chest would be left bare due to the hot weather, with one shoulder covered so that things could be carried on it.
She explained that when the English came over, the king issued an order that the citizens should assume a more ‘Western’ dress sense so that the ex-pats wouldn’t be ‘shocked’ by their appearance. (Insert eye roll here.) To be an English person is to be consistently ashamed of my country's history, and this was no exception!
Another thing that Sue showed me were the sacred tattoos, applied using a very painful-sounding technique!
I also learned about ancient courting rituals, and the liberal culture that has always permeated Chiang Mai and continues to welcome in nomads today.
She explained that even in ancient times, the Lanna people believed there was more than one gender, and were always welcoming of all gender identities and sexual orientations. She explained that this was largely due to the fact that the Lanna people were invested in the idea of a soul, as opposed to gender manifesting physically in the body. I thought this was a really beautiful sentiment, and certainly one that a lot of less-accepting people in 2021 could learn from ancient Lanna culture.
After teaching me a few more fascinating facts about the ancient and modern cultures of Chiang Mai, Sue finished by telling me that a lot of so-called ‘digital nomads’ currently make their life in Chiang Mai, with its beautiful scenery making a perfect backdrop for those who want to work remotely.
She even invited me to meet up with her if I was ever in Chiang Mai, which I thought was so generous. I have never been to Chiang Mai, but I can honestly say I am absolutely dying to go now. (Of course, in a vaccinated future when it is safe to do so.)
Who knows, maybe I’ll become a digital nomad myself!
Thanks for reading!
I would just like to say thank you to Sue for sharing her knowledge with me; it was a fascinating way to spend an hour. This review is a general overview of the experience; I highly recommend taking part yourself so you can learn from Sue’s in-depth knowledge and expertise.
If you are looking to learn something new during lockdown, The Secrets of Chiang Mai is the experience for you.
