A happy, healthy and peaceful New Year to all, as of January 1st, and to our Chinese friends and neighbours as of January 24th!

The most inscrutable of all nations enters the Year of the Small Snake on that date, and firecrackers will sizzle and pop around the world in the myriad communities where the Chinese have put down roots - and usually thrived despite many tribulations.

Chinese expertise in healing with herbs, acupuncture and diagnosing ills by simply taking patients' pulses, is now known around the world. Broadly speaking, there is now universal acceptance of these ancient medicinal arts.

It was Chinese engineers and artisans who dug out inland waterways to make a transportation system across their vast land. Their inspiration spread west and before most industrialised nations had railways, they had canals.

It was a young Chinese labourer who took his skills in pewter making to Malaysia. What we enjoy now as some of the best giftware available world wide is called Royal Selangor.

It was talented cooks who took their recipes, often to any country in which they could find a future. What we now have is tasty and healthy Chinese cuisine, also truly world wide.

That's why it's so satisfying to look this month not only at the challenges within China as the new order interfaces with the old, but to find here in Chiangmai a 70 year old lady who is a superb example of the vastly respected Chinese work ethic, building success (in this case a great restaurant) in a benevolent host nation.

So what does the year hold for us? Much will be determined for Thailand in the imminent election. But individually, we should all prosper and be happy if we are prepared to simply follow that example.....

Our very best wishes to readers and advertisers alike - and special thanks to our friend Mike Montague for finding superb photos, including this month's front cover, on his recent visit to Chiangmai's new sister city, Shanghai.

Middle Kindgdom - New Year, New Thinking But it's all against a traditional backdrop.

Paul Webster-Hughes

Rags to Riches: A local Chinese success story Hard work pays off - and Chinese food lovers are the winners here.

Wiyada Kantarod

That's the Spirit!

David Hardy

Chiangmai and the North

My Chiangmai

David Hardy

The Drinks Page

Night Fowl

Letters

Heart to Heart

BIKE IT - BUT BEWARE

Among the dont's and do's for visitors to Chiangmai is a brand new one: don't use the newly signed 'Bicycle Only' lanes!.(...).

MISS THIPAPORN. I am 28 years old and single. I am only 155 cms tall and weigh 45kgs. I don’t smoke or drink alcohol. (...).

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