From Maesa Elephant Camp where we watched the nicest Elephant Show, we drove to the below Shinawatra Thai Silk Showroom in Sankampaeng, Chiang Mai.

Owned by former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Shinawatra Thai Silk was established in 1929 & it’s the oldest hand-woven silk factory in Thailand.

Maps of Shinawatra Thai Silk :

Shinawatra Thai Silk Pamphlet :

Well, upon entering the Lanna style Shinawatra Thai Silk, we’re first each given the following Shinawatra Thai Silk Flower Bud Pin as a welcome gesture by a Thai lady who helps us to pin on our clothings, & then we’re served refreshing cooling homemade Thai Tea such as Lemon Grass Tea etc, & Longan Tea, which we all chose to have.

Then we’re led into Shinawatra Thai Silk where we can watch the Thai Silk making process from which of course I start to run as far away as possible cos of my fear for “animals” - the Silkworms of course!!! 

Haha!! Anyway, there’re many high quality & exquisitively designed silk products inside Shinawatra Thai Silk :

My brother bought a handsome Thai silk shirt & Mom bought a very lovely Thai silk blouse which I chose for her, but I forgot to take photos of them to show you :((

And well, above is my very lovely Wedding Bride Plastic Bags Holder for my favourite homely kitchen - heheh she’s even wearing Gold earrings & her Gold Wedding Ring heheh!

We soon left Shinawatra Thai Silk & come to The World’s Biggest Jewelry Store here in Chiang Mai, the 1st Jewelry Store in Thailand to have received the International ISO 9002 & ISO 9001 : 2000 certifications :

Occupying a 2 acres site & opened since 1993, this Chiang Mai branch Gems Gallery emphasizes jewelries produced by local craftsmen & in particular, the use of the best genuine Jade, reflecting the Northern Thai Lanna style & culture.

We’re received with the warmest hospitality & Thai greetings of “Sawasde” by many colorful Thai-style dressed sales ladies at the main entrance of the Gems Gallery. And inside the Gems Gallery, we’re treated to refreshing “Welcome Drinks” in the comfort of a very well-furnished Guest Lounge.

As photograpy is not allowed once we step inside the Gems Gallery, I can but only show you my copy of The World’s Biggest Jewelry Store’s exquisite Booklet :

The Centre of the Asian Gem Universe, Thailand is blessed with natural resources, & from its Gem Mines come the Precious Stones recognised internationally for their quality.

And from the crystal clear water of the Andaman Sea in the South of Thailand come the beautiful Pearls.

Below are beautiful Thai Post Cards which I took from inside the Guest Lounge of the Gems Gallery for a small donation : 

Bathing Elephants of Chiang Mai Post Card : 

Hilltribe Girls from Northern Chiang Mai of Thailand Post Card :

The very famous Doi Suthep Temple of Chiang Mai Post Card - my hubby Dear & I had visited this beautiful Golden Temple last Dec when we were here in Chiang Mai :

Here below we’ve just arrived at a Thai Handicraft Souvenirs Boutique after leaving the Gems Gallery :

And outside the Thai Handicraft Souvenirs Boutique is another much smaller Thai Souvenirs Shop :

And I bought the following Thai Cutleries & Table Mats Set :

I really like the 6 small beautiful Elephant saucers - haha I’ve fallen in love with the Thai elephants ever since my hubby Dear & I took our 1st Elephant Jungle Trekking tour here in the North of Thailand last Dec!!

From visiting the Thai Souvenirs Shops, we drove on to the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai cos our Thai friend wana show us the luxury beauty of this most stunning 5-star Thai Palace-style Resort :

Map of Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai :

We’re now looking at the Resort Shopping Village (or Kad Dhara) from the main Resort Entrance where our car is parked :

And below is the Main Gate to the Oriental Mandarin Dhara Dhevi guest rooms’ areas :

Set in a 60 acres of natural landscapes with serene paddy fields & exotic plantations, the Oriental Mandarin Dhara Dhevi has guest Suites, Villas & Residences costing up to 120000 bahts per night!!

However, cos the Oriental Mandarin Dhara Dhevi is too big a Resort to tour around considering we’ve so little time before our appointed dinner, we can only walk quickly around the Resort Shopping Village & the Ceremonial Lawn (or Khuang Khong Khao) & their nearby surroundings.

And I’ve put my photos taken while walking these areas in the following Slideshow, but please pardon me cos the photos turned out not too clear :((

I’ve also included here the website URL of Oriental Mandarin Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai where you can read & see more of the most magnificent luxury Resort in this beautiful Northern region of Thailand -http://www.mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai/ - Enjoy!!