Food at Chiang Mai is an indigenous tradition that has been enriched by Arab, Indian, Malay and Chinese influence. Despite being infused with the cooking styles of other cultures, people of Chiang Mai love simple plain rice as it is the main staple for them. They would feel that they have not eaten if they did not eat rice. They even have various food dishes like desserts made out of rice. Like the sweet sticky rice with mango below.
They love also spicy food which is similar to the Thais in Thailand.
At the table the bulk of a meal consists of rice, which Thais flavor by taking small helpings from the central dishes. They use central serving spoons to serve the small portions onto their own plates, from which they eat. Serving themselves from one dish at a time, Thais usually finish each small portion before returning to a different dish for another; thus the full flavor of each dish may be savored in an equable atmosphere. In times of past hardships, this natural manner of sharing food also allowed a small amount of spicy flavoring to go a long way with plain rice.
Disneyization is seen here when the Lanna Tai culture is infused with the culture of other countries. It brings about a global similarity yet distinct in their own way. For example, the style of cooking becomes special when there is a mix.
However to cater to the tourists, Chiang Mai food is sold at food stalls near the Night Bazaar and Sompet Market. These two markets have English menus and there is dedifferentiation of consumption seen here as while Chiang Mai is marketed as a tourist destination. The tourists also have to eat as it is essential for living and the prices of food sold at such markets are usually marked up. Tourists spend obsessively as these food and commodities are unusually seen in their own country.
Transportation
There are various forms of transportation such as rental cars, tuk tuks, trains, songthaew (passenger pick up vehicles for big groups), samlors (rickshaws), bus, bikes and motorbikes.
However getting around Chiang Mai won't be too easy a task as the roads are now congested due to more and more Tuk Tuk cars on the road. And taxis are scarce in Chiang Mai. Therefore a tuk tuk ride is essential for really experiencing Thailand and Chiang Mai, which also a part of this theming.
This differentiates transportation in Thailand/Chiang Mai from other countries or cities as the sides of the car are not enclosed like a rickshaw except that it is motorised, providing a different experience. It sets Thailand apart from other countries which has taxis for transportation.
References:
http://www.chiangmai1.com/chiang_mai/food_in_chiang_mai.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Mai_Province#Local_Food
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