Between cricket matches, or if you can manage to spend some extra days in northern Thailand, you'll find the makings of a memorable holiday even if the Sixes Cup eludes your team . The city and province of Chiang Mai, or further afield Chiang Rai, The Golden Triangle and Mae Hong Son are all easily accessible and offer a marvellous mix of things to do or see. Unless you're a very jaded old Asia hand, there's an experience here for everyone...

‘When in Rome’….. Remembering  Thai Ways Can Save Embarrassment, or Worse...

• For Thais it's almost a matter of honour to extend hospitality to visitors, but they put great importance on good manners and can be offended by the lack of them.
• Enjoy the gentle warmth of this "land of smiles", but remember the smile may also be used to cover negative feelings (if you say or do something rude and the lady smiles it doesn't mean she shared the joke!)
• English is not widely spoken, and certainly not fluently. So patience and good humour helps.
• Body language is quickly noted, and showing anger should be avoided. If you're truly annoyed, play it cool, even smile if you can, it’s probably a misunderstanding anyway.
• Never touch the head of an adult or pass things over someone's head. And don't use your feet to point at things.
• The Thai Royal Family is very highly respected. Even likenesses of the King of Thailand including money, should be treated with respect. So too of course the Lord Buddha and Buddha images.
• Remove your shoes when entering temples, people's houses and even some offices. You'll usually get a warning from the pile of shoes already outside the door.
• Dress is almost always informal. However you'll notice that Thai people tend to dress fairly neatly. Brief clothing is frowned upon. Shorts, sleeveless vests, bikini tops and such are a no-no for palace or temple visits, and not very good for anywhere else except open countryside, swimming pool, beach or Cricket Sixes.

Between cricket matches, or if you can manage to spend some extra days in northern Thailand, you'll find the makings of a memorable holiday even if the Sixes Cup eludes your team . The city and province of Chiang Mai, or further afield Chiang Rai, The Golden Triangle and Mae Hong Son are all easily accessible and offer a marvellous mix of things to do or see. Unless you're a very jaded old Asia hand, there's an experience here for everyone...

Chiang Mai Is Great For Shopping

v You might enjoy a wander around one of the city's airconditioned shopping malls. The one on Huay Kaew Road called Kad Suan Kaew is probably closest. Central Airport Plaza (near the airport) is now the biggest and trendiest. Looking for clothes? There's a good 'Export Shop' at Airport Plaza that has factory rejects of well known label clothes (Gap, Eddie Bauer, Colombia etc) - the sizes are for western export markets and prices are low on clothing that would cost a lot more at home. Get pants, shirts, suits made to measure with Frank at Fashion King at their new location at Galare Food Center - one of our sponsors this year (see below).

v Everyone goes to the Night Bazaar on Changklan Road at least once, and it's certainly worth a visit for crafts, souvenirs, clothing, and much more (it gets going around 6.00 p.m.).

v But why not also try one of the real local markets. The biggest is Warorot Market, a short walk from Thapae Road on Wicha Yanon Road (it's also side on to the River on Charoen Prathet Road). It is interesting to go very early in the morning and see the fresh goods, fruit and veg, herbs& spices , meat and fish etc.

v Chiang Mai is an excellent place to buy silk, cotton, silverware, wood carvings, ceramics, lacquerware, and other handicrafts. The list of shops is too long to mention but runs from colourful, fairly low priced souvenirs up to expensive fine quality art. A trip along the Chiang Mai- San Kampaeng Road (Route 1006) will bring you to many factories and shops selling all the main handicrafts, they line the road on both sides much of the way down. Also if you head out towards Hang Dong (past the Airport) the wood crafts 'village' of Baan Tawai has a huge variety of wooden products. All sorts of eating and drinking alternatives for lunch, dinner and after hours.

Support the Sixes Sponsors

Our sponsors are the group that provides the Sixes the highest level of support. You can find their logos on the cover of the magazine, but we would like to give them another heartfelt THANK YOU. Our sponsors are (in alphabetical order):

• Chiangmai Mail for a cash sponsorship
• Coca Cola for providing our soft drinks
• ESC for a cash sponsorship
• Fashion King (in Galare Center) for providing the numbered vests for all the teams.
• Bullion Express for a cash sponsorship of the Sixes Boundary bar.
• San Miguel Beer for providing their beer products
• Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) for a cash sponsorship

Support the Sixes Hotel Advertisers

The Sixes is pleased to have the support of three local hotels, and we commend these hotels to our teams and supporters:

• This is the first year of advertising for the Central Duangtawan Hotel and they are very welcome. Some teams will be staying at the hotel, and the hotel will be the site of Farewell Dinner April 7th. (See ad P.43).
• The Galare Guest House is a great place to stay also - a favourite with those great judges, our Umpires over many years (See ad P.74).
• Pornping Tower Hotel's Nimanoradee Restaurant is a great place for a good steak after the match. You can enjoy their other establishments - Bubbles Disco, Hot Shot, and the Blue Bat Bar. Everyone knows the Pornping but see ad on Inside Back Cover if you need details. Our opening cocktail party is hosted at the Pornping Hotel, and the hotel is also participating in the Pub Crawl.

Support the Sixes Food and Drink Advertisers

Chiang Mai has a large selection of drinking establishments and restaurants that provide most types of local and international foods. There is a wide range of choice among the Sixes' supporting advertisers (they support us, so please try to support them!) and there is a list of our advertisers in alphabetical order:

• Foxy Lady an exciting night spot on Thapae Rd Soi 1 (behind night bazaar), now in its fourth year and very popular with cricketers. Dan Foxman, the non-cricketing American owner, gets better and better on videotaping Sixes games & screening them at Foxy Lady in the evenings. Friendly bar staff too... see Dan's ad P.33.
• Linda's Bar is a returning Sixes supporter , and we welcome them again this year. Located at 5 Loi Kroa Road. Owners Khun Nit and Udo (Swiss/ German) are very friendly and have been lively supporters of the Sixes. Friendly distraction - the staff. See ad on P.35.
• The Ralph Fitch Pub and Restaurant is located right next to the Pornping Hotel (out the front door and turn left).. This is their first year with the Sixes, so welcome Ralph Fitch. Owner Matthew has darts, pool, internet, food and drinks ready for all. See their ad on P.55.
• Owner Kevin at the Red Lion has the best of British pub fare food-wise, just off the Night Bazaar (top end Loi Kroh Rd). Dragon, Weissbier, and cold & creamy draft KILKENNY are the featured brews. See Kevin's ad P.39.
• Riverside Bar & Restaurant, run by Pascal, is a favourite with locals and visitors alike, in a pleasant riverside setting. There's live music to go with Thai or western food and drinks. (See banner ads at cricket ground).
• Rose Restaurant at the Rose Guest House became a keen Sixes supporter last year - run by 'Gipsy' (who has some good tales of his days as road manager in the pop world). Many Sixers will remember Gipsy’s former restaurant The Grillstation. Again this year The Rose Restaurant is one of our official caterers at the cricket ground, and once again he will offer his great ham sandwiches, sausages, and more. See Gipsy's ad on P.41.
• Royal India on Charoen Prathet Rd has an extensive menu of really delicious Indian and vegetarian foods - tandoori, curries, etc. (Suppliers of our vegetarian alternative on Pig Picking night and a caterer at the cricket grounds). Owned and operated by brothers Ravi and Shami Kumar. Ad on P.55.
• The Spotlight Bar still claims to have the best distractions of any bar in town TV, Pool, and some of the loveliest ladies in the north. Owner Horst is a veteran Sixes advertiser and Spotlight still a popular team hang out. (Kotchasarn Rd). See Horst's ad P.25.
• Sugar Shack run by Khun Oy is open-air and open late for drinks, food and entertainment close by the Pornping Hotel. A popular Sixes hangout on Charoen Prathet Road. See ad P. 59.
• The Thai Country Bar on Charoen Prathet Road is close by the Pornping Hotel. The friendly staff and owner Dao will provide a real Chiang Mai welcome. More details in their ad on P.61.
• The Duke’s, is a well-known Chiang Mai establishment and a returning Sixes advertiser. Owned and operated by Dave. Near the TAT office, opposite side of the river from Pornping. A great place to eat. You will sample some of his cooking at the Pig Picking - be sure to try the beef stew. See Dave’s ad on P.39.
• The Olde Bell is a new supporter this year, but owner Pedr is excited about the Sixes. They are also located on Loi Kroa Road about 200 meters in from the moat. They have a large variety of everything: food, beers, wine, but they feature many British favourites. See their ad on P.41.
• Khun Ay and the ladies at the Thirsty Beaver (you know it well as formerly Bunny Club) on Loi Kroh Road ,close to Charoen Prathet, have been hot Sixes' ( Awali Taverners ) supporters in recent years. Er.. we assume the enthusiastic bunnies have become eager beavers (?) -- on duty until late serving up drinks, music, pool , TV and fun. See ad P.27.
• Tuskers is a new advertisers and pub crawl participant this year. Owner Charles loves cricket and, when a late cancellation appeared, he entered the Stuffed Beavers team in the Spoon. His bar and grill has a indoor and outdoor seating, a pool table, a small but tasty menu, and more than enough drink choices to fill a pub crawl receipt. See Charles’ ad on P.37.
• The U.N. Irish Pub and Restaurant, is just what you'd expect, friendly and laid-back. Although there aren't so many genuine Irishmen around the place, Aussie host Sandy Cullen (captain of Irish Pub's Gang Green team) certainly has the right touch in friendly hospitality (on Ratchawitee Road). See Sandy's ad P.71.
• Close by the Pornping and as they say "two blocks from the night bazaar", is Khun Awn's White Lotus Restaurant - you can get breakfast there all day (!), and an excellent selection of Thai and Western favourites. Awn also 'manages' the Sawasdee Cricket coaching team. And she has the 'Cricketer's Bar' right next door. See Awn's Ad on P.21.

Support the Sixes Other Advertisers

• Associated Thai Tobacco is another of the Sixes' veteran supporters (Ad on P.60), and we thank them for their support through the years.
• Burley-Sekem is a distributor of Dukes Cricket Balls, and they have generously donated cricket balls to the Sixes and the Sawasdee tournaments. They are the official ball supplier for all ACST cricket sixes events. Thank you and welcome to the Chiangmai Sixes! (See ad P.57).
• The Sixes "official" coffee is from Boncafe, who provide us with supplies of their aromatic brew. Not in the pub crawl this year, but still serving a good drop of coffee at Boncafe Bistro next to the night bazaar on Changklan Road. See ad on P.84.
• This is the first year for the Chiang Mai Children’s Cricket Foundation. Yes, they are legally and formally chartered as a Thai foundation, which means that donations to the foundation are now TAX DEDUCTIBLE. If your tax bill is too high, reduce your tax bill with a donation to the cricket foundation. See their ad on the inside front cover for more information.
• In Bangkok, perhaps on the way home, call in and say hello at the Crown Royal (Patpong 2). Izzie, the owner and staff of lovely ladies have been original, long time Sixes supporters for ever. (See ad P.9)
• ESC (European Security Concepts) is a new sponsor from Pattaya this year, and we sincerely welcome their support for the Sixes. The newly-resurgent Chiangmai Mail newspaper is also a sponsor this year, and these two fine organizations have a joint ad on the back page of the magazine. Thank you to ESC and the Chiangmai Mail!
• Another repeat supporter in the financial services field is MBMG who have now linked up with international real estate experts, Hamptons, to form MBMG - Hamptons (Ad on P.23).
• Also in the food biz (retail) - especially known for imported meat and our longtime official caterer is Northern Farm Products (NFP) with a shop on Huay Kaew Road and an ad on P.12.
• Everyone at the bar will already know that this year San Miguel Beer has graciously become our official beer supplier. Part of their support is a donation of beer to help defray the entry fee for the all-Thai team, Thai Thevada, and its many young cricketers from the Chiang Mai area. (See the San Miguel ad P.63).
• For tour information around Chiang Mai you can talk with your team minibus guide. OR, contact Khun Somboon at Somboon Tours , located just outside the Pornping and who are in fact the Sixes minibus supplier. Your minibus & guide's team duties are only to take you between your hotel and the Gymkhana Club, that is all that is paid for in your Sixes entry fee. Please take note Somboon is a Sixes supporter and offers tours to many different areas outside the city at very reasonable rates. For a safe sight seeing trip use Somboon Tours. There's a price list for tour services available - ask your guide. See ad on P.10.
• Another new advertiser from Pattaya is www.thaivillas.co.uk, a Wales-based renter of vacation villas in Pattaya. They have graciously offered to donate 10% of any rental to the children’s cricket, so Sixers should be sure to mention their ad on P.53 when making enquiries or reservations.
• V Pack & Move, who will indeed pack and ship or transport just about anything (see ad on P.13).
  

Some Useful Numbers For Visitors:

• TAT (Tourist Authority) # 053-248-604 
• Thai Airways # 053-211-044
• Tourist Police # 1699 or 053- 248- 130 and 053-248-974
• Chiang Mai Ram 2 Hospital # 053-852-590-6  
• Emergency Help # 191
• Chiengmai Gymkhana Club # 053-241-035