Susan Spano of the Los Angeles Times writes that Chiang Mai has joined the likes of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and South Beach in Miami as an unlikely place that has become "a global center for cool contemporary architecture and design."  Spano chronicles the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, the new Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, the Chedi Hotel, River View Lodge, the Chiang Mai City Arts and Culture Center, and the Ketkaram Temple.
Los Angeles Times