International Vegetarian Union (IVU)
33rd World Vegetarian Congress Chiang Mai, Thailand, January 4 - 10, 1999 'Vegetarianism is the Way' an unforgettable visual, cultural and gastronomic experience

English - Español - Hrvatski - Italiano - Româna - Thai The elephant hospital in Lampang Amazing Thai fruit In the year of His Majesty King Bhumibol's 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary, the Thai Vegetarian Union (TVU) and the International Vegetarian Union (IVU) extend a warm invitation to everyone to attend this unique international event. Welcome statements from the Pre-Congress Press Conference in Chiang Mai The Congress Venue is the Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel - details and pictures from the hotel brochure. English is the official language of the congress, but simultaneous translation will be provided for a minimum of 30 participants from each other language. English is understood in business circles and in tourist areas. Chiang Mai, the ancient capital of Lanna Thai (Kingdom of One Million Rice Fields), the first independent Thai Kingdom in the fabled Golden Triangle, is the second largest city of modern Thailand. All meals served during the congress will be free of animal ingredients. A delicious variety of pure vegetarian food will be provided, both Thai and international cuisine, consisting of fresh pesticide-free fruits and vegetables from local organic farms. Talks, seminars and workshops will be followed by a programme of entertainment in the evenings. A number of excursions and city tours, during and after the congress, are also planned, including a visit to the magnificent Doi Suthep Temple, overlooking the city, and the local handicraft village of Bo-Sang, the Orchid and Organic Farms, Queen Sirikit National Botanical Park, Maerim and Mong Hill Museum and Village. How to get there: International travellers may arrive in Chiang Mai by direct flight or via one of several daily domestic flights from Bangkok airport. Return flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai cost under $100, but a through fare may be available from your home country. Coaches and trains are cheaper, but may take more than 10 hours. Optional tours can be arranged in Bangkok or Chiang Mai for people arriving in Thailand on Sunday January 3rd. Fees for the Congress, Accommodation, Tours and the Booking Form You can now download all the congress info in Adobe Acrobat format for easy printing and further distribution. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions - or just want to talk to others about the congress - use the Veg Organizations Discussion Board   Congress information by email: to get the latest information about all, World and Regional Vegetarian Congresses sent to you direct by email as it becomes available: ivu-online-news (this is not a discussion list and you will not get junk mail, just one email per month about IVU World and Regional Congresses plus other IVU news). Further information about Chiang Mai Thaifocus - travel agency based in Chiang Mai - the manager is a member of IVU and actively involved with elephant conservation. Tourism Authority of Thailand : Chiang Mai (Chiangmai) The Congress is organised by the Thai Vegetarian Union and the International Vegetarian Union. Enquiries to: thai99@ivu.org More links to vegetarianism in Thailand, from the Global Directory. The last world congress: Pittsburgh, USA, 1996 World Vegetarian Congress Venues since 1908 Some Thai phrases you might find useful, especially if you stay on after the congress