We were in Chiang Rai just in time for the launch (Aug 7) of its new Sunday walking street on Sankhong Noi Road, making this the second pedestrian shopping street after the established one on Thanalai Road, which happens every Saturday. Sankhong Happy Street (Sankhong Tanon Khon Muan) offers a walk through hundreds of local stalls, lined up for about 1km from Sankhong School to Tesaban School, featuring everything from local food and fresh ingredients to handcrafted souvenirs and student-made DIY gifts. Though items are pretty much the same as at the Saturday market, the Sankhong market is going for a more international and artsy scene, inviting several foreign communities in Chiang Rai—Japanese, Chinese and French—to come present, and sell, their traditional products. There are also more cultural performances, from traditional Lanna music to b-boy dances at almost every street corner. See details at www.facebook.com/sankhongstreet and www.sankhongstreet.com.