Cee Jay

Cee Jay

Founder and writer of heritasian.com, a website dedicated to historical travel and heritage. My background includes a diverse range of experiences, from hospitality and sales to writing and editing. Living in Chiang Mai, Thailand for the past 20 years. My mixed British and Straits Chinese heritage, has shaped my understanding of culture and history, which informs my writing.

Colonial Heritage Hotels in South East Asia

Elegant veranda of a Colonial Heritage Hotel in South East Asia, with arched doorways and lush garden views.

Discover Southeast Asia’s colonial heritage hotels, from Singapore’s Raffles to Hanoi’s Metropole. These "living museums" blend European elegance with tropical architecture, preserving stories of literary giants, wartime resilience, and the region's complex journey toward independence.

Flower Festival Chiang Mai: The Rose of the North Awakens

Flower festival Chiang Mai float with women in traditional dress amidst vibrant yellow and purple flowers.

Held every February, the Chiang Mai Flower Festival celebrates the "Rose of the North" with vibrant parades of floral floats and Lanna cultural displays. This three-day event showcases northern Thailand's unique horticulture, traditional craftsmanship, and deep-rooted regional pride.

A Guide to Central Thai Cuisine Heritage

Stack of golden pancakes with blueberries and syrup, perfect for breakfast recipes.

Central Thai cuisine is a refined balance of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy, rooted in the royal courts of Ayutthaya and Bangkok. Shaped by centuries of trade, it features iconic dishes like Tom Yum Gung and Green Curry, emphasizing communal dining and fresh, aromatic ingredients.

The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok History

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok: Historic hotel on the Chao Phraya River with boats and vintage cars.

Founded in 1876, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is Thailand’s first luxury hotel and a global icon of hospitality. Known as "La Grande Dame," it has hosted royalty and literary legends like Somerset Maugham, blending its historic Authors' Wing with world-class "Oriental Service" on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.

The Heritasian.com Story

Aerial view of Chiang Mai from an airplane window. Mountains in the background.

Heritasian.com, created by Cee Jay, explores Southeast Asia’s architectural and cultural heritage. Drawing from twenty years in Thailand and a mixed Straits Chinese background, the site moves beyond travel clichés to uncover the region’s deep, historical stories.