(CM--76c) Stall selling hand-carved wooden elephants at night bazaar, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Thai woodcarving elephant is very popular in the art of Lanna. Chiang Mai, the Lanna Empire, is the most important city of the Northern Thailand where is the gathering of local artisans and the center of invaluable handicrafts. Wooden carvings is considered one of the finest traditional handicrafts that reflect the civilized northern people’s way of life. Woodcarving items could be found in many districts of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Many old craftsmen, who worked for genuine fine arts, passed away. Furthermore, the young ones prefer to operate commercial works to afford more money for their lives. Woodcarvings of Northern Thailand. This art form in Thailand originated from the temples where religious objects such as Buddha images and pulpits were finely carved.