Chiang Rai Info...

Chiang Rai province covers some 11,678 square kilometers with a population of 1.23 million. The average elevation is 580 meters above sea level, Myanmar borders on the north, and Laos on the north and northeast. The provincial capital is 829 kilometers north of Bangkok.

Chiang Rai was founded in 1262 by King Meng Rai and was the first capital of Lanna Thai (Kingdom of a Million Rice fields). The province contains Thailand's northernmost point at Mae Sai which is well known for its crisp mountain scenery, and Hilltribes. North Chiang Rai falls within the region known as the Golden Triangle, the area where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge. Accommodation is available and and many reflect the typical Lanna Thai style architecture.

Today, Chiang Rai is a travelers paradise endowed with abundant natural tourist attractions and antiquities; the province itself is evidence of past civilization. Attractions range from magnificent mountain scenery, ruins of ancient settlements, historic sites, Buddhist shrines and ethnic villages as the province is also home to several hill tribes who maintain fascinating lifestyles. For those interested in the natural side of Chiang Rai, jungle trekking is recommended along various trails.

Chiang Rai which tends to be a little more ’laid back’ now competes with Chiang Mai as a tourist attraction and is fast becoming a popular escape for tourists wanting to get away from the troubles they left behind.

Chiang Rai City Mueang Chiang Rai (เมืองเชียงราย) Is the capital district of Chiang Rai Province It is very appreciated by visitors for its laid back atmosphere and cooler climate. The main attractions are : Wat Phra Kaew (วัดพระแก้ว) once housed Thailand's most revered Buddha image, the Emerald Buddha. The statue had been moved by various state rulers to be placed in their respective capitals as a symbol of dominance, including Lampang, Chiang Rai and Vientiane before finally enshrined in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaew during the reign of King Rama I of the Rattanakosin period. Wat Rong Khun is the art related Buddhist attraction in Chiang Rai. It was built by the design and the art genius of a Thai artist, Arjarn Chalermchai Kositpipat. With his dedication to Lanna style of art, his works relating to the Buddhist art are recognized by the people around the world. The temple is well known for its decorations with white tone decorated reflected mirrors. The provincial town (amphoe muang) has a few live music pubs and discotheques. Aimed at foreign tourists, there is traditional music in the Night Bazaar with plenty of small tea and coffee shops. Golden Triangle (สามเหลี่ยมทองคำ)

Mae Suai (แม่สรวย)

Is a district in the western part of Chiang Rai Province. Neighboring districts are (from the northeast clockwise) Mueang Chiang Rai, Mae Lao, Phan, Wiang Pa Pao, Phrao Chai Prakan, Fang, Mae Ai of Chiang Mai Province. A true natural resort area in Chiang Rai Province. One can relax and unwind amidst tropical and botanical garden or explore nearby natural attraction such as :

Doi Chang : one of the largest coffee grown community in Thailand. It is also known for being the agricultural research center in Chiang Rai. A perfect spot for sightseeing, along the way uphill, there will be series of coffee plantations, macadamia, and all kinds of seasonal fruits, which these products will be distributed throughout the country.

Doi Wawi : a long-established Chinese community in the Northern part of Thailand. Tea drinking has become an important part of the culture, and the process of planting tea is a must do ritual passing on generations to generations. Manual Tea picking can be observed widely. Visiting Doi Wawi is a chance to learn about the lifestyles of different traditional tribes.

Mae Chan (แม่จัน)

Is a district in the northern part of Chiang Rai Province The district was created as the successor of Mueang Chiang Saen. The original center of the Mueang later became part of the minor district Chiang Saen Luang, so in 1939 this minor district was renamed to Chiang Saen, while the district Chiang Saen itself was renamed to Mae Chan.

The District is mainly consisting of verdant forests and hilly sceneries. It is located between Chiang Rai city, Mae Sai and Doi Mae Salong. There are still ruins of antiquity to be discovered that offer glimpses of the beauty and magnificence of the 800-year old Lanna civilization that time forgot. Most popular in the area though are the numerous shops selling fabric made in the ancient art of traditional weaving.

Mae Fa Luang (แม่ฟ้าหลวง)

Is a district in the northern part of Chiang Rai Province. Nestled between Mae Chan, Mae Sai and The Union of Myanmar, Mae Fah Luang is mainly known for its Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park (Rai Mae Fah Luang) which is located at Pa Ngiw Village, about 5 kilometers from the city center. The garden is a park cum museum preserving Lanna cultural objects, under supervision of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation.

As well Doi Tung (ดอยตุง) is a revered mountain which includes the Doi Tung Palace and the Mae Fa Luang Flower Garden. The Wat Phra That Doi Tung Holy Relic, an old religious site on top of the mountain, is about 2,000 metres above sea level.

Not to be missed is Buatong Ban or Blooming Mexican Sunflower Festival (งานเทศกาลดอกบัวตองบาน) which takes place in November, allowing people the opportunity to see the sunflower fields in full bloom, and enjoy waterfalls and mist at Ban Hua Mae Kham, Amphoe Mae Fa Luang.

Chiang Saen (เชียงแสน) Is a district in the northern part of Chiang Rai Province. The town of Chiang Saen is quite small, located next to the Mekong river and close to the famous "Golden Triangle" border area with Myanmar and Laos. Traces of old double fortification walls and many other antiquities still remain in and outside the district town, as remnants of the former glory of the city. The attractions include Chiang Saen National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติเชียงแสน), Wat Phra That Chedi Luang (วัดพระธาตุเจดีย์หลวง) and Wat Pa Sak (วัดป่าสัก).

Songkran Festival and Boat Races of Mueang Chiang Saen (งานประเพณีสงกรานต์ และแข่งเรือเมืองเชียงแสน) is held during 13-18 April of each year. In this festival, there is a parade, water bathing ceremony of the Phrachao Lanthong Buddha image, boat races and folk performances.

Mae Sai (อำเภอแม่สาย) Mae Sai is the northernmost district of Chiang Rai Province. Mae Sai is a center of jade trading and if you are interested you can visit some of the workshops to see the jade in its raw state and the methods that are used to process it. As well it is a major border crossing between Thailand and Myanmar, which Asian Highway Network AH2 (Thailand Route 1 or Phahonyothin Road) crossing the Mae Sai River to the town Tachileik in Myanmar.

One-day passes for non-Burmese nationals are issued at Burma customs in Tachileik, passports are kept and a temporary travel permit is issued which is exchanged for your passport upon crossing back into Thailand. Every day, a steady stream of commuters crosses the bridge that marks the borders and Thai consumer goods into Northern Burma.

It is a matter of just 2 minutes but in these 2 minutes you enter an entirely different world. The atmosphere is remarkably different from the one in Thailand. Hire a Burmese rickshaw driver to take you around Tachilek and inspect the temples and markets. There are lots of shops that offer Burmese specialties like longyis (sarong-like skirts), Cheroots (Burmese cigars) or lacquer ware.

Golden Triangle (สามเหลี่ยมทองคำ)

The Golden Triangle is one of Asia's two main illicit opium-producing areas. It is an area of around 350,000 square kilometers that overlaps the mountains of four countries of Southeast Asia: Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand.

The Golden Triangle also designates the confluence of the Ruak River and the Mekong river, since the term has been appropriated by the Thai tourist industry to describe the nearby junction of Thailand, Laos, and Burma. A very active commercial area with plenty of river traffic and merchants from Yunan Province in China.

Songkran Festival and Boat Races of Mueang Chiang Saen (งานประเพณีสงกรานต์และแข่งเรือเมืองเชียงแสน) is held during 13-18 April of each year. In this festival, there is a parade, water bathing ceremony of the Phrachao Lanthong Buddha image, boat races and folk performances.

District : Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai | Mae Chan | Chiang Khong | Chiang Saen
Mae Fah Luang | Mae Sai | Phan | Thoeng | Wiang Chiang Rung | Wiang Kaen | Wiang Pa Pao