Chiang Rai city is the capital of Chiang Rai Province, Thailand’s most northern province, about 785km (491mi) from Bangkok and at an average elevation of 580m (1,900ft) above sea level. Its area, mostly mountains, is 11,678sqkm (4,508sqmi) and divided into 12 districts and 1 sub-district. The most important river is the Mae Kok which is about 130km (81mi) long and flows through Chiang Rai city.
Chiang Rai was founded in 1262 by King Mengrai (see Chiang Mai). At the end of the 13th century, for around 30 years, Chiang Rai was the capital of the Lannatai Kingdom. Later the city was conquered by Burma and remained under Burmese rule for several hundred years.
It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became Thai territory. It was proclaimed a province during the reign of King Rama VI in 1910. Chiang Rai is famous for its tasty lychees and the Golden Triangle in Chiang Saen district where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Burma converge.
Places of Interest
Monument of King Mengrai
This monument is on the road to Mae Chan, Chiang Saen and Mae Sai, just outside the city of Chiang Rai.
King Mengrai’s Ku
Ashes and relics of King Mengrai are housed in this Stupa (Chedi) within Wat Ngam Muang on Ngam Muang Hill in Chiang Rai city.
Wat Phrasingh
Legend holds that an important Theravada image was once located here. The Wat has been restored too many times to allow accurate dating; documents suggest that it was built in the 15th century or earlier.
Wat Phra Kaeo
Wat Phra Kaeo behind Wat Phrasingh is believed to have been the original site of the Emerald Buddha which is now in Bangkok at the Royal temple of the same name.
Phrathat Doi Tung
The structure atop Doi Tung, with an elevation of 2,000m (6,562ft) the highest mountain in Chiang Rai Province, is a reliquary that draws devout Buddhists from Thailand, Laos and Burma. One gets to the shrine by a tortuous mountain road, which winds its way up and down mountain sides for 40km (25mi). A beautiful Royal residence has been being built there for the Princess Mother.
Phrathat Doi Chom Thong
This pagoda is on Chom Thong Hill on the bank of the Mae Kok River near the city of Chiang Rai.
Pu Kaeng Waterfall
This waterfall, 9km (6mi) west of Pu Kaeng village near Phau, is the largest in Chiang Rai Province. It has a strong cascade all year round.
Suan Doi Oop
Various plants and flowers of many different species make this a scenic place. The private resort, along Chiang Rai - Mae Chan Highway around 18km (11mi) from the city, has an area of over 16 hectares (40 acres). Reservations for accommodations under Bkk Tel 252-3618, 252-8523.
Hill tribes
Many tribes live around Chiang Rai, Mae Chan, Mae Sai and along the Kok River including Yao, Akha, the Blue and White Maeo, Lisu, Lahu, Lahu Shi, Skaw and Karen. Each group speaks its own language, follows animist customs based on a belief in spirits as well as more recently adopted religious beliefs.
Rafting
The Mae Kok River, 130km (81mi) long, running through the heart of Chiang Rai Province, is said to be one of the most beautiful and unspoiled rivers of the world. It flows gently along jungle banks and towering mountain cliffs. On its route lie several hill tribe settlements. There are regular well-organized rafting trips to and from Chiang Rai to many interesting destinations along the river. A popular tour is rafting from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, or vice versa.
Transportation
Bangkok - Chiang Rai
Thai Airways has 2 and on some days 3 direct flights daily from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. The first departure is usually near noon, the second in the mid-afternoon. If there is a third flight it’s likely to depart from Bangkok in the morning. While departure times might change every 6 months, the changes are likely to be minimal while the frequency is basically maintained. Flight time is 1:25hr. There are more daily connections if one doesn’t mind to go via Chiang Mai (see below). The price of a one-way ticket is 1855 Baht.
Several private bus companies operate coaches between Bangkok and Chiang Rai. Among them are:
Karuhat, near Indra Hotel, Tel 252-1483
Thai Transport, Tel 412-5038
Thavorn Farm, Tel 279-5850
Kitti Tour, Tel 278-4532
Setthi Tour, Tel 278-5660
Chiang Rai - Bangkok
Thai Airways has two to three direct flights daily from Chiang Rai to Bangkok. Departures are around noon and in the late afternoon. There are additional possibilities for those who don’t mind changing planes in Chiang Mai (see below). Flight time is around 1:20hr. The price of a one-way ticket is 1855 Baht.
By Boat
A combined bus and boat trip to Chiang Rai can be made by taking a local bus from Chiang Mai to Tha Ton which takes approximately 3 hours, and continuing on a long-tail boat along Mae Kok River (4-6 hours). Boat fare is 160 Baht per person or 1,600 per boat.
Provincial Flights
Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai
Thai Airways has one to three direct flights daily from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. The first departure is in the morning, the second and third usually in the early afternoon. Flight time is around 40min.
Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai
Thai Airways has two to three direct flights daily from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai. Departures are in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Flight time is around 40min.
Mae Chan
Mae Chan is a town in Chiang Rai Province, some 35km (22mi) north of Chiang Rai, about half way between Chiang Rai and Mae Sai. The town is a trading post for the Akha and Yao hill people who sell their goods and buy manufactured items. One can find silver ornaments and other tribal handicrafts at the shops of this town.
Mae Salong
Mae Salong, a small town in Chiang Rai Province, some 80km (50mi) northeast of Chiang Rai city can be reached via Mae Chan. What makes this little town different from others in northern Thailand is its Chinese populace. The inhabitants are mostly the families of Chinese Kuomintang soldiers who fled from the communists in 1949, first to Burma. They were driven out of Burma in 1961 and then settled on Doi Mae Salong (Mae Salong Mountain), just some 7km (4.4mi) from the Burmese border. Architecture as well as cuisine are Southern Chinese, and in spite of the fact that the place has become a popular tourist destination, it has kept its own distinct appearance.
Mae Sai
Mae Sai is a boarder town in Chiang Rai Province, some 65km (41mi) north of Chiang Rai. As Mae Sai is just at the border to Burma, Burmese goods, especially handicrafts, can be purchased at good prices. Thais and Burmese can cross the border officially during daytime. Actually, many Burmese work in Mae Sai. The border river is just about 30cm (1ft) deep and many foreign visitors who stay at one of the guest houses along the river cross it for a few minutes so they can rightfully claim that they have been to Burma. As of December 1991, those who don’t have Thai or Burmese nationality cannot cross the border legally. However, in 1991 a hotel was being built in Tachilek on the Burmese side of the border, and it can be expected that the border will be opened to foreigners soon, even if the military junta remains in power in Burma.
Transportation
Bangkok - Mae Sai
Buses from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal on Phahonyothin Road; 906km, non-aircon 169 Baht, 15:00, 17:05; aircon 305 Baht, 8:00, 19:00, 19;15, 19;30, 19:45, 19:55; VIP 445 Baht, 7:30, 19:00, 19:30
Chiang Saen
Chiang Saen is a town in Chiang Rai Province, some 75km (47mi) northeast of Chiang Rai, on the bank of the Mekong River, right at the Laotian and close to the Burmese border - on the Thai side it is the community closest to the Golden Triangle in the narrowest sense of the designation. Its lovely setting on the Mekong enhances the charm of its old temples, Wat Pa Sak and Wat Phrathat Chom Kitti, as well as the Chiang Saen Museum.
Places of Interest
Chiang Saen Museum
The museum has ancient Buddha images and other antiques. It is open to visitors every day except Tuesdays and Fridays.
Golden Triangle
This is the most famous attraction of Chiang Rai Province, the place where the borders of the three countries Thailand, Laos and Burma meet. The meeting of the borders is just some 9km (6mi) north of Chiang Saen. "Golden Triangle" is just an approximate geographical term, not as specific as Ko Samui Island where it is obvious that the seashore defines the geographical entity. Travel agencies in Chiang Rai Province vigorously claim that the Golden Triangle is just the area within sight of the convergence of the borders; obviously they want to sell their services and bank on the desire of visitors to really have been at the place with the magical name Golden Triangle - the countryside itself doesn’t differ from normal northern Thai countryside and would not be enough to draw tourists in as large numbers as it actually does.
International usage, however, considers a much larger area as Golden Triangle - principally a region not of just a few hectares at the actual border convergence but of a few thousand square kilometers in the territories of Thailand, Burma and Laos. This encompasses the whole region traditionally producing opium as its main cash crop - and obviously, opium is not just grown within a few hectares of the meeting point of the borders, an area where opium actually is unlikely to be found these days as it is just too prominent, visited by too many tourists.
The Golden Triangle in the narrower and the wider sense has been cleverly marketed as a tourist destination during the last few years, with utter disregard for ambiguities. On the one hand, the Thai government of course regards drugs and anything that has to do with them as illegal and immoral and regularly conducts poppy eradication campaigns. On the other hand, the tourism planners’ promotion of the Golden Triangle as a tourist destination relies heavily on the reputation of the Golden Triangle as an opium growing region.
Tourists who love to see themselves as adventurers would love nothing better than to be brought directly to poppy fields. Later they could claim to have traveled the world indeed, to have been there, at the infamous Golden Triangle and to have seen personally those poppy fields that are the menace of the world - and they could bathe themselves in the prestige of a traveler and adventurer.
But without poppies no tourists. And therefore, while Thai law enforcement agencies claim that the opium problem basically has been solved on Thai territory, tourism promoters subtly suggest that indeed, Thai Golden Triangle territory is the world’s main source of opium.
The Golden Triangle already is amazingly touristy. If one still wants to consider it an adventure area, than it must be seen as a thrill without a risk - enjoyable in armchair comfort: luxury accommodation is available within sight of the convergence of the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos and tourism has become an important economic aspect in quite a number of hill tribe villages.
Chiang Khong
Chiang Khong is in Chiang Rai Province, some 80km (50mi) northeast of Chiang Rai.
Phan
Phan is a town in Chiang Rai Province, some 50km (31mi) south of Chiang Rai.
Wiang Pa Pao
A town in Chiang Rai Province, Wiang Pa Pao, is some 75km (47mi) southwest of Chiang Rai, approximately half way between the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.