Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI is a city in upper Northern Thailand and also the capital of the mountainous province with the same name, which borders Bokeo Province of Laos and Shan State of Myanmar (Burma). It is the northernmost province of the country. The city itself has a population of approx. 70000, compare to the approx. 1,3 Million for the whole province. The ethnic composition includes a good percentage of hill tribes and Myanmar exiles. Chiang Rai City is located 850 km north of Bangkok, resp. 180 km northeast of Chiang Mai and lies on the flat plain of the Kok River, a tributary of the mighty Mekong. The Kok River runs along Chiang Rai's north side, flowing out from Myanmar to Thaton in Chiang Mai Province, then eastwards to Chiang Rai and later joins the Mekong River. Wat Phra Kaew is a royal temple that once housed the jade Emerald Buddha and now displays a replica. Nearby, the Navel City Pillar is a monument made of more than 100 Khmer-style pillars. The city is gradually developing its tourist sector, beginning with its own Night Bazaar,  Saturday Walking Street and other attractions. Founded in 1262 as the capital of the Mengrai Dynasty, after Chiang Saen, today the city retains a strong Lanna identity. Chiang Rai City remains a sleepy provincial town with a pleasant atmosphere and a bit more relaxed and down-to-earth feel than its siter town Chiang Mai. Despite its relatively small population, Chiang Rai has respected universities and other civic facilities. It is an excellent base for exploring the region. Chiang Rai Province is part of the Golden Triangle region bordering Laos and Myanmar (Burma). It is filled with the atmosphere of a complex mountain range and valuable Lanna Culture. It’s distinguished by its remote hill tribes who live in mountainous terrain, some of them accessible only by trekking. An area which prior to the rise of agricultural production of coffee, pineapple, coconuts, banana plantations etc. was unsafe because of the drug smuggling across the borders.

HISTORY. The city was founded by King Mengrai in 1262 and became the capital of the Mangrai Dynasty. He reigned until 1296, then founded Chiang Mai and moved there. After that, Phaya Chaisongkhram, son of Mengrai ruled until Chiang Rai later has depended on Chiang Mai. Later in 1548 Chiang Rai was conquered by Burma , who established aristocracy to rule the city. Lanna became an area of power struggle between Siam and Burma. Later it became an abandoned city. It remained under Burmese rule until 1786 when Chiang Rai became a Chiang Mai vassal. In 1843, King Rama III ordered the King of Chiang Mai to restore Chiang Rai again. Many years later, Siam (Thailand) annexed Chiang Mai in 1899, and Chiang Rai was proclaimed a province of Siam in 1910 and finally 1932 a province of Thailand, after being part of the Lanna Kingdom for centuries. In 1432, during the reign of King Sam Fang Kaen of the Mengrai Dynasty (1402-1441), the Phra Kaeo, or Emerld Buddha, the most revered Buddha statue was discovered in Chiang Rai when an earthquake split the chedi at Wat Phra Kaeo. The beautiful jade figure was then seen concealed within. Another telling of the story has the Emerald Buddha hastily covered in mud just before marauders entered to pillage. Many years later, the clunky-looking mud Buddha was found to actually house a magnificent jade statue, perhaps by way of the earthquake mentioned above, which caused a piece of the clay to break off, revealing the jade beneath. In 1992, the city pillar was moved from Wat Klang Wiang to Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong, where it is known as Sadue Mueang, the navel of the city.

GETTING THERE. Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport is  located about 8 km north from the city center. Various airlines, such as Thai Airways, Thai Smile, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, Nok Air, Lion Air, Thai Vietjet etc. offer domestic flights, most of them from/to Bangkok, as well as a few other destinations in the south. The airport has international flight facilities and serves also a few flights from/to Chinese cities.    Car rental at the airport is available on arrival from several companies as well as in town. There is a new public bus serving the Airport-Downtown route. Route 1 runs from Bangkok through Chiang Rai to Mae Sai on the Myanmar border. It is served by various companies with comfortable air-con. buses and the ride does take approx. 13 hours for the 850 km from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. There is an extensive bus service from Chiang Rai to/from Chiang Mai. And it takes a bit more than 3 hours for the 180 km. And there is scheduled service by longtail boots on the Kok River between Chiang Rai and Thaton in Chiang Mai Province. This journey will last about 3–4 hours. It is a scenic trip and pleasant alternative to the direct transfer on the road. (it is possible to spend a night in Thaton, before continue on the road to the northern capital Chiang Mai, which takes another 3 hours). Chiang Rai is essentially a service city for the surrounding provinces and destinations inside the province itself. Beside Bangkok and Chiang Mai, bus services are offered to the provinces of Phayao, Nan, Phrae and Lampang, as well as to Mae Sai, Golden Triangle, Chiang Saen, Chiang Khong etc. inside Chiang Rai Province.  Public transport in the city consisting mainly of tuk-tuks and Songtaews (a truck-based vehicle with a pair of bench seats in the back), plus a smaller number of taxis. Chiang Rai has also got a few cyclo-rickshaws (samlor).

ATTRACTIONS. Chiang Rai City and its surrounding is the place of some splendid colorful temples. Most popular sight is still Wat Rong Khun (white temple), which stands out with exquisite architecture and is located a few km south of downtown. Wat Rong Suea Ten (blue temple) is another jewel in the northern part of the city. Ban Dam (Black House) is located about 10 km north of the city and a collection of black wooden buildings featuring works of art. Wat Huay Pla Kang is a Buddhist religious site with a big white stature of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy and 9-floor pagoda with 12 surrounding structures. It is situated north across the Kok River about 10 km from downtown Chiang Rai. The King Mengrai the Great Memorial and the Clock Tower are two landmarks in downtown Chiang Rai. To fully appreciate the beauty of the Mae Kok River, which flows through the city, it is best to hire a long-tail boat and take in the scenery along the two riverbanks. Elsewhere in the province about 30 km to the southwest of downtown is Khun Korn Waterfall & Forest Park. Something for the more active people. From the parking area it is a 30-minute walk on a jungle trail to the waterfall and chance to take a bath there. Enjoy the shady natural surroundings suitable for relaxation and nature walks. Most attractions of this province are located in the northern part. 60 km north of Chiang Rai City is Mae Sai, the bustling market town right at the Myanmar border. On route some scenic side trips in to the mountain wilderness of the Golden Triangle area can be done, for example to Doi Maesalong. On the mountain top you will find a Chinese Kuomingtan village with enchanting sceneries, tea plantations and tea houses. The area is also scattered with many hill tribe villages (Akha, Yao, Lisu etc.). A bit further north from Doi Maesalong is Doi Tung, another well-known mountain and famous with Thai tourists. Here as well the populations consists various groups of hill tribes and about half of them are in coffee farming. You can take a walk around the botanical park at Mae Fa Luang Garden in front of Doi Tung Palace, Wat Phra That Doi Tung on top of the hill is another major sight. From Mae Sai heading east for about 30 km you will arrive at the so-called Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. The location here itself has become a very commercialized place and we would recommend just a quick photo stop. But if we talk about the whole part of the Golden Triangle area here in the upper north of Thailand it is a different story and there are still many places of interests to explore. Just 12 km east from the Golden Triangle is Chiang Saen, the former royal town on the banks of the Mekong. Some historic temples and ruins can be seen here. From Chiang Saen it is another 60 km going east on a scenic route to Chiang Khong, a major border crossing to Laos and starting point for river cruises down the Mekong to the former Laotian royal town of Luang Prabang. About festivals. Beside the nationwide festivals like Songkran (April) and Loy Krathong (November) Chiang Rai does also celebrate some local festivals, for example the Flower Festival (December/January), the King Mengrai Festival (January/February) or the Lychee Festival in May.