Chiang Rai Province

Chiang Rai Province is a region in Northern Thailand.

Cities

• 1 Chiang Khong - gateway to Laos
• 2 Chiang Rai - the provincial capital
• 3 Chiang Saen - historic city just south of the Golden Triangle

Other destinations

• Doi Tung — royal villas and a mountaintop temple with stunning views and (so they say) the Buddha's collarbone
• Golden Triangle — a bit of a tourist trap, but the opium museums are worth a visit
• Mae Sai — Thailand's northernmost town, day trips to Myanmar
• Mae Salong — founded by Chinese Nationalists fleeing after their defeat in the war
• Phu Chi Fa — one of the highest peaks of Northern Thailand, offering outstanding views

Understand

Populations have dwelled in Chiang Rai since the 7th century and it became the centre of the Lanna Thai Kingdom during the 13th century. The region, rich in natural resources and textiles, was occupied by the Burmese until 1786.

Chiang Rai Province’s Golden Triangle bordering Laos and Burma was once the hub of opium production which had much influence on cultural practices and lifestyles. To this day, entire clans live together in bamboo houses and each village has its own individual character.

The province is rich in natural attractions and antiquities, evidence of its past civilisations. It is also home to various hill tribes who follow fascinating ways of life. Chiang Rai is also a tourism gateway to Burma and Laos.

Geography

Chiang Rai is Thailand’s northernmost province and a beauty it is. It occupies the Kok River basin well above sea level with an area of some 11,678 square kilometres. It is about 785 km from Bangkok. Mostly mountainous, it reaches the Mekong River to the north and borders both Myanmar and Laos.

Culture

Popualtions have dwelled in Chiang Rai since the 7th century and it became the centre of the Lanna Thai Kingdom during the 13th century. The region, rich in natural resources and textiles, was occupied by the Burmese until 1786.

Chiang Saen, Mae Chan, and Doi Mae Salong are three substantially different places. Chiang Saen’s rich culture has been influenced by its collection of Buddhist scriptures and temples. It was once the provincial capital. Mae Chan’s reputation stems from its silver and tribal handicrafts. Once officially unrecognized by the Thai government, Doi Mae Salong is a Chinese KMT (Kuomintang) area renowned for its natural beauty and unique Yunnanese culture. Besides the Chinese 93rd Infantry Division of the Kuomintang Army, several other ethnic minorities have settled down in the region including the Tai Yai, Tai Lue, Tai Khoen and Tai Yuan.

People

• Akha have the largest population of any hill tribe in the region. Originating in Tibet and Southern China, they dwell on high ground, about 1,200 m above sea level. In their villages they build spirit gateways to protect themselves from evil spirits.
• Chin Hor, former Kuomintang who took refuge in the area, mainly Doi Mae Salong.
• Hmong from southern China, prefer high ground. They raise livestock and grow rice, corn, tobacco, and cabbage. They are known for their embroidery and silver.
• Karen live in the valleys and riverbanks of the region.
• Khon Muang are city folk who came to Thailand from Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, and Phrae. Culturally, they design their houses having only one floor with wooden gable-decorations called ka-lae. They are known for their craftsmanship in wood carving, weaving, lacquer ware, and musical instruments.
• Lahu came to Thailand from Yunnan and live in high areas. They are known as hunters and planters.
• Lisaw from southern China and Tibet are renowned for their colourful dress and for building their dwellings on stilts. They harvest rice and corn and are skilled hunters.
• Tai Lue live in single room wooden dwellings built on tall piers. They are skilled weavers.
• Tai Yai Burmese in origin, harvest rice, farm, raise cattle and trade. Their skills lie in weaving, pottery, wood carving, and bronze ware.
• Yao reside on mountainsides and grow corn and other crops. They are skilled blacksmiths, silversmiths, and embroiderers.

Get in

By plane

Chiang Rai (CEI ^IATA) has flights to Bangkok (both airports, multiple flights per day), Hat Yai and Phuket.

By train

The nearest train station is in Chiang Mai.

By bus

The 12-hour journey from Bangkok can be made on air conditioned coaches originating from the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) daily. Call ☏ +66 2 9362852-66, ☏ +66 2 5765599, or The Transport Company, Ltd.. Chok Rung Tawee Tour, call ☏ +66 2 9364275-6, ☏ +66 53 714045. Siam First Tour, call ☏ +66 2 9543601-4, ☏ +66 53 719064, ☏ +66 53 714386. Sombat Tour, ☏ +66 2 9362495, ☏ +66 53 714971, ☏ +66 53 715884

There are services from Chiang Rai's bus terminal to various districts in Chiang Rai. For local buses to nearby provinces, call Chiang Rai bus terminal ☏ +66 53 711224, ☏ +66 53 711154 for details.

By car

Hwy 1 (Phaholyothin Rd) is the main road in Chiang Rai Province. It passes through the areas of Phan Mae Lao, Muang, Mae Chan and Mae Sai districts. Along the highway, there are links to other districts in the province, such as Rte 108 to Mae Suai, Rte 1126 to Pa Daed, Rte 1233 to Wang Whai and Rte 1016 to Chaing Saen.

From Bangkok drive on Hwy 32 to Singburi, then take Hwy 11 to Phare, and Hwy 1103 to Chiang Rai. The route is 829 km.

Get around

By bus

There is a decent enough bus service in the province, but in more remote areas, songthaews (public passenger pick-up vehicles) are the norm.

See

Visitors to Chiang Rai can expect to see some splendid mountain and valley views, while being blessed with excellent weather which is much cooler than in the central plains.

Many visitors choose to spend some of their time in Chiang Rai visiting fascinating hill tribes such as the Akha, Lisaw, Hmong, Lahu, Karen, Mien, and Yao. Many visitors go with a certified guide, but other simply go on their own. It is possible to stay overnight with the villagers. Solo travellers not going with a guide should stay with the village headmen; a small donation is welcome.

Sadly, some opportunists exploit hill tribe people to extract money from tourists. A village just near the road between Mae Sai and Chiang Rai (it is frequented by tourist minibuses returning from the Golden Triangle) is privately-owned, and, while entrance to the village is free, visiting long-necked Karen people there costs 200 baht. Most tourists (and backpackers) have already paid this price in their tour package, thinking that 1,000 baht or more for a day trip is "cheap". The poor Burmese Karens working there for tourists get only a tiny fraction of the money. Their home, Burma (Myanmar), is one of the poorest countries of the world. It is just a tourist trap. It's better to visit a remote, but genuine, Karen village, than to help rich people make money from the poor.

When trekking off the beaten track and away from hill tribes, it is possible to sleep at any temple, but again a little donation is appreciated.

• Doi Chaang Coffee (North of Mae Suai), ☏ +1 604 689 3312. Great coffee grown and roasted in the mountains. It is organic and the farmers own 50 percent of the company. They also make the Wild Thai Civet Coffee. Next to the coffee company there is a cafe where you can order a cup of coffee and also buy a bag of coffee beans. Also try their honey. 
• Doi Nang Non (Sleeping Woman Mountain) (In Mae Chan District on the W side of the highway between Chiang Rai and Mae Sai). The silhouette of the mountain range takes the shape of a reclining woman with long hair when seen from certain angles. There is a viewpoint at Mae Chan from where the "sleeping lady" can be observed best in good weather. There are a number of caves and water courses in these karstic hills. Tum Luang and Khun Naam Nang Non, have been developed as tourist attractions. (updated May 2016)
• Doi Wawi (North of Mae Suai). Chinese community in the northern part of Thailand. Wawi is one of the biggest tea-producing areas in Thailand. You can visit the village, taste the tea and buy some tea. It is also possible to visit the tea plantation. 
• Golden Triangle (Samliam Thongkum or สามเหลี่ยมทองคำ). The point where Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet. It used to be notorious for its drug trafficking until the Royal Thai government cleaned up the area and turned into a tourist destination. (updated May 2016)
• World's Tallest Flagpole (Chiang Saen District). The Chiang Saen District is to have the world's tallest flagpole sometime in 2017. The pole will be 189 m tall, the equivalent of a 63-storey building. Its purpose is to promote Thainess and Thai identity. The flagpole will be in a park complete with a museum and a learning centre. (updated May 2016)

The Golden Triangle, where three countries meet.

Itineraries

• Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai in 3 days a 3-day tour starting from Chiang Mai and going through Doi Ang Khang, Fang, Thaton, Doi Mae Salong, Mae Sai, Golden Triangle, and finishing in Chiang Mai.

Cope

• Chiangrai Times. Chiang Rai Province's English-language newspaper.