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| >>Chiang Rai Province History<< The city was founded by King Mengrai in 1262 and became the capital of the Mengrai dynasty. Subsequently, Chiang Rai was conquered by Burma and remained under Burmese rule for several hundred years. It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became a Chiang Mai vassal. Siam (Thailand) annexed Chiang Mai in 1899, and Chiang Rai was proclaimed a province of Thailand in 1933. In 1432, during the reign of King Sam Fang Kaen of Mengrai dynasty (1402–1441), the Phra Kaeo, or Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha statue, was discovered in Chiang Rai when an earthquake split the Chedi at Wat Phra Kaeo of Chiang Rai City. 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 the 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 (Thai: สะดือเมือง), the Navel or Omphalos of the City. |
| >>Chiang Rai Province Geography<< Chiang Rai City lies in the flat alluvial plain of the Mae Kok River, a tributary of the Mekong, between the Daen Lao Range in the north and the Phi Pan Nam Range in the south. The Mae Kok River runs along Chiang Rai's north side, flowing eastwards out of Burma at Tha Ton(ท่าตอม) town, bending northeastwards and joining the Mekong River about 40 km northeast of the city. The Lao River, a tributary of the Kok, flows south of Chiang Rai. There are four bridges spanning the Mae Kok river within the town's boundaries, each running south/north. Most of the terrain surrounding Chiang Rai town is either flat or has moderate hills. The exception is outward in the west and northwest directions, where limestone hills are evident, some of which have straight-up exposed cliffs. Not surprisingly, that is also the direction where most of the region's Hill Tribe people have their villages, further afield. The city is located 860 km north of Bangkok, about 200 kilometres northeast of Chiang Mai City, 62 kilometres south of Mae Sai and the Burmese border; 60 kilometres southwest of the town of Chiang Saen on the Mekong River across from Laos; and 90 kilometres north of Phayao town. The Golden Triangle, the tripoint of the Thailand, Laos and Myanmar borders, is 55 km northeast of the city. |
| >>Chiang Rai Province Climate<< Chiang Rai has a tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen climate classification Aw). Winters are fairly dry and warm. Temperatures rise until April, which is hot with the average daily maximum at 34.9 °C (94.8 °F). The monsoon season runs from late April through October, with heavy rain and somewhat cooler temperatures during the day, although nights remain warm. |
| >>Chiang Rai Province Demographics<< Official Population count: According to the Thailand National Statistical Office, as of September 2010, Chiang Rai municipal district has a population of 199,699. With the spread of the city extending into neighboring districts, the metropolitan area is considered somewhat larger by local residents. Chiang Rai City is the capital city and business center of the Chiang Rai Province, home to 1.1 million residents. 12.5% of the population belong to the hill tribes, a collective term for the minority ethnic groups in the North of Thailand such as the Karen, Akha, Lisu, Meo, and Hmong. |
| >>Chiang Rai Province Government<< Chiang Rai City is the capital of Changwat Chiang Rai. The City Hall holds the Provincial Offices. The Thetsaban holds the Municipal Offices. |
>>Chiang Rai Province Buddhist temples<<
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| >>Chiang Rai Province Tourist attractions in or near Chiang Rai town<< Night Bazaar is a night market, located in the middle of downtown, Chiangrai. A place for souvenirs and local products, with free cultural performances. Also more than forty restaurants. Boomerang Adventure Park is 3 km NW of downtown. Shaped like a boomerang, the park has soaring limestone cliffs along its north side. Has two dozen 'top rope' rock climbing routes for all skill levels. Also has the only zip lines north of Chiang Mai, and Asia's largest swing. A ten minute stroll to the river from Boomerang Park is 'Lion Hill' which hosts a Buddha Cave and a natural cavern where hikers can walk in the south side, and out the north side of the scenic hill which parallels the Mae Kok river. Saturday Night Walking Street just north of downtown. Hundreds of local folks display their crafts and food. Includes local dance and showcase displays. |
| >>Chiang Rai Province Tourist attractions further afield, within Chiang Rai province<< Princess Mother Hall and Doi Mae Salong Located about 70 km northwest of Chiang Rai accessed by a scenic, and sometimes quite steep, road from Mae Chan. In Mae Salong there is a museum of the Kuomintang and their plight after exiled from China by Mao Zedong, and subsequently forced to leave Burma from where they entered Thailand, helping at times to fight the Communists. Doi Tung Royal Villa is the final residence of the mother of the King of Thailand, known as the Princess Mother. It is located in Doi Tung at kilometre 12 on highway 1149, to the west of highway 1. This magnificent villa was built on the mountain overlooking the surrounding hills and valleys in a unique mix of Swiss and Lanna architectural styles. Adjacent to the villa is a large flower-filled garden, and a memorial hall commemorating the Princess Mother. Doi Tung Zoo and another zoo 25 km south of town, just off of the old road to Chiang Mai. Besides a decent collection of animals, it has an entire section dedicated to birds, most of which are colorful flightless types. Phu Chi Fa The Gate of Siam is a location on the border with Laos where one can stand high up on a mountain with Laos directly in front and the mighty Mekong River flowing beneath. Saun Mai Ngam Park Many beautiful trees and flowers. Some are more than 100 years old. This is a place where Chiang Rai Flower festival is held at the end of every year. |
| >> Chiang Rai Province Education<< **Colleges and universities** Mae Fah Luang University Chiang Rai Rajabhat University Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Rai Campus **International Schools** Chiang Rai International School Chiang Rai International Christian School **High Schools** Samakkhi Witthayakhom School Damrongratsongkroh School Chiang Rai Witthayakhom School **Primary Schools** Bansonkong School Piti Suksa Montessori School Bi-Lingual school, Chiang Rai |
| >> Chiang Rai Province Hospitals<< Overbrook Hospital (Semi-Private) Easy access from city center, modern facility founded 1903 by Dr. Joseph Kampol, a missionary hospital, current president Dr. Ploum. Kasemrad Sriburin General Hospital (Private, and comparatively better quality)[citation needed] Chiang Rai Prachanukhro Hospital (Public) |
| >>Chiang Rai Province Transportation<< **By plane** Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport [1] (CEI) is located on Phaholyotin Rd 8 km from the centre of Chiang Rai. Car rental is available on arrival from several companies as well as in town. At a desk in the airport you can hire a pre-paid taxi. It costs 200 baht to the city centre and more to other places (the prices are on display). It will take you to your hotel, or the driver will find you one if you give him the price range you want to pay. The airport is served by AirAsia, Nok Air and Thai Airways to Bangkok. China Eastern Airlines offers three direct flights per week to/from Kunming China. **By bus** There are two bus stations in Chiang Rai: the old bus station and new bus station. Old Bus Station (Bus Terminal 1) is located in the centre of town. Buses coming from towns in Chiang Rai province such as Chiang Khong and Mae Sai stop here. From here you take the bus south to Phayao and Lampang. Greenbus services to and from Chiang Mai also arrive and depart from here, after stopping to drop off or pick up passengers in the New Bus station. There is enough English written on the signs and buses at the terminal to tell where the bus is going. They have a big booth with lots of windows at the bus station. Take a number and then by your ticket when called. New Bus Station (Bus Terminal 2) is 7km south of the city, just off the Super Highway. Buses from elsewhere in Thailand stop here. Greenbus services to and from Chiang Mai stop by here on the way to the Old Bus Station, or on the way to Chiang Mai after departing from the Old Bus Station. There is a songthaew (officially a "minibus") connecting the two bus terminals. It costs 15 baht per person and takes 15 minutes. Some drivers ask you to pay more if there are fewer than 10 passengers, despite what the official price list posted inside the songthaew says. You can just wait for the next one and pay 15 baht. However, said service only operates till 5pm and thereafter, tuktuks, motorcycle taxi (50 Baht) and taxicabs exist for the trip back into town. Both bus stations have plenty of tuk-tuks and songthaews outside, as well as a few metered taxis at Bus Terminal 2. **To Chiang Mai** There are three types of bus to Chiang Mai:
Air-con first and second class buses stop one time for 15 minutes during the journey which takes just over 3 hours. First class provides free water, nuts, and hand-towel. VIP buses take 3 hours. Buses operated by Greenbus depart very regularly throughout the day, take about 3 hours and 20 minutes, and tickets cost 185 baht. Green Bus buses stop at the New (Bus Terminal 2) and Old (Bus Terminal 1) Bus Stations. **To Bangkok** Three types of buses depart for Bangkok from Bus Terminal 2:
Journeys take approximately 11-12 hours. They arrive at the Mo Chit Bus Station in Bangkok. **To Mae Sai** Buses to Mae Sai on the Myanmar-Thailand border leave frequently from Bus Terminal 1, taking over an hour. Greenbus also operates vans between Chiang Rai and Mae Sai, leaving from Platform 19 in Bus Terminal 1. Services begin at 0630 and end at 1830 with departures every half hour. **To Chiang Khong** Buses to Chiang Khong, on the Laos border, leave from Bus Terminal 1 every hour or so and have the destination clearly marked. The journey takes two and a half hours and costs 70 baht. **By train** The nearest train station is at Chiang Mai. **By car** Chiang Rai is about 820 km north of Bangkok and is easily accessible from Bangkok via Hwy 1 and Hwy 32 and from Chiang Mai via Hwy 118. |
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