Chiang Rai is Thailand's most overlooked city and province. It offers a variety of attractions, beautiful natural surroundings, nice people and a mild climate.
We are pleased to give you an impression of this magnificent province.
This website gives you information about Chiang Rai Province and Chiang Rai City.
Thailand has 76 provinces from which Chiang Rai is the most northern province. Chiang Rai covers an area of 11678 square kilometres, devided in 18 districts and 124 sub-districts. Chiang Rai is 785 kilometres north of the country's capital city Bangkok.
Chiang Rai is home to ,129,701 people, from which about 300 000 live in Chiang Rai city. The majority of the population is Thai. 12,5% of the population are Hill Tribes.
The province borders Myanmar on the North, and Laos on the north and northeast. It is also known as a gateway to Myanmar, Laos and China.
The province has an interesting past and its pure nature makes Chiang Rai popular for its pleasant, relaxing atmosphere and its rich cultural diversity. Chiang Rai is famous for its tasty lychees, The Golden Triangle, 47 waterfalls and 12 National Parks. It is also home to a several of the Thailands oldest civilisations. These Hill Tribes maintain fascinating lifestyles.
Chiang Rai has a tropical monsoon climate with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius throughout the year and it has 3 seasons;
Summer: February till Mid-May, average temperature is about 28 degrees Celsius. The highest temperature is 45 degrees Celsius.
Rainy Season: May till Mid-October, average temperature is about 23 degrees Celsius. The highest temperature is 36 degrees Celsius. The average rain throughout the year is about 1,639 millimeters.
Winter: October till Mid-February, average temperature is about 14 degrees Celsius and the lowest temperature is 8 degrees Celsius. But it can also get freezing cold up in the mountains.
Chiang Rai City or Chiang Rai Municipality (CRM)
CRM is settled on a plateau between many mountains. The area is pan-shaped and follows the curves of the main rivers (Maekok and Maekorn)
Chiang Rai City is home to 62,000 persons. It's a city with village characteristics and has all necessary facilities. There are schools & universities, hospitals & clinics, shops & markets, highways and airports and many more.
CRM has good communications & transportation systems joined with the nearby provinces and districts. The important (Royal) Highways are;
- Highway No.1 or Asia Road (A-1), uses 4 lanes from Chiang Rai to Bangkok.
This road is 829 Kilometers.
- Highway No.118 from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai and is 182 Kilometers.
- Highway No.110 from Chiang Rai pass Mae Chan to Mae Sai, is 62 Kilometers.
- Provincial Highway No. 1020 from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong.
- Provincial Highway No. 1232 from Chiang Rai to Wiang Chai.
There are 2 airports in Chiang Rai. One is used for government services and by the Air Force and the one is the International Airport.
There are 2 main rivers that flow through CR province.
The Maekhong (The greater Khong river) flows from China through Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and ends at the Maekhong Delta in Vietnam. It is the International transportation route for trading and important travel.
And there is the Maekok (Kok river) which is a travel route by water between the 2 provinces Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. It flows from Fang in the Chiang Mai province through Chiang Rai city and goes up into the greater MaeKhong at Chiang Saen in the Chiang Rai Province.
Chiang Rai Province is an ancient province and has contacted friendship agreements with the bordering countries Burma (Myanmar) and Laos for long time. This is why you can easily find mixed cultures, traditions and languages from Thai, Laos and Birma (Myanmar). Chiang Rai is proud of its traditional cultural identity that can still be found in Chiang Saen. People of Chiang Rai are also proud of their heritage The Lanna Kingdom, with its rich cultural history.
These facts are provided by the Chiang Rai Municipality.
The CRM office is located at Uttarakit Road 59, Wiang Sub-District, Muang District, Chiang Rai Province. The CRM was founded on 25 March 1935 with an area of 1.2 square kilometers. On 25 September 1995 the municipality area was expanded again for the 4th time and covers a total area of 60.85 square kilometers.
The 18 districts that Chiang Rai is devided in are:
1. Muang Chiang Rai (City)
2. Wiang Chai
3. Chiang Khong
4. Thoeng
5. Phan
6. Pa daet
7. Mae Chan
8. Chiang Saen
9. Mae Sai
10. Mae Suai
11. Wiang Pa Pao
12. Phaya Mengrai
13. Wiang Kaem
14. Khun Tan
15. Mae Fah Luang
16. Mae Lao
17. Wiang Chiang Rung
18. Doi Luang
There are good expectations for investments for the future, since there will be good things happening arround here. There are a lot of companies opening and investing in this province. Also Her Higness Crown Princess will move into her grandmothers Royal Palace.
These photos give you a good impression of the pureness of the Chiang Rai Province. Click on the play button and enjoy.
Check out these businesses in Chiang Rai for the best addresses to stay, to eat, to go and to do, during your visit to Chiang Rai.
