Chiang Rai Facts
- Location: Northernmost of Thailand
- Dialing Code: 0066-54
- Zip Code: 57000
- Best Time for Travel: from November to February
Chiang Rai is the northern border of Thailand. It is now the northernmost capital of Thailand, bordering Myanmar to the northwest and Laos to the northeast, about 785 kilometers from Bangkok. Chiang Rai Province covers an area of 11,678 square kilometers, and the government is located in Chiang Rai. Located in the center of Chiang Rai Basin, it is a distribution center for rice, tea, fruits, and wood in northern Thailand.
Tree-lined and beautiful, Chiang Rai is a quiet and simple town. Rustic mountain villages, the romantic Mekong River, and the mysterious Golden Triangle together form the main scene of Chiang Rai. Because it is closed to the Golden Triangle and it is also a base of mountain expeditions, this place has gradually developed in the past 10 years. In addition to restaurants and shopping places for foreign tourists, new hotels are everywhere. There are also a lot of travel agencies that offer tours to mountain tribes for various lengths.
History of Chiang Rai
In 1262, King Meng Lai built a city in Chiang Rai, and the name of Chiang Rai was also derived from him. Chiang Rai was the capital of the Rangna Kingdom in the 13th century. At that time, the Rangna Kingdom flourished. This can be seen from the regular layout of the city. From 1262 to 1296, Chiang Rai became the first capital of the Rangna Thai Kingdom (and later moved its capital to Chiang Mai). In 1786, Chiang Rai officially became Thai territory. In 1910, the government was established in Chiang Rai, and Chiang Rai became a government.
Historically, Chiang Rai used to be Thailand's largest producer of opium. In the 20th century, the border area was widely planted with poppies, and it was the base of opium production, which gave the area a title of "Golden Triangle". Until the 1970s, the Thai government implemented a policy in northern Thailand, counseling local ethnic minorities to replace poppy cultivation with fruits, vegetables, handicrafts, and other industries, coupled with vigorous anti-drug measures to crack down on drug dealers. In the late 1990s period, the Thai government promoted tourism in Chiang Rai, and the "Golden Triangle" in Chiang Rai gradually became a place related to tourism in northern Thailand.
Climate & Weather
Unlike the humid climate in Bangkok, the climate of Chiang Rai is relatively dry and cool. The average annual temperature is about 24.6℃, and about 35℃ in summer. In winter, due to the cold air from the south, the temperature drops slightly to 12.8℃.
It is the cool season from November to February, with the lowest temperature. It is no much rain, and it is cool pleasantly.
March to May is the hot season, with the highest temperatures and drought. It's especially hot in late May.
The rainy season is from June to September, the temperature is slightly lower than the hot season, and the rain is abundant.
Therefore, it is recommended to travel to Chiang Rai from November to February.
Dressing Guide
If you traveled from March to September, you could have the summer dress. Please bring sun protection tools and a thin shirt. From January to February, pay attention to the temperature difference after entering the mountain area and bring a jacket or fleece with you. Have rain gear when you go in the rainy season.
Blue Temple
Transportation
►How to Get to Chiang Rai
By Flight
There is an airport in Chiang Rai, which is Chiang Rai International Airport. There are budget flights every day from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, so flying is a good way to save time and budget.
By Long-distance Bus
Green Bus offers multiple round trips between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai every day. It takes 3 hours and rest for 15 minutes on the way.
Ticket Price: 186 baht for first-class seat, 144 baht for second-class seat, 360 baht for VIP.
►Local Transportation
Tuk-tuk
Tuk-tuk and double-bark cars are the main transportation of small cities in Thailand, and Chiang Rai is no exception. This is a very convenient transportation, beckon, and stop. The price is generally around 50 baht.
Double Trolley (Songthaew)
Double Trolley is a very convenient transportation in Chiang Rai city. Divided into two types of vehicles, one is similar to a bus, the route will be marked on the body, 15 baht per person; the other is private, unlimited routes, but generally more expensive, suitable for a chartered car for multiple people, and the price is around 150 baht per vehicle. Please do talk about the price before getting on the bus.
Car Rental
Some well-known attractions, such as the White Temple, are located outside the city. So it's better to rent a car. There are some shops to rent bicycles and motorcycles in the city. The price of bicycles is about 80 baht, and the price of motorcycles is about 150 baht. Of course, the price is different from different models.
Tourism
A few years ago, Chiang Rai was not well known as a sleeping town. The history here can be traced back to a long time before the capital was established. Historians believe that this is the earliest inhabitant in Thailand. Maybe compared to the sister city of Chiang Mai, this is just a stop, but there are also a lot of monuments, places of interest, and national culture waiting for you to discover.
Best Places to Visit in Chiang Rai
►Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)
The White Temple was built in 1997. Its real name is Bailong Temple, also called Longkun Temple. It's designed and built by the famous Thai designer Chakermchai Kosipipat.
From a distance, the temple seems to be built of porcelain, only to find that the illusion is caused by white paint and glass sequins. The temple is made of plain white, and is inlaid with gold to symbolize the purity of the Buddha. The arm shape at the entrance of the temple is a symbol of hell. The mural inside combines modern elements and traditional Buddhist theme.
►Bandaam Museum
Designed and built by Thai artist Thawan Duchanee, it took 36 years before completion. It is not a temple but a museum. The museum has collected a large number of exhibits on death, combining ancient animal bones and primitive hunting tools into various artworks.
The giant seat of the buffalo horns, the devil relief on the wooden boat, the wind chime device made of animal skins suspended in the air, etc., which gives people the impression of hell. All the buildings and exhibits are based on black, which is completely different from the White Temple, showing the vast difference between heaven and hell.
►Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle is located in the border areas of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. The region is famous for its rich production of opium, and it is the world's main drug-producing area.
Currency
The official currency of Thailand is the Thai Baht (THB), which is pronounced as "ba", usually abbreviated as "B". The maximum denomination of the Thai baht is 1,000 baht. 500, 100, 50 baht are commonly used, and 20, 10, 5, 1 baht are common coins, so it is necessary to prepare more coins in Thailand.
The tips are 10% to their bills. Do remember that do not use coins when tipping, because coins are for beggars. It is important to note that tipping costs at least 20 baht.
Big C
Consumption
In Chiang Rai, street stall is the cheapest place to eat. A bowl of rice bowl is about 40 baht. A dish is about 50-60 baht. A slightly higher level is a small restaurant. It costs about 300 baht for two dishes and one soup per person.