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Chiang Rai

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Cross‑border rhythm

Chiang Rai sits on the edge of the Golden Triangle, where Thai, Lao and Burmese cultures converge. A short tuk‑tuk ride across the River Kok brings you into the market town of Mae Sai, where the cadence of Mandarin, Thai and Karen languages mixes in the same stall. Border‑crossers often list the chance to sample Laotian sticky rice or Burmese tea leaves as the most memorable snippet of the region, a sensory layer you won’t find in guidebooks centred on the city itself. Even the bus routes are informal, with minibuses departing whenever a crowd gathers, offering a glimpse into how mobility here is shaped more by community rhythm than timetabled precision.

Seasonal light for the temple trail

While Chiang Rai’s core attractions are year‑round, the surrounding hills and river valleys transform dramatically with the monsoon. Between June and October, the mist that rolls off the Doi Tung plateau settles on the golden roofs of Wat Phra Kaew, softening the usual glare and creating a moody palette for photographers. The cooler evenings bring night‑markets that glow under lanterns, and the air is crisp enough for a late‑day hike to the hilltop viewpoint at Phu Chi Fa, where sunrise paints the Mekong’s tributaries in pastel tones. Planning a visit around this window lets you experience a quieter, more atmospheric side of the city.

Beyond the clock: local craft loops

The iconic Chiang Rai Clock Tower is a convenient meeting point, but the real artisan network radiates from the neighbourhoods of Wiang Rim and San Sai. Here, family workshops produce hand‑woven silk and bamboo‑woven baskets using patterns passed down through generations. Most artisans welcome curious visitors, offering informal demonstrations that turn a simple purchase into a brief lesson in Lanna symbolism. Timing a stop during the afternoon tea break, when locals congregate at street-side stalls, increases the chance of a candid chat about the seasonal dyes derived from local plants, adding a tactile dimension to your stay.

Introduction

City in Thailand Not to be confused with Chiang Mai. This article is about the city. For the province, see Chiang Rai Province. City Municipality in Chiang Rai Province, ThailandChiang Rai เชียงรายᨩ᩠ᨿᨦᩁᩣ᩠ᨿCity MunicipalityChiang Rai Municipalityเทศบาลนครเชียงรายᩅ᩠ᨿᨦᨩ᩠ᨿᨦᩁᩣ᩠ᨿChiang Rai Clock Tower FlagSealInteractive map of Chiang RaiChiang RaiLocation in ThailandShow map of ThailandChiang RaiChiang Rai (Southeast Asia)Show map of Southeast AsiaCoordinates: 19°54′34″N 99°49′39″E / 19.90944°N 99.82750°E / 19.90944; 99.82750Country ThailandProvince Chiang Rai ProvinceDistrictMueang Chiang RaiCitymunicipality13 February 2004Founded byKing MangraiSubdistricts 4 WiangRop WiangRim KokSan Sai Government • TypeCity municipality • MayorWanchai ChongsutthamaniArea • Total60.85 km2 (23.49 sq mi)Elevation390 m (1,280 ft)Population (2012) • Total69,888 • Density1,149/km2 (2,975/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)Postal code57000Area code(+66) 53Geocode5100AirportChiang Rai International AirportOld Chiang Rai AirportWebsitechiangraicity.go.th This article contains Lanna text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Tai Tham script. Chiang Rai (Thai: เชียงราย, pronounced [tɕʰīaŋ rāːj]; Northern Thai: ᨩ᩠ᨿᨦᩁᩣ᩠ᨿ, pronounced [tɕīaŋ hāːj]) is the northernmost major city in Thailand, with a population of approximately 70,000 people. It is located in Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai Province. Chiang Rai was established as a capital during the reign of King Mangrai, in 1262 CE. Chiang Rai is recognized as a "Design City" by UNESCO's Creative Cities Network. Chiang Rai"Chiang Rai" in Thai language (top) andNorthern Thai with Tai Tham script (bottom)Thai nameThaiเชียงรายRTGSChiang RaiNorthern Thai nameNorthern Thaiᨩ᩠ᨿᨦᩁᩣ᩠ᨿเจียงฮาย[tɕīaŋ hāːj]

History

[edit] Sadue Mueang, omphalos of the city The city was founded by King Mangrai in 1262: 208  and became the capital of the Mangrai Dynasty. The word 'Chiang' means 'city' in Thai, so Chiang Rai would mean 'the City of (Mang) Rai'. 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 Siam vassal. Siam (later Thailand) annexed the Kingdom of Chiang Mai in 1893 as a Monthon, which Chiang Rai joined later in 1910. It's not before 1933 that Chiang Rai became a full province of Thailand. In 1432, during the reign of King Sam Fang Kaen of the Mangrai 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 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 (Thai: สะดือเมือง), the "navel" or omphalos of the city.

Geography

[edit] Chiang Rai lies on the flat alluvial plain of the 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 Kok River runs along Chiang Rai's north side, flowing eastwards out of Burma at Tha Ton(ท่าตอม) town, bending north-eastwards and joining the Mekong River about 40 kilometres (25 mi) north-east of the city. The Lao River, a tributary of the Kok, flows south of Chiang Rai. There are four bridges spanning the 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 north-west directions, where limestone hills are evident, some of which have vertical exposed cliffs. That is also the direction where most of the region's hill tribe people have their villages, further afield. The city is 860 kilometres (530 mi) north of Bangkok, about 200 kilometres (120 mi) north-east of Chiang Mai, 62 kilometres (39 mi) south of Mae Sai and the Burmese border; 60 kilometres (37 mi) south-west of the town of Chiang Saen on the Mekong River across from Laos; and 90 kilometres (56 mi) north of Phayao town. The Golden Triangle, the tripoint of the Thailand, Laos and Myanmar borders, is 55 kilometres (34 mi) north-east of the city.

Climate

[edit] 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 34.5 °C (94.1 °F). The monsoon season runs from late April through October, with heavy rain and somewhat cooler temperatures during the day, although nights remain warm. Snow has been first recorded in 1955. Climate data for Chiang Rai (1991–2020, extremes 1951-present) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 34.3(93.7) 37.0(98.6) 39.3(102.7) 41.3(106.3) 42.0(107.6) 39.6(103.3) 38.5(101.3) 35.6(96.1) 35.0(95.0) 34.6(94.3) 34.9(94.8) 33.5(92.3) 42.0(107.6) Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 28.6(83.5) 31.3(88.3) 33.7(92.7) 34.7(94.5) 33.5(92.3) 32.5(90.5) 31.3(88.3) 30.9(87.6) 31.4(88.5) 30.9(87.6) 29.6(85.3) 27.8(82.0) 31.4(88.4) Daily mean °C (°F) 20.2(68.4) 21.9(71.4) 24.8(76.6) 27.2(81.0) 27.5(81.5) 27.5(81.5) 26.9(80.4) 26.6(79.9) 26.5(79.7) 25.4(77.7) 22.9(73.2) 20.2(68.4) 24.8(76.6) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 13.8(56.8) 14.5(58.1) 17.5(63.5) 21.1(70.0) 23.0(73.4) 24.0(75.2) 23.9(75.0) 23.7(74.7) 23.1(73.6) 21.5(70.7) 17.9(64.2) 14.7(58.5) 19.9(67.8) Record low °C (°F) 1.5(34.7) 6.5(43.7) 7.6(45.7) 14.7(58.5) 17.1(62.8) 20.6(69.1) 20.6(69.1) 20.7(69.3) 17.0(62.6) 12.7(54.9) 5.0(41.0) 1.5(34.7) 1.5(34.7) Average precipitation mm (inches) 16.5(0.65) 12.7(0.50) 34.5(1.36) 92.6(3.65) 226.5(8.92) 186.2(7.33) 317.6(12.50) 372.9(14.68) 275.1(10.83) 123.5(4.86) 44.8(1.76) 20.6(0.81) 1,723.4(67.85) Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 1.5 1.2 2.9 7.9 14.5 14.6 19.6 20.5 14.7 8.3 3.5 1.9 111.1 Average relative humidity (%) 74.4 67.2 64.2 67.2 74.7 78.8 82.1 84.1 82.9 80.9 78.2 76.5 75.9 Average dew point °C (°F) 14.7(58.5) 14.5(58.1) 16.4(61.5) 19.7(67.5) 22.0(71.6) 23.2(73.8) 23.4(74.1) 23.5(74.3) 23.1(73.6) 21.6(70.9) 18.4(65.1) 15.4(59.7) 19.7(67.5) Mean monthly sunshine hours 248.6 242.7 243.7 245.8 216.2 158.9 123.2 126.0 163.3 197.8 224.4 222.2 2,412.6 Mean daily sunshine hours 8.8 9.1 9.5 9.3 6.4 5.3 3.9 3.8 4.8 6.4 8.3 8.1 7.0 Source 1: World Meteorological Organization, (extremes) Source 2: Office of Water Management and Hydrology, Royal Irrigation Department (daily sun 1981–2010) Chiang Rai Climate chart (explanation) J F M A M J J A S O N D     16     28 13     12     31 14     33     33 17     91     34 20     225     33 22     186     32 23     317     31 23     372     31 23     275     31 23     123     30 21     44     29 17     20     27 14 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mmSource: Thai Meteorological Department Imperial conversion JFMAMJJASOND     0.6     82 55     0.5     88 57     1.3     91 63     3.6     93 68     8.9     91 72     7.3     90 73     12     88 73     15     88 73     11     88 73     4.8     86 70     1.7     84 63     0.8     81 57 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

Demographics

[edit] According to the Thai National Statistical Office, as of September 2010, Chiang Rai municipal district had 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.[citation needed] A significant share—12.5 percent—of the population are of hill tribes descent. "Hill tribes" is a collective term for the minority ethnic groups in north Thailand such as the Karen, Akha, Lisu, Miao, and Hmong.

Buddhist temples

[edit] Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong, 19°54.970′N 99°49.365′E / 19.916167°N 99.822750°E / 19.916167; 99.822750 Wat Phra Kaeo, Chiang Rai, 19°54.704′N 99°49.647′E / 19.911733°N 99.827450°E / 19.911733; 99.827450 Wat Phra Sing, Chiang Rai, 19°54.653′N 99°49.882′E / 19.910883°N 99.831367°E / 19.910883; 99.831367 Wat Doi Khao Khwai, 19°52.892′N 99°48.582′E / 19.881533°N 99.809700°E / 19.881533; 99.809700 Wat Rong Khun, 19°49.480′N 99°45.800′E / 19.824667°N 99.763333°E / 19.824667; 99.763333, a modern temple built since 1998 by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat Chedi Doi Trimoorati, 19°57′36.48″N 99°49′14.70″E / 19.9601333°N 99.8207500°E / 19.9601333; 99.8207500 Chiang Rai Clock Tower in Wiang Mueang area

Education

[edit] Colleges and universities[edit] Mae Fah Luang University Chiang Rai Rajabhat University Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Rai Campus International schools[edit] Chiang Rai International School Chiang Rai International Christian School 19°57.022′N 99°49.893′E / 19.950367°N 99.831550°E / 19.950367; 99.831550 One Hope International School High schools[edit] Samakkhi Witthayakhom School 19°54.314′N 99°49.598′E / 19.905233°N 99.826633°E / 19.905233; 99.826633 Damrongratsongkroh School Chiang Rai Witthayakhom School Chiangrai municiplarity school 6 Chiang Rai International School Primary schools[edit] PSEP Bilingual School. Bansankhong (Chiangraijaroonrat) School 19°54.045′N 99°49.671′E / 19.900750°N 99.827850°E / 19.900750; 99.827850 Piti Suksa Montessori School 19°55.400′N 99°49.950′E / 19.923333°N 99.832500°E / 19.923333; 99.832500 AMEC School, Chiang Rai 19°50.660′N 99°48.114′E / 19.844333°N 99.801900°E / 19.844333; 99.801900

Transportation

[edit] Route 1 runs from Bangkok through Chiang Rai to Mae Sai on the Burma border. Chiang Rai is 839 kilometers from Bangkok, about 14 hours by car or by bus. According to official bus schedules, the bus ride to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, All of these times should take into account the rainy season which lasts from about June to late October, this can severely inhibit travel with road sections often completely flooded and even washed out. Several flights are available to and from Bangkok daily. Chiang Rai International Airport flight time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are several major operators including Thai Airways, Air Asia, Nok Air. There is scheduled boat service between Chiang Rai and Thaton in Chiang Mai Province daily. This journey will last about 3–4 hours and is a pleasant alternative to the bus ride through the mountains. There are currently no rail services to Chiang Rai as the railway line from Bangkok ends at Chiang Mai. Nonetheless, new 323 kilometer-long branch line, from Den Chai to the Lao border at Chiang Khong and passing through Chiang Rai, is under construction and is expected to open in 2028.