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 Chiang Rai is the most northern province of Thailand. The mighty Mekong river creates a border in the north to both Laos and Myanmar (Burma). The place where all these countries touch is the famous-infamous Golden Triangle. The terrain of Chiang Rai province is mountainous and covered in large parts with tropical rain forests. The scenery is among the most beautiful of Thailand. |
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Introducing Chiang Rai
 Chiang Rai province covers some 11,678 square kilometers with a population of 1.23 million. The average elevation is 580 meters above sea level, Myanmar borders on the north, and Laos on the north and northeast. The provincial capital is 829 kilometers north of Bangkok.
Chiang Rai was founded in 1262 by King Meng Rai and was the first capital of Lanna Thai (Kingdom of a Million Rice fields). Chiang Rai province contains Thailand's northernmost point at Mae Sai which is well known for its crisp mountain scenery, and hilltribes. North Chiang Rai falls within the region known as the Golden Triangle, the area where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge. Accommodation is available and and many reflect the typical Lanna Thai style architecture.
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Geographical Of Chiang Rai
 Chiang Rai province is Thailand's northernmost province. It covers an area of some 11,678 sq km making it the 12th largest province. The provincial capital, Chiang Rai city, is approximately 785 km north of the nation's capital, Bangkok.
Similar to other Thai provinces, Chiang Rai is administratively divided into Amphoes or districts and King Amphoes or sub-districts. There are thirteen in total as follows; Muang, Chiang Kong, Chiang Saen, Mae Chan, Mae Sai, Mae Suai, Pa Daet, Phan, Thoeng, Wiang Pa pao, Wiang Chai, Phaya Mengrai, Wiang Kaen and three sub-districts of Mae Fa Luang, Khun Tan and Mae Lao. For a long time Chiang Rai province remained isolated from the rest of Thailand. Such isolation, however, has afforded the province it's unique culture, as well as making it one of the country's most rural of areas.
 Chiang Rai province is bordered to the north by the neighbouring countries of Myanmar and Laos. The Myanmar border is mountainous, cleaving Myanmar from Thailand, with the Sop Ruak River converging with the Mekong River at Thailand's peak. The border with Laos is formed by the natural boundary that the Mekong River takes, as it travels south before heading further inland towards the Laotian town of Luang Prapang. To the west is Chiang Mai province, with Lampang province to the south and Phayao province to the south and southeast.
The general landscape consists of a large fertile plain, set within a midst of crisp and scenic mountain ranges. These form into a pan shape with elevations at approximately 580m above sea level.
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Weather All Year Round
 Climate
In Chiang Rai, the monsoon or rainy season starts around May and ends in October - earlier than in Central Thailand. Average daytime temperature is 25.5° C. The average rainfall in Chiang Rai is considerably higher than its neighbour, Chiang Mai province. So much so that during the months of August and September, (when rainfall is heaviest), many of the streets throughout the province will flood. At most other times the rain will normally fall sporadically.
The Cool Season lasts from late October until the end of February with temperatures ranging from 13ēC to 28ēC. Average daytime temperature is 21ēC, but cooler at night - especially in the hills and mountains. The coldest months are December and January.
The Hot Season begins at the end of March and lasts until the end of May, with temperatures ranging between 17ēC and 36ēC. The hottest month is April. Average daytime temperature is around 29.9ēC.
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Culture
 Chiang Rai province has a great deal in common with other provinces in the north especially regarding religious beliefs and culture. Nevertheless, it remains completely different when compared to the central, northeastern and southern Thai provinces.
The name associated and normally given to define the distinctive culture of the north of Thailand is simply called Lanna culture. The term "Lanna", meaning "kingdom of a million rice fields" is derived from the ancient Lanna Tai kingdom that was established in this northern region some seven hundred years ago.
 For centuries, the Lanna Tai kingdom covered not only the whole of northern Thailand, but also parts of Yunnan in southern China, the Shan states in Burma and north western Laos as well. Naturally such close contact and association meant a great deal of influence and style would inevitably be adopted from them. In fact, the distinct flavor and influence of these countries - in particular Burma, is still very evident in Chiang Rai province today.
Particularly noticeable and illustrative of a prolonged Burmese influence, are the square tiered towers to be found on many of the temples within the province. Place names too reflect an obvious Burmese presence and these can be seen throughout much of Chiang Rai.
Over the years Thai and Lanna royalty also intermarried resulting in an exciting mixture of rich diverse cultures which are unique to the area. Today there are many facets to the distinctive northern Lanna culture, including in food, clothes, arts, crafts, dialect, customs and festivals.
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