Chiang Rai

Introducing Chiang Rai

About 180km from Chiang Mai, the city northern Thais know as ‘Siang Hai’ has been marketed in tourist literature as ‘the gateway to the Golden Triangle’. Thais often tout Chiang Rai as a laid-back alternative to Chiang Mai. Things are on a smaller scale here, from the night market to the amount of sites to see, but the city has a more relaxed atmosphere, less pollution, and its trekking areas are quicker to get to. There are also more volunteering and homestay opportunities outside of Chiang Rai compared to Chiang Mai. Although often compared to the north’s capital, Chiang Rai has its own character and attractions, like the unique, sparkling white Wat Rong Khun temple, just outside the city.

Phaya Mengrai founded Chiang Rai in 1262 as part of the Lao-Thai Lanna kingdom and it didn’t become a Siamese territory till 1786, then a province in 1910. Lots of wealthy Thais began moving to Chiang Rai in the 1980s, and in the early 1990s the area saw a development boom as local entrepreneurs speculated on the city’s future. Things have calmed down a bit since then but ambitions are still high. Although the airport still doesn’t link Chiang Rai with international destinations in the region, there has been talk (but not much action) of the potential of possible roads connecting Chiang Rai and cities in Laos, Myanmar and southern China.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009