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Chiang Rai

Rai is the capital of Rai province, in . The has a population of around 62,000 and is the main commercial centre serving the Golden Triangle border region of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. It is an excellent base for exploring the region.

More (general) information about the most of Thailand, click here [1]
[edit] Get in
[edit] By car

Rai is about 820km north of Bangkok and is easily accessible from Bangkok via highways # 1 / # 32 and from Mai on highway # 118.
[edit] By bus

operated by Greenbus depart Mai’s Arcade Bus Terminal (north of the city, opposite Carrefour and just off the super highway) on a regular basis. The journey takes three hours and costs 520 baht round-trip.

If you are arriving from Laos, buses leave Khong bus station every hour or so and have the destination clearly marked. The journey takes and costs 76 baht.
[edit] By train

The nearest train station is at Mai.
[edit] By plane

(CEI) is located on Phaholyotin 8 kilometres from downtown Rai. Car rental is available on arrival from Avis [2]

The is served by Air Asia, , One-Two-Go, SGA Airlines, and .
[edit] Get around

Public transport consists mainly of tuk-tuks and songthaews, plus a smaller number of taxis. The city itself can be explored on foot, but for trips into the province consider or a motorbike. Budget and Avis both have offices in Rai and there are several local agencies. If you don’t feel up to driving in what may be a very different environment, then consider with driver - it doesn’t cost much more.

A motorbike is a good way to see these parts; there are several trails and a 250cc dirt bike is a great way to see the country side. However be aware that many of the are narrow and winding and that Thailand has one of the highest rates of motorcycle accidents in the world. Stay alert.
[edit][add listing] See
Wat Phra Kaeo
Wat Phra Kaeo

* Gate of Siam - on the border with Laos - you stand high up on a mountain and Laos is in front of you and the mighty Mekong River

* Wat Santhaat

* Wat Phra Kaeo - this beautiful Buddhist temple on Trairat right in is famous for having housed, in the 14th century, the Emerald Buddha, one of the most famous Buddha images in Thailand (it is now housed in Bangkok)

* Wat Thoeng Sao Hin

* Princess Mother Hall and Doi Mae Salong - about 70km north-west of Rai. A beautiful from Mae Chan, sometimes quite steep. The view from the temple and Princess Mother Hall is fantastic. In Mae Salong there is a museum for KMT and you can learn what happened after they got kicked out of China by Mao Tse Tung, going to Burma, kicked out from there and then into Thailand where they helped the Thai government to fight the Communists for many years.

* Doi Tung Royal Villa - final residence of the Princess Mother (mother of the King of Thailand), located at kilometre 12 on highway 1149, to the west of highway 1. This magnificent villa was built on the mountain overlooking the surrounding hills and valleys in a unique mix of Swiss and Lanna architectural styles. Adjacent to the villa is the Mae Fah Luang Garden, a large beautiful flower-filled garden, and a memorial hall commemorating the Princess Mother.

* Wat Doi Tung - very important temple for the Buddhists and with probably the most fantastic view of all temples in Thailand

* Doi Tung Zoo

* Phucheefah - great sunset view

Doi Tung Royal Villa
Doi Tung Royal Villa
Phucheefah
Phucheefah
[edit][add listing] Do

* Organize a trekking tour to the hill-tribes

* Visit Mae Sai and the Golden Triangle

* Visit Buffalo Horn Hill and Khun Kon Waterfall (Nam Tok Khun Kon)

Rent a motorbike and go to the temple on Buffalo Horn Hill to have a splendid overview over Rai by following the old to Mai, called Ratchayotha. Just about when you’ll cross the city borders you’ll notice a long curve in the to the right. From this point watch for a hill in the distance at the lefthand side. That’s where you want to go! Take a left turn at the next big Soi (Nongpoung soi 3). Take the first turn right after the lake and turn left. The entrance to the small up is here: look for temple flags. You will be treated with the most beautiful view over Rai. Especially around sunset! The at the small lake serves nice fish and gourmet frogs.

Another way to find Buffalo Horn Hill (Wat Phra That Doi Khao Khwai) is to go Sanam Bin south to the Old , turn right onto Pracha Santi follow this one and you see the hill in front of you.

Take the same old to Mai for about 15 km and turn right at the white sign ‘Kun Korn Waterfall’. The pitoresque meanders up for 11 km. Walk the last kilometer to the waterfall itself through fantastic jungle. Impressive.!! You might need a swimsuit and/or dry clothes… prepare to get wet.

* Visit Wat Rong Kuhn also known as ‘the white temple’

It is quite a long drive on ’super-highway’ A1, direction Mai, to find these beautiful grounds with a white temple. The building of the temple was started in 1998. The grounds are situated on the righthand side coming from Rai. Take the exit called ‘Khun Kon Waterfall’ (big green sign). The architect is artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. He is famous for his religious paintings, but I believe his mud-castle-like architecture stands out and is definitely worth a visit. From here you could also go to ‘Khun Kon Waterfall’. Continue the and turn left at the end of it. From there you are on the ‘old to Mai’ (see above). You should look for the white sign to go to the right.

* Play and practise golf at The Old . Here you have a very good Driving Ranch and also a 9-hole golfcourse. You can find one of the best teachers in golf here, Barry Finch. And when you are hungry there is a hamburger .

* Golf in Rai There are two highclass golfcourses outside Rai. Santiburi is one of Thailands 5 best courses and you can find Santiburi 10 km east of .

is as good as Santiburi. You find 35 km northeast of . There is a hotel if you want to stay over. In we have two 9-hole courses. The Army that you find close to Mae Fa Luang Bridge and The Old that you find, yes, at the old . The Old you can play without a caddie. At the other courses you must have one.
[edit][add listing] Buy

* Night Bazaar - The bazaar is located between the bus station and Phaholyothin in the center of . The market consists of many small stands lining the narrow street running between Phaholyothin and the bus station. Everything on display from silk ready-made garments to tattoo etching, even pets. The hill tribes sell an amazing selection of old coins, collector’s pieces of needlework and very fine quilted bed spreads.

* ‘ Din Dang’ pottery, (12 km From Rai and 6km from ; when traveling on superhighway direction Mae Sai, take the 2nd u-turn after Rajapat University. Follow the ‘Long Neck ’ - signs. DDD is about 2km from the highway on the left hand side), ☎ 053-705291 / +6653705291 (doydindg @ loxinfo.co.th). closed on Sundays. Din Dang is a pottery which is both a gallery as a place to buy beautiful crockery and ceramics. You can see the whole process, from clay grinding, kneading, throwing, through glazing and the firing in the oven. Website:[3] edit

[edit][add listing] Eat
Khao Sawy
Khao Sawy

* Roughly halfway down the alley entering the Night Bazaar from the main is ‘Centrepoint’, an open-air hawkers/ surrounded by more stalls and with a for classical and dance performances.

* On the main there is a Lebanese serving Falafel, Tabouleh, Hummous and other middle-eastern delicacies.

* Da Vinci is an other good place on the main serving nice charcoal pizzas an pastas. Their lasagna is recommended.

* Good bakery just opposite the bus station (bread, rolls, good coffee, cakes). At the same time you are helping hilltribe young women have the opportunity to be apprentences, running this very bakery. Nice (and very rich) marchpain rolls.
* Then there is A&P Bakery. This is definitely the best bakery in as it comes to whole bread, multi bread, white bread, baguette, rolls and cakes! There’s even a picture book with at least 200 sorts of cakes which you can order. It is run by the very friendly Aom and Pascal (A&P). (old ) on number 93/4, opposite ‘Muse Bar’. Tel: +66-857231410 / 08-57231410.

* Oasis is a very specialized and delicious vegetarian . Behind the new main at the ‘Night Bazaar’ you’ll notice a high building situated behind the small eateries which still belong to the market. It’s at the of a street which leads to the fruit market. A ‘must’ for vegetarian people! Open until 20.00.

* Kad Khaw Nung is a in the North Hotel which specializes in home made northern style food. Here you can find sausage, Hunglay (northern pork curry) and a variety of northern style dishes made by the mother of the owner. Their family recipes will give you a real taste of Northern cuisine. The North Hotel is situated next to Oasis, just in the middle of a small street between the Night Bazaar and fruit and flower market. Please check the map here: [[4]]

* “ Rai Beach” during the day or the early evening is an excellent spot. There are around 20 eateries overlooking the ‘Mae Kok River’. Bring your dictionary with you for there are no English menus to be found. A bit out of . Go by tuktuk or motorbike.

* Tong Tung (no English sign) serves you food. Try this semi-outdoor place on the western side of the about 1 km south of Banphaprakan on 1/1 (old ). Their ‘ Hung Lay’ curry is to be recommended.

* Eat khao sawy (Burmese style chicken curry with noodles, 25 baht), special sausage (25 baht) and naam phrik num (dip made of eggplant and peppers) at a small but famous shop just in the middle of Jet Yot (nr 1023/2). Many locals eat here.

* The famous khao moo deng (rice with red sauteed pork, or as shown on the menu: ‘rice with BBQ pork’, 30 baht) tastes best at the big Chinese called Nakornpatom on Phahonyothin, the main street. Red sign board with large yellow font Thai letters (don’t search the name Nakornpatom, unless you can read Thai). It’s opposite the Lebanese shop. Big cold coffee machines attract the locals to having lunch there. Delicious!

* Siam on Jet Yot. Very good Thai food, some Western dishes also.

[edit][add listing] Drink

* Muse Bar, 101/1 (’the old ’), ☎ 08-69169369. Sunday: Jamming night, Monday: I-Pod night, Wednesday: revival night, Thursday: Indie night. Runned by resident DJ Skin (Pi Job). If you are into good this is the place to be! Beautifully decorated place, delicious cocktails, good ambiance and excellent snacks will make you at ease. The sound is great due to a fantastic speaker system. Go eat first at the Tong Tung 100 meters away, on the other side of this street. edit

* Rusta Bar with rasta at Khok Chang Rd.

* Cat Bar with jam sessions almost every day and a pool table on Yet Yod Rd.

* Joe’s on Yet Yod Rd.

* Bo’s Place on Phahon Yotin 100 m south of bus station. Here is one place where local farangs meet for a beer and for a nice meal.

* Reggae Bar situated somewhere in Night Bazaar’s little alley’s behind the silver colored . Good variety of and drinks. Open after 8pm. Later local farangs meet here.

* Easy Bar on Jet Yot. Open all day. You can have a meal here, read Bangkok Post, watch Cable TV.

* The Turntable Jazz Bar, the North Hotel is the only place you can find a wide range of Jazz records from the 40 year-old collection of the hotel’s Norwegian co-owner. Several jazz related books can also be found. The bar offers cheap beer and drinks and a friendly atmosphere. The turntable jazz bar is located between the Night Bazaar and Sirikorn (flower and fruit) Market, tel:+66 (0) 5371 9873, Fax: +66 (0) 5374 0156. MAP [[5]]

* SiTSip Bar&Coffee House. Located at Ground Floor; Wangcome Hotel. 053-711-800. The place is decorated in modern style. Serving drinks, food&snack, and lots of cocktail menu.

[edit][add listing] Sleep
[edit] Budget

* Baan Bua Guest House 879/2, Jetyod , tel: (66) 053 718880, fax: 053-705357 baanbua@yahoo.com - very central but nice and quiet, with a pleasant garden where you have breakfast with other travellers and in the evening enjoy a beer. Air-con rooms 200-400.

* Baan Lanna Hotel 395 Moo 2, Rimkok, Muang tel. (66) 053-712555 manager@baanlaana.com - clean air-con rooms, mini bar and friendly staff. Rates 450 - 800 baht.

* Chat House [6]

* Mae Hong Son Guest House in Rai, 126 Singhaklai , tel. +66-053715367

* Ruangnakorn Hotel (near the police station) costs 450 baht/room

* Sport Inn Hotel 557 Prachasanti , tel: (66) 053 756 959, fax: 053-756 156 - very nice Hotel, free internet and they have wifi too, 5 minutes from the centre of , Air-con double rooms 350 baht.

* The North Hotel Between the Night Bazaar and Sirikorn (flower and fruit) Market, tel:+66 (0) 5371 9873, Fax: +66 (0) 5374 0156 [7] [8] - rates 450-700 baht per person per night. Air-con, private facilities, hot and cold shower, cable TV, fridge, and Turntable Jazz Bar.

* YMCA International Hotel 70 Phaholyothin , tel:+66 (0) 5371 3785 to 6, +66 (0) 5370 2763 to 4 ymcawf@loxinfo.co.th [9] - rates 100-400 baht

[edit] Mid-range

* Saen River Hill Hotel [10]

* Golden Triangle Inn [11]

* Little Duck Hotel [12]

* Luck Swan Resort and Spa [13] - 499 Moo 4, Rimkok Muang- Rai. New hotel with Thai and Western food. Air-con rooms. Hotel has a nice garden and gazebo. Rates: 1200 to 1800 Free internet access in the lobby. Tel. (66) 053-750855 Fax: (66) 053-750857

* Starbright Hotel [14]

* Baan Warabordee; very beautiful, clean, air-con, well decorated rooms in quiet street near centre, in the street behind the Wiang Inn. Prices for a double: 400-500 bahht, triple: 600-700 baht; 59/1 Sanpanard Rd. - Moo18 - Rai; Tel. +66(0)53754488 Fax. +66(0)53719293

* Morning Dew Lodge [15] - New hotel targeting long term visitors and 10 minute walk from centre. Rates: 600 /night 6000/month Free WiFi internet throughout the building. Tel. (66) 081 595 5502

hiang Rai is Thailand’s most and is frequented mostly by tourists and shoppers. Attractions include the famous Golden Triangle and the mighty Mekong River. A wealth of cultural diversity awaits those who take the time to explore the region.

The name Golden Triangle evokes an impression that illicit drugs are the activity of this area. Yes, it was once a notorious place. However, with strict enforcement by various countries particularly the United States and Thailand, playing an important role of eradicating the drug menace by educating the many hill-tribes to have a permanent settlement instead of the slash and burn to grow crops. Schools were built to educate their children on the Thai curriculum and welfare.

Changrai is 785 km north of Bangkok and is in the midst of mountains and hills. Across the great Mekong river is Myanmar and Laos, thus the name “Golden Triangle”. All nationalities can cross over to these countries easily by , boats, or air with valid passports and visa. Being the first to establish into a city by King Mengrai of the Lanna Kingdom, it has many ancient ruins. There are many activities you can indulge like visiting the only handcrafted White Temple in Thailand; the ever changing flowers in the most beautiful botanical garden (Doi Tung); Hill-tribes, Opium or the National museum; elephant riding; shopping for foodstuff; clothing; jewelries; handicrafts or ride on a long propeller boat on the Mekong river; explore the natural rock formation and caves with spectacular formations e.g. Big Cave, Fish Cave.

Of , if you are a nature lover, go to the mountains. Doi Tung – it has a sacred hilltop Buddhist shrine built in 911 AD and it is believed that the left collar bones of Lord Buddha is enshrined in the twin pagodas. On your way up, enjoy the panoramic view then drop in to visit the Akha and Lahu hill-tribe village famous for their hand woven textiles and silver jewelries. Not satisfied with one mountain? Venture to Thailand’s little Switzerland, the Doi Mae Salong, incidentally “doi” means mountain. It sits on an elevation of 6000 feet above sea level. The air is cool and refreshing throughout the year. The settlers are ethnic Chinese descendants of the KMT nationalist army who took refuge in Thailand to escape from the Communist forces of Mainland China more than 50 years ago. The settlement has its own Christian churches, Buddhist temples, schools, locally produced oolong black tea, shops and restaurants.

A better way to experience first hand the local foods, way of life and customs of the is through a village home stay.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 13th, 2008 at 1:04 pm and is filed under Thailand. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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