Chiang Rai province covers some
11,678 square kilometers with a population of 1.23 million
at an average elevation of 580 meters above sea
level, Myanmar borders on the north, and Laos on the north
and northeast. The provincial capital is 785
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).
The province contains Thailand's northernmost point at Mae
Sai which is well known for its crisp mountain scenery, and
hilltribes. North Chiang Rai and falls within the region
known as the Golden Triangle, the area where the borders of
Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge.
90% of the whole area of Chiangrai comprises high
mountains. Some are as high as 1,500 meters
above sea level, especially those along the Phi-Pan-Nam
Mountain Rang which come down from Daen-Lao Mountain in
Chiangmai, stretching to meet Luang Prabang Mountain
from Nan Province. Mt.Langka is the its highest peak at
the height of 2,030 meters. Chiangrai, therefore,
can boast of being the "motherland" of several important
rivers that are the lifelines of the north. These
include Kok, Ing, Lao, and Sai Rivers. Of these
Kok River is the most important because its runs through
the city of Chiangrai. Thus, you may hear... Kok
Rafting.. in Chiangrai via Thaton, a district bordering
between Chiangrai and Chiangmai. Staying at least a
night during rafting.. accommoation is also available by
the starting point...click
Thaton Chale
How
To Get to Chiangrai
By Bus
The 11-hour journey from Bangkok can be made on air
conditioned coaches and non-air conditioned buses
originating from the Northern Bus Terminal on Bangkok's
Kamphaeng Phet 2 (Tel: 936-3660 (or) 9378065 for further
details).
By Air
Thai Airways (Tel : 1566 or 286-0060) operates
daily flights between Bangkok and Chiang Rai.
