| Chiang
Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand
is about 785 kilometers north of Bangkok.
Situated on the Kok River basin, Chiang Rai
covers an area of approximately 11,678 square
meters with an average elevation of 580 meters
above sea level. The province, which is located
within the renowned Golden Triangle area where
Myanmar, Laos and Thailand converge, is also
known as the gateway to Myanmar, Laos and
Southern China.
Chiang Rai, which was founded in 1262 by
King Meng Rai, was the first capital of the
Lanna Thai Kingdom (Kingdom of a million rice
fields), which was later conquered by Burma.
It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became
a Thai territory and was proclaimed a province
during the reign of King Rama VI in 1910.
Today, Chiang Rai is a traveler’s paradise
endowed with abundant natural tourist attractions
and antiquities; the province itself is evidence
of past civilization. Attractions range from
magnificent mountain scenery, ruins of ancient
settlements, historic sites, Buddhist shrines
and ethnic villages as the province is also
home to several hill tribes who maintain fascinating
lifestyles. For those interested in the natural
side of Chiang Rai, jungle trekking is recommended
along various trails.
Chiang Rai which tends to be a little more
'laid back' now competes with Chiang Mai as
a tourist attraction and is fast becoming
a popular escape for tourists wanting to get
away from the troubles they left behind
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