Chiang Rai. Thailand

Hotels / Resorts / Villas / Bungalows	Feature	Location	Price	Reservation & Enquiry
Baan Ton Nam (Doi Tung Lodge)	Boutique Mountain Resort	Doi Tung Royal Villa	1,600 THB
BW Premier Golden Pine Resort & Spa	Natural Lanna Style	Chaing Rai Airport Area	2,700 THB
Greater Mekong Lodge (Chiang Saen)	Mae Kekong River View	Chiang Saen	1,300 THB
Phowadol Resort & Spa	Modern Boutique Resort	Chiang Rai Town	2,000 THB
Rimkok Resort Hotel	Convention & Leisure	Mae Kok River	1,300 THB
Suanthip Vana Resort	Tropical Garden Resort	Ampur Mae Suay	2,800 THB
Teak Garden Spa Resort & Hotel	World class of resort	International Airport Road	1,650 THB
The Imperial Golden Triangle Resort	Conference & Unique Attractions	Golden Triangle	2,100 THB
The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River resort & Spa	Natural Spa Resort	Mae Kok River	3,000 THB
The River House Resort	Peacefully Relaxing Atmosphere	A. Muang	4,200 THB
Wangcome Hotel	Convenient Location	Chiang Rai Town	1,500 THB
Hotels / Resorts / Villas / Bungalows	Feature	Location	Price	Reservation & Enquiry

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 travelers 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.

From Bangkok to Chiang Rai

By Air

Thai Airways has daily flights connecting Bangkok with Chiang Rai. For more information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000, the Chiang Rai Office tel. 0 5371 1179, 0 5371 5207, or view their website at www.thaiairways.com.
One-Two-Go offers daily flights from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. Call 1126 or book online at http://www.fly12go.com
SGA offers flights to Chiang Rai. Call 0 2664 6099 or visit: www.sga.co.th

By Bus
The coach ride from Bangkok to Chiang Rai is probably best made overnight since passengers can avail themselves of sleep prior to an early morning arrival. There are both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned bus services from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal) on Kamphaengphet 2 Road. The journey may take approximately 9-11 hours.

By Car
Take Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin Road), turn to route No. 32 passing Ayutthaya, Angthong and Singburi Provinces and change to route No. 11 passing Phitsanulok, Uttaradit and Phrae Provinces then turn left to Highway No. 103, drive through to Ngao District and turn right onto Highway No. 1 which takes you to Phayao and Chiang Rai Provinces. The total distance is 785 km.

By Rail
There is no direct train to Chiang Rai. You have to take a train to Lampang
(9 hrs. from Bangkok) or Chiang Mai (11 hrs.) and then take a bus to Chiang Rai. (2 hrs. from Lampang and 1.30 hrs. from Chiang Mai) For more details, call the State Railway of Thailand, 1690 (hotline), or 0 2223 7010 or 0 2223 7020.

By Boat
The capital may also be reached from Tha Thon in Chiang Mai province by a scenic 4-6 hour (depending on climatic conditions, such as rain, and other factors such as high waters and fast currents) long-tail boat ride along the Mae Kok River.

From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

By Bus
Chiang Rai is 182 kilometers north of Chiang Mai. Air conditioned buses leave 12 times daily from Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal to Chiang Rai. Some buses continue to Mae Sai and Chiang Saen.

By Air
Airlines have numerous daily flights servicing the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route and the Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai route.