Chiang Rai

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chiang Rai is both a city and a province in Thailand. For the province, see Chiang Rai Province.

Nakhon Chiang Rai (Thai เชียงราย; locally also Xieng Hai) is a city in Amphoe Mueang, Chiang Rai Province in northern Thailand.

Contents 1 Geography 2 Demographics 3 Government 4 History 5 Buddhist temples 6 Schools 6.1 Colleges and universities 6.2 High schools 6.3 Primary Schools 7 Hospitals 8 Transportation 9 External link

[edit] Geography

Geographical location 19°56′N 99°51′E. Nakhon Chiang Rai is 200 km NE of Nakhon Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Province; 62 km S of Mae Sai and the Burmese border; 60 km SW of Chiang Saen on the Mae Khong across from the PDR of Laos; and 90 km N of Nakhon Phayao, Phayao Province.

The Mae Kok river runs along its north side, flowing from west to east and eventually merging with the Mekong River.

[edit] Demographics

Population 62,000.

12.5% of the population belong to the hill tribes, a minority in the North of Thailand. Some of the hill tribe names are: Karen, Akha, Lisu, Meo, Muser. Many Chinese, particularly from Yunnan Province, have migrated to and assimilated with the Thai population - to the extent that well over half the large businesses in northern Thailand are owned by people of Chinese heritage.

[edit] Government

Chiang Rai is the capital of Chiang Rai Province.

The Salaklang Changwat 19°54.805′N 99°49.615′E holds the Provincial Offices.

The Municipal Offices are in the Thesaban 19°54.801′N 99°49.618′E.

[edit] History

The city was founded by King Mengrai in 1262 and became the first capital of the Lannathai kingdom. However, it lost this status soon after to a new city built by Mengrai at Chiang Mai. Later the city was conquered by Burma and remained under Burmese rule for several hundred years. It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became Thai territory. It was proclaimed a province during the reign of King Rama VI in 1910.

In 1432 the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most revered Buddha figure, was discovered in Chiang Rai, when an earthquake split the Chedi at Wat Phra Kaeo. The beautiful jade figure was then seen concealed within.

[edit] Buddhist temples

• Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong, 19°54.970′N 99°49.365′E
• Wat Phra Kaew, Chiang Rai, 19°54.704′N 99°49.647′E
• Wat Phra Sing, Chiang Rai, 19°54.653′N 99°49.882′E
• Wat Doi Khao Khwai, 19°52.892′N 99°48.582′E
• Wat Rong Khun, 19°49.480′N 99°45.800′E, a modern temple built since 1998 by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat

[edit] Schools

[edit] Colleges and universities

• Mae Fah Luang University
• Chiang Rai Rajabhat University

[edit] High schools

• Samakkhi Wittayakom School 19°54.314′N 99°49.598′E

[edit] Primary Schools

• Bansonkong School 19°54.045′N 99°49.671′E
• Piti Suksa Montessori School English Program 19°55.400′N 99°49.950′E

[edit] Hospitals

• Overbrook Hospital (Semi-Private)
• Sriburin Hospital (Private, and comparatively better quality)
• Chiang Rai Regional Hospital (Public)

[edit] Transportation

Route 1 runs from Bangkok through Chiang Rai to Mae Sai on the Burmese border. Chiang Rai is 839 kilometers from Bangkok, about 14 hours by car or by bus. TO get to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai by bus it will take approximately an hour and 30 minutes. (it is 175 km between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and I would not like to be in a bus that tries to make that trip in 1 hour 30 minutes. I would say it takes 2 hours 30 minutes/svenivan)

Several flights are available to and from Bangkok daily. Chiang Rai International Airport flight time is about 100 minutes.

There is a scheduled boat service between Chiang Rai and Thaton in Chiang Mai province daily.

There is no train service to Chiang Rai. The rail line from Bangkok ends at Chiang Mai.

[edit] External link

• Chiang Rai travel guide from Wikitravel