Chiang Rai city

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

Chiang Rai ᨩᩭᨦᩁᩣᩭ เชียงราย
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai Location in Thailand
Coordinates: 19°54′34″N 99°49′39″E
Country	Thailand
Province	Chiang Rai Province
Districts of Thailand	Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai
Population (2010)
• Total	199,699

Mueang Chiang Rai (Thai: เมืองเชียงราย, pronounced [mɯəŋ tɕʰiəŋ raːj]; Northern Thai: ᩮᨾᩥᩬᨦᨩᩭᨦᩁᩣᩭ: Mueang Ciang Hai; Lao: Mueang Xieng Hai) is a city in Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Changwat Chiang Rai, a northernmost Changwat in Thailand.

The full name means "Mangrai's City," as it was established as a capital city in the reign of King Mangrai, in the year 1262 CE.

History

Sadue Mueang, Omphalos of the City

The city was founded by King Mengrai in 1262 and became the capital of the Mengrai dynasty. Subsequently, Chiang Rai was conquered by Burma and remained under Burmese rule for several hundred years. It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became Chiang Mai vassal. After Siam or Thailand annexed Chiang Mai in 1899 Chiang Rai was proclaimed a province of Thailand in 1933.

In 1432 during the reign of King Sam Fang Kaen of Mangrai dynasty (1402–1441) the Phra Kaeo, or Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha statue, was discovered in Chiang Rai when an earthquake split the Chedi at Wat Phra Kaeo of Chiang Rai City. The beautiful jade figure was then seen concealed within. Another telling of the story has the 'Emerald Buddha' hastily covered in mud just before marauders entered to pillage. It wasn't until many years later, that the clunky-looking mud Buddha was found to actually house the magnificent jade statue, perhaps by way of the earthquake mentioned above - which caused a piece of the clay to break off - revealing the jade beneath.

In 1992, the City Pillar was moved from Wat Klang Wiang to Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong, where it is known as Sadue Mueang (Thai: สะดือเมือง), the Navel or Omphalos of the City.

Geography

Chiang Rai City is 200 kilometres northeast of Chiang Mai City, 62 kilometres south of Mae Sai and the Burmese border; 60 kilometres southwest of the town of Chiang Saen on the Mae Kong across from Laos; and 90 kilometres north of Payao town.

The Mae Kok River runs along Chiang Rai's north side, flowing from west out of Burma at Taton town - to east and thereby merging with the Mekong River.

There are four bridges spanning the Mae Kok river within the town's boundaries, each running south/north. Most of the terrain surrounding Chiang Rai town is either flat or has moderate hills. The exception is outward in the west and northwest directions, where limestone hills are evident, some of which have straight-up exposed cliffs. Not surprisingly, that's also the direction where most of the region's Hill Tribe people have their villages, further afield.

Climate

Chiang Rai
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     12   28 12     7.8   31 13     19   34 16     90   35 20     204   33 22     211   32 23     308   31 23     385   31 23     268   31 22     142   30 20     61   28 17     25   27 13 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation totals in mm Source: Thai Meteorological Department
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     0.5   82 53     0.3   88 55     0.8   92 61     3.5   95 67     8   92 72     8.3   89 73     12   88 73     15   87 73     11   87 72     5.6   86 69     2.4   83 63     1   80 55 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation totals in inches

Climate data for Chiang Rai
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	27.6 (81.7)	30.9 (87.6)	33.5 (92.3)	34.9 (94.8)	33.2 (91.8)	31.7 (89.1)	30.9 (87.6)	30.6 (87.1)	30.6 (87.1)	29.8 (85.6)	28.2 (82.8)	26.5 (79.7)	30.7 (87.3)
Daily mean °C (°F)	18.9 (66.0)	21.1 (70.0)	24.1 (75.4)	26.8 (80.2)	27.0 (80.6)	26.8 (80.2)	26.4 (79.5)	26.1 (79.0)	25.8 (78.4)	24.5 (76.1)	22.0 (71.6)	18.8 (65.8)	24.0 (75.2)
Average low °C (°F)	11.9 (53.4)	12.9 (55.2)	15.9 (60.6)	19.7 (67.5)	22.0 (71.6)	22.9 (73.2)	22.8 (73.0)	22.6 (72.7)	22.0 (71.6)	20.3 (68.5)	17.0 (62.6)	12.8 (55.0)	18.6 (65.5)
Precipitation mm (inches)	12.2 (0.48)	7.8 (0.307)	19.1 (0.752)	89.8 (3.535)	203.9 (8.028)	211.2 (8.315)	308.2 (12.134)	385.4 (15.173)	268.4 (10.567)	142.4 (5.606)	60.5 (2.382)	24.6 (0.969)	1,733.5 (68.248)
Avg. rainy days	2	1	3	10	17	19	22	24	18	12	6	3	137
Source no. 1: Thai Meteorological Department
Source no. 2: Hong Kong Observatory

Demographics

Official Population count: According to the Thailand National Statistical Office, as of September 2010, Chiang Rai municipal district has a population of 199,699. With the spread of the city extending into neighboring districts, the metropolitan area is considered somewhat larger by local residents.

12.5% of the population belong to the hill tribes, a collective term for the minority ethnic groups in the North of Thailand such as the Karen, Akha, Lisu, Meo, and Muser. Many Chinese, particularly from Yunnan Province, have migrated to the area and assimilated with the Thai population to such extent that well over half of the large businesses in northern Thailand are owned by people of Chinese heritage.^{[citation needed]}

Government

Chiang Rai City is the capital of Changwat Chiang Rai.

The City Hall 19°54.805′N 99°49.615′E holds the Provincial Offices.

The Thetsaban holds the Municipal Offices 19°54′34″N 99°49′39″E.

Buddhist temples

• Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong, 19°54.970′N 99°49.365′E
• Wat Phra Kaeo, 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
• Chedi Doi Trimoorati,.Map

Tourist attractions in or near Chiang Rai town

• Night Bazaar is a night market, located in the middle of downtown, Chiangrai. A place for souvenirs and local products, with free cultural performances. Also more than forty restaurants.
• Saturday Night Walking Street just north of downtown. Hundreds of local folks display their crafts and food. Includes local dance and showcase displays.

Tourist attractions further afield, within Chiang Rai province

• Princess Mother Hall and Doi Mae Salong Located about 70 km northwest of Chiang Rai accessed by a scenic, and sometimes quite steep, road from Mae Chan. In Mae Salong there is a museum of the Kuomintang and their plight after exiled from China by Mao Zedong, and subsequently forced to leave Burma from where they entered Thailand, helping at times to fight the Communists.
• Doi Tung Royal Villa is the final residence of the mother of the King of Thailand, known as the Princess Mother. It is 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 a large flower-filled garden, and a memorial hall commemorating the Princess Mother.
• Doi Tung Zoo and another zoo 25 km south of town, just off of the old road to Chiang Mai. Besides a decent collection of animals, it has an entire section dedicated to birds, most of which are colorful flightless types.
• Phu Chi Fa
• The Gate of Siam is a location on the border with Laos where one can stand high up on a mountain with Laos directly in front and the mighty Mekong River flowing beneath.
• Saun Mai Ngam Park Many beautiful trees and flowers. Some are more than 100 years old. This is a place where Chiang Rai Flower festival is held at the end of every year.

Education

Colleges and universities

• Mae Fah Luang University
• Chiang Rai Rajabhat University
• Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Rai Campus

High Schools

• Samakkhi Witthayakhom School 19°54.314′N 99°49.598′E
• Damrongratsongkroh School
• Chiang Rai International Christian School 19°57.022′N 99°49.893′E
• Chiang Rai International School

Primary Schools

• Bansonkong School 19°54.045′N 99°49.671′E
• Piti Suksa Montessori School 19°55.400′N 99°49.950′E
• AMEC Bi-Lingual school, Chiang Rai [1]

Hospitals

• Overbrook Hospital (Semi-Private) Easy access from city center, modern facility founded 1903 by Dr. Joseph Kampol, a missionary hospital, current president Dr. Ploum.
• Kasemrad Sriburin General Hospital (Private, and comparatively better quality)^{[citation needed]}
• Chiang Rai Prachanukhro Hospital (Public)

Transportation

Route 1 runs from Bangkok through Chiang Rai to Mae Sai on the Burma border. Chiang Rai is 839 kilometers from Bangkok, about 14 hours by car or by bus. According to official bus schedules, the bus ride to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai takes approximately an hour and 30 minutes, however the 175 km trip most often takes at least two and a half hours. All of these times should take into account the rainy season which lasts from about June to late October, this can severely inhibit travel with road sections often completely flooded and even washed out.

Several flights are available to and from Bangkok daily. Chiang Rai International Airport flight time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are several major operators including Thai airways, Air Asia, Nok air and One to go.

There is scheduled boat service between Chiang Rai and Thaton in Chiang Mai province daily this journey will last about 3–4 hours and is a pleasant alternative to the bus ride through the mountains.

There are currently no rail services to Chiang Rai as the railway line from Bangkok ends at Chiang Mai. There have been talks of extending the rail line from Den Chai to Chiang Rai in the near future, but this is unlikely to happen as the city's population is well below 1 million and there aren't as many international tourists visiting Chiang Rai as Chiang Mai. Also there are no major industrial complexes in the region as it is largely a rural economy.^{[citation needed]}

External links

• Chiang Rai travel guide from Wikitravel
• Chiangrai Times Provincial and local news for Chiang Rai (English language)