NORTH
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is located at the northern tip of Thailand,
bordering Mynmar (Burma) on the north and Laos on the east. Of its area of
11,678 square kms more than three quarters are mountains.
Chiang Rai, founded in 1262 by King Mengrai, is among the
oldest town of Thailand. On a site protected by the Kok River an by three
small hills. Its strategic location near the border made it an important
trading center but also ensured that it would suffer during the frequent
wars between Thailand and Burma; for a long period during the 19th century
it was more or less abandoned, with only a few hundred families remaining
within the old city walls. Prosperity returned slowly - as late as 1970, it
had a population of only around 10,000 and has had strong visible effect
only in recent years.
Attractions
Phra That Doi Tung A temple containing the left
collar bone of the Buddha on top of the 1,364 m. Doi Tung (highest in Chiang
Rai), is a most important place of worship for Buddhists in the North. There
, on a clear day, one can have a breathtaking panorama of the border areas.
About 7 km from the temple is a beautiful royal residence built for the late
Princess Mother in celebration of her 90th birthday in 1990. The road
leading up to the hillside palace is wide and smooth.
Goldern Triangle Located 9 km to the north of
Chiang Saen is the world-famous place where the borders of Thailand, Burma
adn Laos meet. You can stand at the very point where the Ruak River from
Burma flows into the Mekong, to take a fine view of the rice fields and the
distant mountains.
Hilltribes Several hilltribes live in the
mountainous areas around Chiang Rai, Mae Chan, Mae Sai and along the Kok
River. Each group has its own language, costume, customs, and religious
beliefs. The largest centre is located on the way to Mae Salong.
Mae Sai on Burmese Border Mae Sai, the
northernmost town of Thailand, is frequented by both Thai and foreign
tourists, who come to see the sights and to buy jade and other precious
stones produced in Burma.
Rafting Down the Mae Kok The 130-km-long Mae Kok
is reputed as among the most scenic and unspoiled rivers still existing in
the world today. It takes 3 days and 2 nights to cover the 80-km distance by
raft from the Ton of Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai town.
