Mueang Chiang Rai (;
dialect: Mueang Chiang Hai;
Lao: Mueang Xieng Hai) is a
city in
Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai,
Changwat Chiang Rai, a northernmost
Changwat of
Thailand.
History
Sadue Mueang, Omphalos of the City
The city was founded by King
Mangrai in
1262 and became the capital of the Mangrai dynasty. However, it lost this status soon after to a new city built by
Mangrai at
Chiang Mai. 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.
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 (), the Navel or
Omphalos of the City.
Geography
Chiang Rai City is 200
kilometres northeast of
Chiang Mai City, Changwat Chiang Mai; 62 kilometres south of
Amphoe Mae Sai and the
Myanmar border; 60 kilometres southwest of
Amphoe Chiang Saen on the
Mae Khong across from the People's Democratic Republic of
Laos; and 90 kilometres north of
Phayao City,
Changwat Phayao.
The Mae
Kok River runs along its north side, flowing from west to east and eventually merging with the
Mekong River.
Demographics
Population 62,000.
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.
Government
Chiang Rai City is the capital of
Changwat Chiang Rai.
The
City Hall holds the Provincial Offices.
The Thetsaban holds the Municipal Offices .
Buddhist temples
Tourist attractions
- 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.
- 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.
Education
Colleges and universities
High Schools
Primary Schools
- [ http://www.amecschool.in.th ]
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.
- 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.
Several flights are available to and from Bangkok daily.
Chiang Rai International Airport flight time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
There is scheduled boat service between Chiang Rai and
Thaton in Chiang Mai province daily.
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 isn't as many international tourists visiting Chiang Rai as Chiang Mai.
