Golden Triangle (สามเหลี่ยมทองคำ)

The Golden Triangle is one of Asia's two main illicit opium-producing areas. It is an area of around 350,000 square kilometers that overlaps the mountains of four countries of Southeast Asia: Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand.

The Golden Triangle also designates the confluence of the Ruak River and the Mekong river, since the term has been appropriated by the Thai tourist industry to describe the nearby junction of Thailand, Laos, and Burma. A very active commercial area with plenty of river traffic and merchants from Yunan Province in China.

Songkran Festival and Boat Races of Mueang Chiang Saen (งานประเพณีสงกรานต์และแข่งเรือเมืองเชียงแสน) is held during 13-18 April of each year. In this festival, there is a parade, water bathing ceremony of the Phrachao Lanthong Buddha image, boat races and folk performances.

Hotels in Golden Triangle

Mae Sai  (อำเภอแม่สาย)

Mae Sai is the northernmost district of Chiang Rai Province. Mae Sai is a center of jade trading and if you are interested you can visit some of the workshops to see the jade in its raw state and the methods that are used to process it. As well it is a major border crossing between Thailand and Myanmar, which Asian Highway Network AH2 (Thailand Route 1 or Phahonyothin Road) crossing the Mae Sai River to the town Tachileik in Myanmar. One-day passes for non-Burmese nationals are issued at Burma customs in Tachileik, passports are kept and a temporary travel permit is issued which is exchanged for your passport upon crossing back into Thailand. Every day, a steady stream of commuters crosses the bridge that marks the borders and Thai consumer goods into Northern Burma.

It is a matter of just 2 minutes but in these 2 minutes you enter an entirely different world. The atmosphere is remarkably different from the one in Thailand. Hire a Burmese rickshaw driver to take you around Tachilek and inspect the temples and markets. There are lots of shops that offer Burmese specialties like longyis (sarong-like skirts), Cheroots (Burmese cigars) or lacquer ware.

Hotels in Mae Sai

Chiang Saen (เชียงแสน)

Is a district in the northern part of Chiang Rai Province. The town of Chiang Saen is quite small, located next to the Mekong river and close to the famous "Golden Triangle" border area with Myanmar and Laos.

Traces of old double fortification walls and many other antiquities still remain in and outside the district town, as remnants of the former glory of the city.

The attractions include Chiang Saen National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติเชียงแสน), Wat Phra That Chedi Luang (วัดพระธาตุเจดีย์หลวง) and Wat Pa Sak (วัดป่าสัก).

Songkran Festival and Boat Races of Mueang Chiang Saen (งานประเพณีสงกรานต์และแข่งเรือเมืองเชียงแสน) is held during 13-18 April of each year. In this festival, there is a parade, water bathing ceremony of the Phrachao Lanthong Buddha image, boat races and folk performances.

Hotels in Chiang Saen

Mae Fa Luang (แม่ฟ้าหลวง)

Is a district in the northern part of Chiang Rai Province. Nestled between Mae Chan, Mae Sai and The Union of Myanmar, Mae Fah Luang is mainly known for its Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park (Rai Mae Fah Luang) which is located at Pa Ngiw Village, about 5 kilometers from the city center. The garden is a park cum museum preserving Lanna cultural objects, under supervision of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation.

As well Doi Tung (ดอยตุง) is a revered mountain which includes the Doi Tung Palace and the Mae Fa Luang Flower Garden. The Wat Phra That Doi Tung Holy Relic, an old religious site on top of the mountain, is about 2,000 metres above sea level.

Not to be missed is Buatong Ban or Blooming Mexican Sunflower Festival (งานเทศกาลดอกบัวตองบาน) which takes place in November, allowing people the opportunity to see the sunflower fields in full bloom, and enjoy waterfalls and mist at Ban Hua Mae Kham, Amphoe Mae Fa Luang.

Hotels in Mae Fah Luang

Mae Chan (แม่จัน)

Is a district in the northern part of Chiang Rai Province The district was created as the successor of Mueang Chiang Saen. The original center of the Mueang later became part of the minor district Chiang Saen Luang, so in 1939 this minor district was renamed to Chiang Saen, while the district Chiang Saen itself was renamed to Mae Chan.

The District is mainly consisting of verdant forests and hilly sceneries. It is located between Chiang Rai city, Mae Sai and Doi Mae Salong.

There are still ruins of antiquity to be discovered that offer glimpses of the beauty and magnificence of the 800-year old Lanna civilization that time forgot.

Most popular in the area though are the numerous shops selling fabric made in the ancient art of traditional weaving.

Hotels in Mae Chan

Mae Suai (แม่สรวย)

Is a district in the western part of Chiang Rai Province. Neighboring districts are (from the northeast clockwise) Mueang Chiang Rai, Mae Lao, Phan, Wiang Pa Pao, Phrao Chai Prakan, Fang, Mae Ai of Chiang Mai Province. A true natural resort area in Chiang Rai Province. One can relax and unwind amidst tropical and botanical garden or explore nearby natural attraction such as :

Doi Chang : one of the largest coffee grown community in Thailand. It is also known for being the agricultural research center in Chiang Rai. A perfect spot for sightseeing, along the way uphill, there will be series of coffee plantations, macadamia, and all kinds of seasonal fruits, which these products will be distributed throughout the country.

Doi Wawi : a long-established Chinese community in the Northern part of Thailand. Tea drinking has become an important part of the culture, and the process of planting tea is a must do ritual passing on generations to generations. Manual Tea picking can be observed widely. Visiting Doi Wawi is a chance to learn about the lifestyles of different traditional tribes.

Hotels in Mae Suay

Chiang Rai International Airport (สนามบินนานาชาติ เชียงราย)

(IATA: CEI, ICAO: VTCT) is located about 8 kilometers from the city center of Chiang Rai. Since 1998 it is managed by the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT).

Access to the airport is available from an access road linking the airport with Phahonyothin Road, which leads to the city and towns further north.

Although its name is Chiang Rai International Airport, and even though it has facilities for international flights, it is yet to service any international carriers - but it does handle immigration from THAI flights connecting from international cities (eg. Melbourne - Bangkok - Chiang Rai).

It is though serviced by domestic flights from either Thai Airways, Thai Air Asia and SGA Airlines. As well it is the gateway to Northern Laos via Chiang Khong (Houaixai) border crossing

Hotels near Chiangrai International Airport

There are many attractions in Chiangrai for tourist to visit.
● City Attraction such as Phra That Doi Tung, Mae Kok river, etc.
● Amphoe Mae Chan such as Hilltribe, Basin Cultural Park, etc.
● Amphoe Mae Fah Luang , Doi Mae Salong is major attractions.
● Doi Tung , Akha Village located on the way to the summit.
● Amphoe Mae Sai such as Tham Phayanak, Tham Pha Chom, etc.
● Amphoe Chiang Saen such as Golden Triangle, Lake, etc.
● Amphoe Chiang Khong such as Baan Haad Klai, etc.
● Amphoe Chiang Wiang Kaen , Doi Pa Tang this scenic mountain location hosts Chinese, Hmong and Yao ethnic minorities.
● Doi Luang National Park A major attraction is the Phu Kaeng Waterfall. Amphoe Phan.

An extensive network of trails for trekking, mainly used by hill tribe villagers covers the mountain areas of Mae Suai, Mae Salong, Doi Chang and the banks along the Mae Kok River. Santiburi Country Club is one of the best courses in the country and is only 15 minutes from the city. Mountain Biking is also very popular in Chiang Rai with its incredible network of paved roads with little traffic and dirt roads in the mountains.

Long Tail Boat rides on the Kok River is a fun way to experience the scenery and see hill tribe villages. Last but not least Elephant riding is possible at Baan Ruamit, about 30 minutes from Chiang Rai by car or 1 hour by long tail boat ride.

Wai Sa Phaya Mengrai or Phokhun Mengrai Maharat Festival is held from January 23 – February 1. The Buang Suang worshipping ceremony is to commemorate Phokhun Mengrai Maharat. Dok Siao Ban or Blooming Siao Flower Festival at Phu Chi Fa is held during 13-15 February. There are sports competitions and cultural performances from hilltribes at Ban Rom Fa Thai in Amphoe Thoeng. Lichi Fair is held around the middle of May every year. There is a float competition, Lichi beauty contest and booths of many products at the provincial stadium of Chiang Rai. Chiang Rai Flower Festival is held during the end of December to January every year. There are flower processions, flower gardens, Miss Thinn Thai Ngarm Contest and also the fair of agricultural products and the variety of flowers.