Mun Wai travels to charming Chiang Rai in Thailand to discover its secrets.

1. Travel: Chiang Rai
C harming
Chiang Rai
When in Thailand’s northernmost Chiang Rai,
do like WONG MUN WAI and get out and
about to soak in the cool surrounds.
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2. T
he sky was turning to
dusk, with golden hues
fast staining the blue,
as our coach rolled in
to the capital Chiang
Rai, in Thailand’s northernmost
province also named Chiang Rai.
After the almost three-hour journey
from Chiang Mai, our coach pulled
up to the entrance of the swanky
Le Meridien. Set along the Mae Kok
River, the 159-room hotel boasts
generously-sized rooms, with the
smallest measuring 53 sq m, and
balcony views that scan a private
lake, lush lawns and the river –
setting the tone for a great time
within the hotel’s interior and out
and around the province.
Chiang Rai is a destination
with a holiday personality all its
own, offering plenty of activities
to indulge everyone from the
hammock-inclined to the adventure
seeker.
Founded in 1262 by King Meng Rai,
Chiang Rai was the fi rst capital of
the Lanna Thai Kingdom (Kingdom
of a million rice fi elds), and later
conquered by Burma. Thailand had
to wait until 1786 before Chiang
Rai became a Thai territory, and in
1910, it was proclaimed a province
during the reign of King Rama VI.
Chiang Rai is a destination
with a holiday personality all
its own, offering plenty of
activities to indulge everyone
from the hammock-inclined to
the adventure seeker.
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3. Travel: Chiang Rai
Doi Tung Royal Villa’s concrete Not too far away from the Royal
exterior is decorated with Villa, the Mae Fah Luang
To savour a slice of wood slabs cut from discarded Garden, in the compound of
royalty, make your teak trees while the interior, the Doi Tung Pavillion, beckons.
which invites a steady breeze, is A serene scene of lush rolling
way to the Doi panelled with recycled pinewood hills over 10 acres and a variety of
from crates that carried fl owers in the foreground reward
Tung Royal Villa. imported tools and equipment. those taking a stop in their step.
Nestled high up
Gaze heavenwards for one of the The most northern point in
amidst greenery, the Royal Villa’s highlights – the Thailand, Mai Sai is a short
spacious Royal Villa ceiling in the main hall features distance away from the Thai-
a handcrafted wood inlay of Myanmar border. The main road
was built with the late the Princess Mother’s favourite leading up to the border is a hive
Princess Mother’s own constellations. Lightbulbs, of activity, lined with shops, and
standing in for stars, in the fi lle with locals and curious
d
private funds, and she centre of the ceiling show the tourists. Mai Sai is famous for
considered it her first constellations’ position on its gem market, with a precious
October 21, 1900, the birth display of Myanmar-mined rubies,
real home in Thailand. date of the Princess Mother. emeralds and jade for sale.
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4. Getting Around
A sâamláw (three-wheeled pedicab) ride in the
centre of Chiang Rai should set you back 30B
($1.30). A Túk-túk ride costs double. You can
also rent motorbikes from guesthouses. At ST
Motorcycle, motorbikes rental is from 150B
a day ($6.50) and bicycles are available for rent
from 60 to 100B a day ($2.60 to $4.34). You
may also like to consider renting motorbikes
from Goodwill Motorcycle Hire/Joe’s
Bike Team, Dang Hire Bike or C & P
Service. Car rental is available from several
companies near Wang Come Hotel at about
If you fancy a whiff of opium history, make your 1,200B a day ($52).
way to the infamous Golden Triangle where
the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet
at the confl uence of the Mekong and Nam Ruak Best Time t o Visit
rivers. Known to the Thais as Sop Ruak, visitors In the north, winter starts in November and
can also spend some time in the area marvelling ends in February. These are the best months
at the impressive giant Golden Buddha, built to for a visit to the North and Northeast - flowers
commemorate the Queen’s 72nd birthday. are in full bloom, it is dry and cool, with mist-
wrapped mountains for a visually stunning
Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White experience.
Temple and best viewed under the glow of
moonlight, is about fi e kilometres south
v Shopping
of Chiang Rai. The temple was designed by Chiang Rai’s night market, near the bus station,
Thailand’s famous artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. starts in the early evening until about 11pm.
The construction, supervised by the artist, started Fake copies of branded designer goods jostle
in 1998 and features a unique blend of traditional for shoppers’ attention alongside hill tribe
Buddhist art with contemporary themes. fabrics, silver, beads and needlework. lite
Mai Sai is famous for its gem market, with
a precious display of Myanmar-mined
rubies, emeralds and jade for sale.
FLIGHTS TO CHIANG RAI – prices vary depending on carrier
Thai Airways to Chiang Rai – one stopover SilkAir – two stopovers
Singapore Airlines flies – two stopovers Bangkok Airways – two stopovers
Cathay Pacific – one stopover AirAsia – two stopovers
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