Chiang Rai

From Free net encyclopedia

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

Image:Chiangrai-map-with-walls-gates-14ptb.png

Nakhon Chiang Rai (Thai เชียงราย; also Xieng Hai) is a city in Amphoe Mueang, Chiang Rai Province in northern Thailand.

Contents 1 Geography 2 Demographics 3 Government 4 History 5 Buddhist temples 6 Schools 6.1 Colleges and universities 6.2 High schools 6.3 Primary Schools 7 Hospitals 8 Transportation 9 External link

Geography

Geographical location Template:Coor dm. Nakhon Chiang Rai is 200 km NE of Nakhon Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Province; 62 km S of Mae Sai and the Burmese border; 60 km SW of Chiang Saen on the Mae Khong across from the PDR of Laos; and 90 km N of Nakhon Phayao, Phayao Province.

Demographics

Population 62,000.

Government

Chiang Rai is the capital of Chiang Rai Province.

The Salaklang Changwat Template:Coor dm holds the Provincial Offices.

The Municipal Offices are in the Thesaban Template:Coor dm.

History

The city was founded by King Mengrai in 1262 and became the first capital of the Lannathai kingdom. However, it lost this status soon after to a new city built by Mengrai at Chiang Mai.

In 1432 the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most revered Buddha figure, was discovered in Chiang Rai, when an earthquake split the Chedi at Wat Phra Kaeo. The beautiful jade figure was then seen concealed within.

Buddhist temples

• Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong, Template:Coor dm
• Wat Phra Kaew, Chiang Rai, Template:Coor dm
• Wat Phra Sing, Chiang Rai, Template:Coor dm
• Wat Doi Khao Khwai, Template:Coor dm
• Wat Rong Khun, a modern temple built since 1998 by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat

Schools

Colleges and universities

• Mae Fah Luang University english
• Chiang Rai Rajabhat University

High schools

• Samakkhi Wittayakom School Template:Coor dm

Primary Schools

• Bansonkong School Template:Coor dm

Hospitals

• Overbrook Hospital (Semi-Private)
• Sriburin Hospital (Private)
• Chiang Rai Regional Hospital (Public)

Transportation

Route 1 runs from Bangkok through Chiang Rai to Mae Sai on the Burmese border. Chiang Rai is 839 kilometers from Bangkok, about 11 hours by car or by bus.

Several flights are available to and from Bangkok daily. Chiang Rai International Airport

There is a scheduled boat service between Chiang Rai and Tha Ton in Chiang Mai daily.

There is no train service to Chiang Rai. The rail line from Bangkok ends at Chiang Mai.

External link

• Template:Wikitravelde:Chiang Rai

fr:Chiang Rai ja:チエンラーイ nl:Chiang Rai (stad) no:Chiang Rai zh:清萊