A new taxi-meter service began operating in Chiang Rai last week. Although taxi-meters were previously available from Chiang Rai airport and for trips outside of the city, the new service is also authorised to pick up passengers within the city limits. The taxi operators and Chiang Rai authorities say the taxi-meters will be a real [...]
Sunset in Chiang Rai
September 16, 2011 by
I took this photo of a samlor (Thai rickshaw) just as the sun was setting behind Wat Phra Singh temple in Chiang Rai. The man riding the samlor was at least 60-years-old and it is often the case in Thailand that rickshaw drivers aren’t young men. Appearances can be deceptive though because these samlor drivers [...]
White Temple, Chiang Rai (Wat Rong Khun)
February 21, 2011 by
Located just outside the city of Chiang Rai, Wat Rong Khun has become famous in Thailand as the White Temple. A unique design mixing contemporary and classic style makes this one of Thailand’s most unusual and most visually striking man-made attractions. Even for those who might consider themselves ‘templed-out’ on their trip to Thailand, this [...]
Mae Fah Luang Garden, Doi Tung, Chiang Rai
January 28, 2011 by
Located an hour’s drive north of Chiang Rai city, Mae Fah Luang Garden is a beautiful place to visit if you are in this part of northern Thailand. The landscaped gardens are sited high up on the mountain of Doi Tung and visitors are rewarded with a stunning display of plants and flowers. Set in [...]
Review: Cabbages & Condoms Restaurant, Chiang Rai
June 3, 2008 by
I visited here with my sister having spent some time at the Chiang Rai Hill Tribe Museum which is next door to the restaurant. The restaurant and museum are run by the PDA (Population and Community Development Association). Amongst other projects, the PDA has been at the forefront of family planning in Thailand and has [...]
Hill Tribe Museum, Chiang Rai
May 28, 2008 by
Many tourists visiting Chiang Rai use the city as a base for trekking and visiting the surrounding hill tribe villages. Before going to the hill tribe villages I recommend a visit to the small, but very informative museum dedicated to hill tribe culture on Thanalai Road (next door to Cabbages and Condoms restaurant). The museum [...]
Review: VIP Bus Service from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
April 7, 2008 by
There are numerous buses which ply the route between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, with varying prices according to the degree of comfort, speed and number of stops en route. The cheapest service has fans instead of air-conditioning, stops numerous times and is quite slow. At the other end of the spectrum, the VIP bus [...]
Review: Wiang Inn Hotel, Chiang Rai
April 7, 2008 by
I recently visited Chiang Rai and stayed at the Wiang Inn Hotel for 2 nights. Travelling by bus from Chiang Mai, I hadn’t pre-booked any accommodation but was looking for somewhere fairly central. The Wiang Inn is located on the main Phaholyothin Road just a few minutes walk from the night market. Reception quoted a [...]