Planning a Trip

Getting There

By Plane -- Thai Airways (tel. 02356-1111 in Bangkok; www.thaiair.com) has two daily flights from Don Mueang, Bangkok, and one daily from Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok to Chiang Rai (flying time: 85 min.). Thailand's many budget carriers, Air Asia (tel. 05392-2170; www.airasia.com), Nok Air (tel. 05392-2183 or tel. 1318; www.nokair.com), and One-Two-GO (tel. 05392-2159; www.fly12go.com) all make regular connections.

Chiang Rai International Airport (tel. 05379-3048) is about 10km (6 miles) north of town. There is a bank exchange open daily 9am to 5pm and a gift shop. Taxis hover outside and charge 150B (US$4.30/£2.30) to town and more to other towns in the province.

By Bus -- Three air-conditioned VIP 24-seat buses leave daily from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (tel. 02936-2852) to Chiang Rai (trip time: 11 hr.; 900B/US$26/£14). Buses leave hourly between 6am and 5:30pm from Chiang Mai's Arcade Bus Terminal (tel. 05324-2664; trip time: 3 1/2 hr.; 77B/US$2.20/£1.20 non-air-conditioned; 139B/US$4/£2.15 air-conditioned). Chiang Rai's Khon Song Bus Terminal (tel. 05371-1369) couldn't be more conveniently located -- on Phrasopsook Road off Phaholyothin Road near the Night Market just in the center of town. Tuk-tuks and samlors are easy to catch here for trips around town for 30B to 60B (86¢-US$1.70/45p-90p).

By Car -- The fast, not particularly scenic, route from Bangkok is Highway 1 North, direct to Chiang Rai. A slow, attractive approach on blacktop mountain roads is Route 107 north from Chiang Mai to Fang, and then Route 109 east to Highway 1.

Visitor Information

The TAT (tel. 05374-4674) is located at 448/16 Singhakai Rd., near Wat Phra Singh on the north side of town, and the Tourist Police are next door. The monthly guide Welcome to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai is distributed free by most hotels and has a good, reliable map of the town.

Orientation

Chiang Rai is a small city, with most services grouped around the main north-south street, Phaholyothin Road. There are three noteworthy landmarks: the small clock tower in the city's center; the statue of King Mengrai (the city's founder) at the northeast corner of the city on the superhighway to Mae Chan; and the Mae Kok River at the north edge of town. Singhakai Road is the main artery on the north side of town, parallel to the river. The bus station is on Prasopsuk Road, 1 block east of Phaholyothin Road, near the Wiang Inn Hotel. The Night Market is on Phaholyothin Road near the bus station.

Getting Around

By Samlor or Tuk-Tuk -- You'll probably find walking to be the best way to get around town. However, there are samlors (pedicabs) parked outside the Night Market and on the banks of the Mae Kok River; they charge 20B to 30B (57¢-86¢/30p-45p) for in-town trips. During the day, there are tuk-tuks, which charge 30B to 60B (86¢-US$1.70/45p-90p) for in-town trips.

By Bus -- Chiang Rai's frequent local buses are the easiest and cheapest way to get to nearby cities. All leave from the bus station (tel. 05371-1369) on Prasopsuk Road near the Wiang Inn Hotel.

By Motorcycle -- Motorcycling is another good way to get out of town. Soon Motorcycle, 197/2 Trirat Rd. (tel. 05371-4068), charges 200B (US$5.70/£3.10) for a 100cc motorbike.

By Car -- Budget has a branch at the Golden Triangle Inn, 590 Phaholyothin Rd. (tel. 05374-0442), offering the standard rate beginning at 2,000B (US$57/£31) for a Suzuki Caribbean.

Fast Facts

Several bank exchanges are located on Phaholyothin Road in the center of town and are open daily from 8:30am to 10pm. The post office is 2 blocks north of the Clock Tower on Utarakit Road. There are a few Internet cafes along the main drag, Phaholyothin Road, with service for as little as 30B (86¢/45p) per hour.