CHIANG RAI PROVINCE

'Chiang Rai' () is the most northern province (''changwat'') of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are (from east clockwise) Phayao, Lampang and Chiang Mai. In the north it borders Shan State of Myanmar and Bokeo and Oudomxai of Laos.

Contents

Geography

History

Demographics

Symbols

Administrative divisions

External links

Geography

The average elevation of the province is 580 m. The north of the province belongs to the so-called ''Golden Triangle'', at which the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar converge - an area which was very unsafe because of the drug smuggling across the borders. The Mekong river forms the boundary with Laos, the Mae Sai and Ruak River to Myanmar. Through the town of Chiang Rai itself flows the Kok River.
While the eastern part of the province is relatively flat river plains, the western part consists of mountainous terrain. While not the highest elevation of the province, the 1322 m high Doi Tung (''Flag hill'') is the most important hill. The Wat Phra That Doi Tung temple on top of the hill according to the chronicles dates back to the year 911. Nearby is the Doi Tung royal villa, former residence of princess mother Somdej Phra Srinagarindra. Thanks to her activities the hills were reforested, and the hill tribes changed from growing poppy to other crops.

History

Chiang Rai became a province in 1910, after being part of the kingdom of Lannathai for centuries. After Lannathai was incorporated into Thailand, it stayed an autonomous region and thus the Chiang Rai area was administered from Chiang Mai.

Demographics

12.5% of the population belong to the hill tribes, a minority in the North of Thailand.

Symbols

Provincial seal

The seal of the province shows a white elephant, the royal symbol. It remembers that Chiang Rai was founded by King Mengrai, according to the legend because his elephant liked the place.The provincial tree is the Tree Jasmine (''Radermachera ignea''), and the provincial flower is the Orange Trumpet (''Pyrostegia venusta''). Orange trumpet The provincial slogan says: "เหนือสุดในสยาม อร่ามดอยตุง ผดุงวัฒนธรรม รสล้ำข้าวสาร หอมหวานลิ้นจี่ สตรีโสภา ชาเลิศรส สัปปะรดนางแล" ''Northernmost in Siam, beautiful Doi Tung, repository of culture, most delicious rice, sweet and fragrant litchi, beautiful women, the finest flavored tea, pineapple from Nang-Lae (,source of the Giant Catfish).''

or "เหนือสุดในสยาม ชายแดนสามแผ่นดิน ถิ่นวัฒนธรรมล้านนา ล้ำค่าพระธาตุดอยตุง"
''Farthest north in Siam, intersection of three reigns, home to the culture of Lanna''

Administrative divisions

The province is subdivided in 16 districts (''Amphoe'') and two minor districts (''King Amphoe''). These are further subdivided into 124 communes (''tambon'') and 1510 villages (''muban'').

''Amphoe''		''King Amphoe''
#Mueang Chiang Rai#Wiang Chai#Chiang Khong#Thoeng#Phan#Pa Daet#Mae Chan#Chiang Saen	Mae Sai Mae Suai Wiang Pa Pao Phaya Mengrai Wiang Kaen Khun Tan Mae Fa Luang Mae Lao	Wiang Chiang Rung Doi Luang

External links

★ Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand

★ Chiang Rai provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp