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City guide

Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is the northernmost major city in Thailand, with a population of approximately 70,000 people. It is located in Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai Province.

Type CityPopulation 70,000

Why go

  • City in Thailand.
  • Served by Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI).

History

Chiang Rai is the northernmost major city in Thailand, with a population of approximately 70,000 people. It is located in Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai Province. Chiang Rai was established as a capital during the reign of King Mangrai, in 1262 CE. Chiang Rai is recognized as a "Design City" by UNESCO's Creative Cities Network.

Restaurants & places to go

IROHA Ramen & Izakaya Chiang Rai - อิโรฮะ ราเมง & อิซากายะ เชียงราย
Japanese, Restaurant · Features: takeaway, delivery, step-free access, air conditioning · facebook.com
Indoor
KFC
Chicken, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · kfc.co.th
Indoor
McDonald's
Burger, Fast Food · Features: takeaway, vegetarian options, air conditioning · mcthai.co.th
Indoor
The Pizza Company
Pizza, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · 1112.com
Indoor
ฟูจิ
Japanese, Restaurant · Features: takeaway, step-free access · fuji.co.th
Indoor
โอชิเน เชียงราย
Japanese, Restaurant · Features: air conditioning · facebook.com
Indoor
MK Restaurants
Thai, Restaurant · Thai restaurant · mkrestaurant.com
Indoor
A.NA cuisine & coffee
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:30-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · 51 หมู่ 6, ตำบลสันทราย, 57000 · facebook.com
Indoor

292 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI) 7.4 km to the centre
Chiang Rai, 57, TH — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 11 airlines (All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Bangkok Airways, China Eastern Airlines…) · direct flights to 3 destinations incl. Bangkok, Bangkok, Kunming (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 11 airlines, 3 direct destinations
  • All Nippon Airways NH (734) · 1 route: Bangkok*
  • Asiana Airlines OZ (734) · 1 route: Bangkok*
  • Bangkok Airways PG (A320) · 1 route: Bangkok
  • China Eastern Airlines MU (737) · 1 route: Kunming
  • Japan Airlines Domestic JL (734) · 1 route: Bangkok*
  • KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (A320) · 1 route: Bangkok*
  • Malaysia Airlines MH (A320) · 1 route: Bangkok*
  • Nok Air DD (737-800) · 1 route: Bangkok
  • Qantas QF (A320) · 1 route: Bangkok*
  • Thai AirAsia FD (A320) · 1 route: Bangkok
  • Thai Airways International TG (734) · 1 route: Bangkok

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor

Getting there by ferry

Ferry terminal
Ferry terminal · 1.9 km from the centre
Outdoor
เชียงราย - ท่าตอน
Ferry route
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: CEI has direct flights to 3 destinations on 11 airlines (incl. Bangkok, Bangkok, Kunming). By water: 1 ferry terminal within 20 km; routes include เชียงราย - ท่าตอน.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Chiang Rai. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

State Railway of Thailand
National rail

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Air Charter Service
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
ExecuJet
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Flexjet
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Global Jet
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Jet Aviation
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.