Doi Tung |
Chiangrai means "The City of King Mengrai." Here is the first capital of Lanna Kingdom. It was found in 1262 by King Mengrai, 30 yearsbefore he buit Chiangmai. Later was conquered by Burma until 1786 and became Thailand's province during the reign of King Rama VI in 1910.
Chiangrai province covers some 11,678 sq.km. ,is bordered by Myanmar to the north, and Laos to the north and northeast. The provincial capital is 785 km. northof Bangkok, 180 km. northwest of Chiangmai and is 580 m. above sea level.The province contains Thailand's northernmostpoint at Maesai. The well known "Golden Triangle" in Chiangsaen, The area where the borders ofThailand, Myanmar and Laos coverge and its opium-producing activities inthe past.
Today Chiangrai is famous for its tasty lynchees and Lanna peaceful land situatedon the bank of Kok River. Welcome all tourist to the first capital of Lanna-Thai.
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King Meng Rai Monument.
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Is located on the city outskirts at the intersection of Uttakit Road and Singhakhlai Road, beside northern road ( highway No 108 ) to Maesai. To honours the monarch who founded Chiangrai in 1262. It is rarely without its incense- burning and flower-laying devotees. 
Wat Phra Tart Doi Chom Tong |
This
ancient hilltop pagada contained the relics of Lord Buddha, overlooks Mae
Kok River and predates the founding of Chiangrai in1262 as the capital of
Lanna-Thai by King Mengrai the Great. Nearby there are 108 city poles surrounding
by 5 small moats represents map of imaginatively universe ( Heaven-Earth-Hell
), the center main pole is wide 5 grasped hands and high equal to the height
of the King.
Wat Klang Wiang |
This temple was built in 1432. You can see a modern beautiful Lanna architecture and there is an old city pole in sala ( pavillion ). " Wat Klang Wiang " means " Temple at Center of the City ".
Wat Ngam Muang/ KuPhaya Mengrai
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On Ngam Muang hillock, when King Mengrai was died in 1311 at Chaingmai by accident. Chao KhunKhram, his son brough back his ashes and relics to tomb in the stupa call " Ku Phaya Mengrai ".
Wat Phra Singh
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This temple is located on Singhakhlai Road ( near T.A.T. Ofice ), is a fine example of Lanna-Thai religious architecture. The Buddha image ( Phra Singh ) now house in Chiangmai's Wat Phra Singh ( the same name) was formerly enshrined here.
Wat Phra Singh
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Located behind Wat Phra Singh on TriRat Road. This is a very old temple, we could not know what period this temple had been built and because of the place surrounding to this temple have so many yellow bamboo that have no thorn, which can be used to make bow and cross bows. In the old time local people called the name of this temple "Wat Pa Yeach " or " Wat Pa Ya " after the name of those bamboo. Untill 1434 a pagoda in the temple was strucked by lightning inside we found an emerald Buddha image call " Phra Kaew Morakot ". So people changed the name of this temple after that Buddha image as " Wat Phra Kaew " since then.
 
The Emerald Buddha
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It has been locally believed that " Phra Kaew Morakot " was constructed by god as a gift presented to Phra Naga Saen one of the holy monks of Patalibutra city (now the Ratpatana state of India). However, Phra Kaew Morakot had moved from place to place in many cities of South and Southeast Asia and at last to Bangkok, Thailand.
Now " Phra Kaew Morakot " has been situated in " Wat Phrasri Ratana Sasdaram " at Grand Palace in Bangkok, and named " Phra Buddhamaha Ratana Patimakorn ". |
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This border town faces Myanmar across the Mae Sai River, is located 62 km north of Chiangrai at the end of highway 110. Both Thai and foreign tourists come to see the sights and buy many goods from Myanmar, China and Thai. The strawberries achieve the status of a cult at the hight of the season, in mid February. They are on sale every where, not only in the town but also from stalls along the main road.
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This border town faces Myanmar across the Mae Sai River, is located 62 km north of Chiangrai at the end of highway 110. Both Thai and foreign tourists come to see the sights and buy many goods from Myanmar, China and Thai. The strawberries achieve the status of a cult at the hight of the season, in mid February. They are on sale every where, not only in the town but also from stalls along the main road.
A book I have ever read told about the Golden Triangle :
For Thais and foreigners alike, the Golden Triangle cannotes one thing, opium. Geographically designated as the area where Loas, Burma and Thailand meet the region's reputation is well-grounded in historical fact. While Thailand has been largely successful in controlling opium production within border, politic in the Golden Triangle continue to be dictated by the poppy. Drug money supplies the livelihood of hundreds of impoverished hill-tribes and is the life-blood of nearby paramilitary organizations. Increasing, a new financial force has entered the realpolitic equation-tourism. The poppy fields are all well-hidden, but tour companies still manage to entice bus-loads of tourists here with the mere hint of the Hollywood-esque drug legends. Trekkers are led to villages and convincedthat opium smoking is an intregral part of tribal culture when it is actually considered as shameful among the young and healthy as it is in the west. The scenic river and majestic views of Burma make the area enticing nevertheless. |
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| PHU CHEE FAH & DOI PHA TANG |
From Amphoe Wiang Kaen, 32 km. to Doi Pha Tang and 50 km. to Phu Chee Fah. They provide scenic views of Laos and Mae Khong River, especially in winter. (Dee to Jan) you can see the great mist ocean that is the famous highlight of these attractions. And during February is dotted with white wild flowers know as "Dok Siew" or "Dok ChongKo".
Mae Khong River
Mae Khong is a International River pass through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Kambhodia and Vietnam to chinese sea. Total distance is about 4,880 km. It is the Famous and Main vessel of Indo-China peninsula.Shing Hai - Tibet highland is it's origin, there call "Sa Ku River". Until pass through Tibet, it become "Loke Chong River". Then is called "Lan Chang River" when pass through Sipsong Punna State, last become "Mae Khong River" in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Kambhodia and Vietnam.
In Thailand, it attaches first at Amphoe Chiangsaen of Chiangrai. Over there is the famous of 3 nation borders Thailand-Myanmar-Laos, Golden Triangle to be a natural border of Thailand and Laos. And leaves from Thailand to Laos at Ubonratchathani Province. Total distance it pass Thailand is about 825 km.There are many kinds of fishes in this fresh river, especially "Pla Buek" (Mae Khong Catfish, Pangasianodon gigas) that have been seen only in Mae Khong River. It is a big titanic fish you can see at Bann Had Khrai, Amphoe Chiang Kong, Changrai when it was catched by local fisherman every year. (April to May, not through the year.) |
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Located about 45 km from Mae Chan, a mountaintop settlement known as Santi Khiri is home to descendants of Chinese Nationalist sodiers who fled to and settled in Thailand in 1940. The village they founded there soon became well known for its enchanting scenery and tranquil atmosphere. Accommodations, Restaurants, Horse-riding and Elephant trekking are other attractions there.
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This Northernmost Thai Mountain contains several spots including the Doi Tung Royal Villa, a beautiful royal residence built for the late Princess Mother in cerebration of her 90th birthday in 1990 then the Mae Fah Luang Botanical Garden where lovers of nature go to see different flora and fauna from all over the world.
And the mountaintop " Wat Phra Tart Doi Tung ", a temple containing the left collar bone of Lord Buddha is a most important place of worship for Buddhist in the North. There, on a clear day, you can have a breath-taking panorama of the Thai-Myanmar border area.
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