Chiang Rai Province

Chiang Rai, since the 7th century, became the center of the Lanna Thai Kingdom during the 13th century. The region, rich in natural resources and textiles, was occupied by the Burmese until 1786. After being part of the Kingdom of Lannathai for centuries, it was incorporated into Thailand and became an autonomous region.

Chiang Rai's Golden Triangle, bordering Laos and Burma, was once the hub of opium prodcution which had much influence on cultural practices and lifestyles.
Geographically, while the eastern part of the province is characterized by relatively flat river plains, the norhtern and western part consist of the mountainous terrain of the Hills of Northern Thailand with the Khun Tan Range and the Phi Pan Nam Range in the west and Daen Lao Range in the North. Wat Phra That Doi Tung on top of Doi Tung dated back to the year 911.

---

Day 5
Drove from Chiang Mai after visited Mae Sa Elephant Camp

Wat Rong Khun
Dropped by this beautiful temple on the way to downtown
Chiang Rai

Laluna Resort and Spa
By the time we arrived in downtown Chiang Rai, it was already late and we called it a day early to rest in our comfortable resort.

Day 6
Checked out from Laluna Resort and Spa and headed up north towards the border of Thailand and Myanmar.

Passed by Cheang Sean and visited this ancient temple - Wat Chedi Luang.

Arrived in the town of Sop Ruak in the Golden Triangle to see the river where the 3 countries meet

Visited this ancient temple on top of a hill called Wat Phra That Pu Kao.

 Finally visited the border town of Thailand and Myanmar, Mae Sai, the Northernmost city in Thailand.

En route to our hotel for the night, we dropped by a hilltribe village of the Yaos or Miens.

Checked into Khunmai Baan Suan in Tha Ton, a subdistrict of the Chiang Mai Province.