Chiang Rai province is located in Northern Thailand, not far from the crossroads of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos borders (known as the Golden Triangle). It is not the first destination coming up to one’s mind when heading to Thailand but it is definitely worth a trip. The region is a nice destination to escape the city stress and get your dose of quiet remote countryside time. The city of Chiang Rai itself is not as interesting or charming as Chiang Mai however it’s not bad and has enough interesting sites, galleries, restaurants and bars to keep you busy for a day or two. However, the real beauty is not in the city, but out. That’s where we recommend you to spend most of your time outside of the city, in the countryside. If you drive a motorbike, you can arrange a very nice road trip in the region. Whether you prefer to stay on the main roads or go deeper in the countryside on some of the many dirt roads, you will find many villages to explore. In a lot of them you will be able to observe a very preserved and isolated rural life. There are not many “sites” to visit but definitely a lot to see in the countryside. If you don’t drive or travel with a family, you can still explore the area by arranging day or half day trips in a van or simply walk from your hotel. Chiang Rai is accessible from Singapore with a stopover in Bangkok. So we recommend going there for a minumum of 4 days (you’ll arrive in Chiang Rai around 4pm and will take a flight back around 4pm as well). The total door-to-door journey from (your home/office in) Singapore to your hotel in Chiang Rai will take you about 7 hours and 5 minutes. This estimate includes the flights, connections and taxi transfers. Transport wise, the total return trip will cost about SGD 680 for 2 persons. This estimate includes flights and taxi transfers. Once there, costs for food and drinks are very reasonable. Excursions can significantly increase your total bill if you book a minivan for the full day (approx. 100 SGD) It’s a safe destination. Medical infrastructure is not outstanding but you will be able to go easily to a decent hospital in Bangkok in case of serious problems. Roads are in excellent condition but very steep in some areas around Chiang Rai. Bring your kids along to make then breathe the fresh & clean air. Roads are in good condition and the overall environment is safe. We had a stroller (good for the city) and a baby carrier (great to explore the countryside) From Chiang Rai you can either go to Chiang Mai by land transport or take a domestic flight to Bangkok or Hat Yai. Then you can always go anywhere else in Thailand but you will have to make a stopover in Bangkok. Laos and Myanmar are closeby. They can be good options if you have more time. The late Princess Mother (Mother of the present king) Somdej Phra Srinagarindra played a big role in the region. Thanks to her, the hills were reforested, and the population stropped growing opium poppies and started other crops such as coffee, tea, pineapples, etc. The region is still a hot spot for drug smuggling between Myanmar, Laos and Thailand and you may see a few police checkpoints on the road. However the area is very safe. There are no direct flights from Singapore. You will need to take a connecting flight through Bangkok. You can fly from Singapore Changi Airport to Chiang Rai airport (CEI) with either AirAsia or Thai. We did go with Air Asia and really recommend it as the transfer in Bangkok (DMK) is very smooth. Getting there: Air Asia – Singapore to Bangkok: 10:55 AM SIN – 12:20 PM DMK (2h25 flight), connection in airport is 1h40 then Bangkok (DMK) to Chiang Rai (CEI) 1:55 PM– 3:15 PM (1h20 flight) Get your ticket NOW to enjoy the best fares. The airport is small. Taxis are available at the airport. You will need about 15 minutes to reach the city center and it will cost about THB 200 per taxi. Taxi meter if you manage to negotiate one will be cheaper. We stayed in 3 different hotels during our stay. That’s too many (remember, I hate packing 😉 however, we recommend you to split your stay into 2: one in the city and one in the countryside. If you wish to explore the small city for 1 or 2 days, we recommend you to find a hotel in the city center. If you stay outside the city, chances are you’ll get lazy and won’t visit the city center. We stayed in Naga Hill Resort 20min drive up North. but don’t recommend it. Overall, not a great experience nor location so we would recommend you find another one in the city center. For your country side escape however we highly recommend you to stay at Manee Dheva Resort & Spa. This is amazing hotel. In the middle of nowhere and in the very middle of rice paddies. 100% Nature, chic and comfortable. The food is delicious (except for the breakfast that is disappointing) and food prices very reasonable. The hotel is 45 min away further North from the airport (getting there by private car will cost you 800 THB, the hotel the transfer). If you go there in the cold season (January, February, March), take along fleece jacket & warm clothes as the common area as the restaurant is open air as well as the bathroom and it is freezing cold at night (but the staff will light some small charcoal pots to warm you up while you are dining). Here we need to give credit to Romain and his podcast Sur les routes de l’Asie as it’s in his Episode 35 (in French) about the Minority tribes in Northern Thailand that we heard about that wonderful hotel. Thank you Romain and Ghuilem (who is the main speaker on that episode). We also stayed in a crazy hotel: Phu Chaisai Mountain Resort & Spa, in the mountain minutes away from the Manee Dheva. It’s a crazy hotel because it’s completely in the jungle on steep hills and most of the buildings are made of bamboo. Amazing flowers and nice view from the little terrace. Hundreds of statues, fishes, flowers… There is a pool and spa. Rooms are nice and clean, but can make you feel a bit claustrophobic because of their design. Facilities are a bit chaotic. The restaurant is really disappointing. Thai food in particular was really bad. The hotel can arrange some day or half day tours to go see elephants or trail in the jungle. Overall mixed feelings about our stay there. A really original hotel (maybe a bit too original to our taste). or, if you prefer, you can book with
If you have time you can get a hint of Chiang Rai city and spend 1 or 2 days there. Then you must go further away and enjoy the countryside. A few ideas of things to do and see: If you only stay few days, you should chose if you want to head North, East, West or South from Chiang Rai . Most of the places are 1h30 drive or more away. It is not really worth driving for hours in the hills as attraction sites are not outstanding, we recommend not spending most of your time in the car but hiking across the rice paddies and the dirt path leading to small hill tribes’ villages. Ask your hotel the nearby hiking trails. That will be the best way to enjoy your stay. Wifi is available in most restaurants and hotels. That’s the one you leave at the hotel. Ideally you want to avoid checking in your luggage when flying. So check the weight and dimensions for hand carry luggage with your airlines (some airlines will allow only 7kg, some will allow up to 10kg). From head to toes. That’s the one you keep with you, all the time. Hence, a backpack is the best option. If you are a citizen from the following countries, you possess a passport with at least 6 months validity, and you are staying up to 30 days, then you do NOT need any Tourist visa to enter Thailand. 2015 * check the exact date on this website as it varies from one year to another.How accessible is it from Singapore?
Note that stopover in Bangkok with Air Asia “fly-through’ is very convenient as there is a special custom line for passengers in transfer.How much is this going to cost us?
Accommodation wise, you will find a wide range of options: from cheap guesthouses (from SGD 20 a night) to nice hotels (up to SGD 300 a night).How remote and risky is it?
What about the kids?
You could also make this trip on a motorbike (without the kids…) to make the most of the great scenery and go deeper in the countrysideWhen should we go?
Connections from Chiang Rai
Did you know?
Getting from Singapore to Chiang Rai
Coming back: Air Asia – Chiang Rai to Bangkok 1:10 PM – 2:30 PM then Bangkok to Singapore 4:45 PM – 8:05 PM
Return ticket from SGD 290
Getting from Hanoi airport to the city centre
Where to stay in Chiang Rai
To see & to do in Chiang Rai
In the city center
Nearby the city
Further away from the city
More info to prepare your trip
What to pack for Chiang Rai
Your main bag
Your small bag
Thailand
1h behind SingaporeImmigration and airport taxes on arrival
National Public Holidays in Thailand
January 1
New Years Day
March 4 *
Makha Bucha Day
April 6 *
Chakri Day
April 13
Thai New Year
April 14
Thai New Year
April 15
Thai New Year
April 16
Thai New Year
April 17
Thai New Year
May 1
Labour Day
May 5 *
Coronation Day
June 1 *
Visakha Bucha Day
July 30 *
Asahna Bucha Day
August 12
H.M. Queen’s Birthday
October 23
Chulalongkorn Day
December 5
H.M. King’s Birthday
December 10
Constitution Day
December 31
New Year’s Eve
Language: Thai.
Time zone: Bangkok and across the country GMT +7 hours.
Currency: Thai Baht (THB)
Phone: + 66
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