Chiang Rai, Administrative division in northern Thailand.
Chiang Rai is a province in northern Thailand covering 11,678 square kilometers of mountains and valleys, bordering Myanmar to the north and Laos to the east. The administrative division comprises 18 districts divided into 124 subdistricts, crossed by dense jungle and rivers.
The province emerged in 1910 when territories from the Lanna Kingdom were integrated into Thailand, following centuries under Burmese rule until 1786. Since then the region developed into a distinct administrative unit with growing importance for the northeast of the country.
The region hosts Akha, Lahu, Karen and Hmong communities who maintain their languages and live in mountain villages. Visitors encounter local markets where handicrafts, textiles and jewelry reflect the different traditions of these hill peoples.
Access happens through Chiang Rai International Airport or via several highways connecting the individual districts. Travelers should consider four-wheel drive vehicles for remote mountain areas and allow enough time for journeys between districts.
The area includes the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet at the confluence of two rivers. This spot marks a historic trading junction now made visible through border markers and viewpoints overlooking the three countries.
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