Chiang Rai Province

Chiang Rai is the most northern province (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are (from east clockwise) Phayao, Lampang and Chiang Mai. In the north it borders Shan State of Myanmar and Bokeo and Oudomxai of Laos.

Capital : Chiang Rai

Area : 11,678.4 km x km

Inhabitants : 1,129,701 (2000)

Pop. Density : 97 inh./km x km

 Contents

    * 1 Geography

    * 2 History

    * 3 Demographics

    * 4 Symbols

    * 5 Administrative divisions

    * 6 Gallery

    * 7 External links

Geography

The average elevation of the province is 580 m. The north of the province belongs to the so-called Golden Triangle, at which the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar converge - an area which was very unsafe because of the drug smuggling across the borders. The Mekong river forms the boundary with Laos, the Mae Sai and Ruak River to Myanmar. Through the town of Chiang RaiKok River. itself flows the

While the eastern part of the province is relatively flat river plains, the western part consists of mountainous terrain. While not the highest elevation of the province, the 1322 m high Doi Tung (Flag hill) is the most important hill. The Wat Phra That Doi Tung temple on top of the hill according to the chronicles dates back to the year 911. Nearby is the Doi Tung royal villa, former residence of princess mother Somdej Phra Srinagarindra. Thanks to her activities the hills were reforested, and the hill tribes changed from growing poppy to other crops.

History

Chiang Rai became a province in 1910, after being part of the kingdom of Lannathai for centuries. After Lannathai was incorporated into Thailand, it stayed an autonomous region and thus the Chiang Rai area was administered from Chiang Mai.

Demographics

The majority of the population are generally ethnic Thai, but 12.5% of the population belong to the hill tribes, a minority in the North of Thailand. A minority are of Chinese descent, mainly descendants of the Kuomintang soldiers who settled in the region, notably Santikhiri.

Symbols

The seal of the province shows a white elephant, the royal symbol. It remembers that Chiang Rai was founded by King Mengrai, according to the legend because his elephant liked the place.

Northernmost in Siam, beautiful Doi Tung, repository of culture, most delicious rice, sweet and fragrant litchi, beautiful women, the finest flavoured tea, pineapple from Nang-Lae (,source of the Giant Catfish).

Farthest north in Siam, intersection of three reigns, home to the culture of Lanna

Administrative divisions

The province is subdivided in 18 districts (Amphoe). These are further subdivided into 124 subdistricts (tambon) and 1510 villages (muban).

   1. Mueang Chiang Rai

   2. Wiang Chai

   3. Chiang Khong

   4. Thoeng

   5. Phan

   6. Pa Daet

   7. Mae Chan

   8. Chiang Saen

   9. Mae Sai

  10. Mae Suai

  11. Wiang Pa Pao

  12. Phaya Mengrai

  13. Wiang Kaen

  14. Khun Tan

  15. Mae Fa Luang

  16. Mae Lao

  17. Wiang Chiang Rung

  18. Doi Luang

Refer :

Chiang Rai Province. (2008, May 6). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 09:07, May 17, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chiang_Rai_Province&oldid=210566633