• Thailand Guide

  • Introduction to Thailand
  • Weather
  • Things Not to Miss
  • Getting around
  • Money
  • Public holidays
  • Entry requirements

• Explore Thailand

  • The central plains
  • The north
  • The east coast
  • The northeast: Isaan
  • Southern Thailand: the Gulf coast
  • Southern Thailand: the Andaman coast
  • The deep south

• Cities

  • Bangkok
    
  • Chiang Mai
    
  • Chiang Rai
    
  • Chumphon
    
  • Hat Yai
    
  • Kamphaeng Phet
    
  • Nakhon Si Thammarat
    
  • Pattaya
    
  • Phitsanulok
    
  • Surat Thani
    

Thailand Guide

The north

Arrival

Chiang Rai has plenty of bus services, including from Bangkok (24 daily; 11–12hr); Chiang Khong (every 20min; 2–3hr); Chiang Mai (every 30min; 3–4hr); Chiang Saen (every 20min; 1hr 30min); Lampang (every 30min; 4–5hr); Mae Sai (every 20min; 1hr 30min) and Phrae (hourly; 4hr). Most long-distance buses terminate at the new bus station 6km south of the centre on Highway 1, while other services use the old bus station on central Thanon Phaholyothin.

Chiang Rai's airport is 8km north of town and runs flights from Bangkok (5 daily; 1hr 15min) with Thai Airways, Air Asia and One-Two-Go; and from Chiang Mai with SGA (8 weekly; 40min).