Chiang Rai province

Statistics
Capital:	Chiang Rai
Area:	11,678.4 km² Ranked 12th
Inhabitants:	1,124,594 (2001) Ranked 13th
pop. density:	96 inh./km² Ranked 47th
ISO 3166-2:	TH-57
Map

Chiang Rai (Thai เชียงราย) is the most northern province (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from east clockwise) Phayao[?], Lampang and Chiang Mai. In the north it borders Laos and Myanmar.

Table of contents 1 Geography 2 History 3 Demographics 4 Symbols 5 Administrative divisions 6 External links

Geography

The average elevation of the district is 580 m. The north of the district 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.

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

12.5% of the population belong to the hilltribes, a minority in the North of Thailand.

Symbols

The seal of the province shows a white elephant, the royal symbol. The provincial tree is the Tree Jasmine (Radermachera ignea[?]), and the provincial flower is the Orange Trumpet (Pyrostegia venusta[?]).

Administrative divisions

Amphoe (districts)		King Amphoe (minor districts)
Muang Chiang Rai Wiang Chai Chiang Khong Thoeng Phan Pa Daet Mae Chan Chiang Saen	Mae Sai Mae Suai Wiang Pa Pao Phaya Mengrai Wiang Kaen Khun Tan Mae Fa Luang Mae Lao	Wiang Chiang Rung Doi Luang

External links

• Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand (http://www.tat.or.th/province/north/chi-rai/index.htm)
• Golden Jubilee Network province guide (http://kanchanapisek.or.th/cgi-bin/kp8/oncc/province.cgi?prov=n2)