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Chiangrai - Thailand
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Chiangrai: Thailand's most northern
province, is 785 kilometers from Bangkok and
borders Myanmar and Laos to the north. The
provincial capital is some 785 kilometers
north of Bangkok, and occupies a fertile
valley approximately 580 meters above sea
level. The largely mountainous province is
11 ,678 square kilometers in area. The major
provincial river is the Mae Kok which is
some 130 kilometers in length. Chiangrai
was founded in 1 262 AD. by King Mengrai.
Chiang Rai was the ancient capital of the
Lanna kingdom, until it was captured by the
Burmese during the 1600s. Chiangrai did not
become Thai territory again until 1786.
Chiangrai was granted provincial status in
1910. |
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of interest in and around Chaingrai |
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Doi Tung. some 2,000
meters above sea level, is located some 18
kilometers south of Mae Sai via Route 149. In the
past, its forest area was destroyed by shifting
cultivation of hill tribe people. Until 1987, Doi
Tung Development Project has been established
according to the Princess Mother's imitative. Along
the route there are some attractions such as scenic
spots, Princess Mother's residence, Mae Fa Luang
Garden, Phrathat Doi Tung (a reliclury for Buddha
relics, and hill tribe villages. |
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The Golden Triangle. the area is locally
referred to as Sop Ruake, where the Mae Khong river
meets the Ruak river . This is where the borders of
three countries, Laos, Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand,
come together as the natural borders. The riverine
convergence of the three countresacan be clearly and
advantageously seen from a hilltop pavilion at Wat
Phrathat Phukhao. There are remains of many ancient
places and structures attesting to the area having
bee settled by people in the past, where the various
legends on the Lanna ancestors originate. Around Sop
Ruak are boar rental service to view the scenery
around the Golden Triangle. |
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