| 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 |
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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.
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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) | |
|---|---|---|
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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)