Culture and History

Chiang Rai, which was founded in 1262 by King Meng Rai, was the first capital of the Lanna Thai Kingdom (Kingdom of a million rice fields), which was later conquered by Burma. It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became a Thai territory and was proclaimed a province during the reign of King Rama VI in 1910. In 1432, during the reign of King Sam Fang Kaen of the Meng Rai Dynasty (1402–1441), the Phra Kaew Marakot, or the Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha statue in Thailand, was discovered in Chiang Rai. Some say the statue was concealed from marauders by clay only to be revealed much later as a result of an earthquake. Other maintain it was discovered simply after some clay broke away. Either way, the status remains much revered to this day. A replica ( not exact ) of the Phra Kaew Marakot can be found in Wat Phra Kaew in Chiang Rai with the original now on display in Bangkok.

Chiang Rai is widely renowned for its various hill tribes. Karen, Akha, Hmong, Lahu, Lisu, Palong, and Mien (Yao) villages can all be found here. Chiang Rai’s proximity to China, Laos and Myanmar, means that historically, the hill tribes crossed over the borders to settle in the highland areas. Some settled here in search of arable land for farming, whilst others fled persecution in their native lands. The result today, is that Chiang Rai is a melting pot of ethnic minority groups and their villages are scattered throughout the province.