Geography
Chiang
Rai province is Thailand's northernmost province situated between
north latitude 14? and east longitude 49?. It covers an area of some
11,678 sq km making it the twelfth largest province. The provincial
capital, Chiang Rai city, is approximately 785 km north of the
nation's capital, Bangkok.
Similar to other Thai provinces, Chiang Rai is
administratively divided into Amphoes or districts and King Amphoes
or sub - districts. There are thirteen in total as follows; Muang,
Chiang Kong, Chiang Saen, Mae Chan, Mae Sai, Mae Suai, Pa Daet, Phan,
Thoeng, Wiang Pa pao, Wiang Chai, Phaya Mengrai, Wiang Kaen and
three sub-districts of Mae Fa Luang, Khun Tan and Mae Lao.
For a long time Chiang Rai province remained
isolated from the rest of Thailand. Such isolation, however, has
afforded the province it's unique culture, as well as making it one
of the country's most rural of areas.
Chiang Rai province is bordered to the north by
the neighbouring countries of Myanmar and Laos. The Myanmar border
is mountainous, cleaving Myanmar from Thailand, with the Sop Ruak
River converging with the Mekong River at Thailand's peak. The
border with Laos is formed by the natural boundary that the Mekong
River takes, as it travels south before heading further inland
towards the Laotian town of Luang Prapang. To the west is Chiang Mai
province, with Lampang province to the south and Phayao province to
the south and southeast.
The general landscape consists of a large fertile
plain, set within a midst of crisp and scenic mountain ranges. These
form into a pan shape with elevations at approximately 580 m above
sea level.
In 1995, the total land area of Chiang Rai
province was classified as follows:
Forest land - 33.1%
Farm land - 30.8%
Unclassified land - 36.1%
Although over 30% of the land area is officially
classed as farmland, only about 19% is really considered suitable
for cultivation - and most of the cultivatable area is located along
the Phaholyothin highway, which runs through the districts of Phan,
Muang and Mae Chan and ends in Mae Sai.
Chiang Rai province is also home to the Doi Luang
National Park and the Doi Mae Salong mountains. The most important
waterway and transportation artery is the scenic 130 km long Mae Kok
River that flows from neighbouring Chiang Mai province. The River
flows through the town of Tha Ton (180 km north of Chiang Mai's
provincial capital) and passes by several hilltribe settlements and
elephant camps, until it reaches and passes through the heart of
Chiang Rai city. Long-tailed boats make the three - hour plus
journey every day.
Climate
Similar
to Chiang Mai and because of its higher elevations, the climate in
Chiang Rai province is generally somewhat cooler when compared to
the rest of the country. However, there are still three distinct
seasons; the hot season, the rainy season and the cool season. The
mean temperature in 1997 was 24.5oC.
Throughout the winter months, nighttime
temperatures can drop considerably from the average daytime figures.
At other times during the year, day and night temperatures do not
vary significantly.
In Chiang Rai, the monsoon or rainy season starts
around May and ends in October - earlier than in Central Thailand.
Average daytime temperature is 25.5oC. The average
rainfall in Chiang Rai is considerably higher than its neighbour,
Chiang Mai province. So much so that during the months of August and
September, (when rainfall is heaviest), many of the streets
throughout the province will flood. At most other times the rain
will normally fall sporadically.
Annual rainfall (1997) - 1,645.4 mm
Number of days rain (1997) - 132 days
The Cool Season lasts from late October until the
end of February with temperatures ranging from 13oC to 28oC.
Average daytime temperature is 21oC, but cooler at night
- especially in the hills and mountains. The coldest months are
December and January.
The Hot Season begins at the end of March and
lasts until the end of May, with temperatures ranging between 17oC
and 36oC. The hottest month is April. Average daytime
temperature is around 29.9oC.
