Chang Rai

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Chiang Rai is the capital of the eponymous and northernmost province of Thailand. Because of this location it was isolated for a long time from the rest of the country. Only at the end of the 18th century it was added to the former country of Siam (now Thailand. That is why you can find a different culture and customs here. The city of Chang Rai is a perfect starting point for tours through the beautiful nature, small villages to meet numerous mountain tribes of Northern Thailand.

These are, in contrast to many other mountain tribes, still almost completely isolated from other places and have therefore retained their authenticity. Chiang Rai is also called the gateway to the Golden Triangle. This is a nickname for the area where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. This triangle was always known for the opium cultivation that was very present here. Many of the farmers were forced by the government to stop this but since production in Afghanistan after 2001 drastically reduced, the opium production in this area has risen sharply again.

Chang Rai has a small airport about 8 km north of the city. You can also reach the city by boat. On the east side of the center is the bus station within walking distance of the center.

Chang Rai - Chiang Khong (border LAOS): frequent buses go to the border with Laos - price is about 60 Baht and it takes about 2.5 hours. When you get off you walk all the way to the other side of the village (here you can change money too etc.) and then there is the border which is the Mekong river. With a longtail boat you go to the other side and there is the customs of Laos. Here is the village of "Huay Xai" which is in Laos.

• Name: Hilltribe museum

Address: 620/1 Th Thanalai

Price: 50 Baht

Time: 09: 00/10: 00 - 18:00

Website: www.pda.or.th/chiangrai

Content:

This is a relatively good place to start before you make a trek to the mountain tribes in and around the city "Chang Rai". You will see a 20-minute slide show that gives you an idea of what the different tribes eat, drink, believe, dress and how they live in general. This is offered in different languages.

The rest of the museum is largely filled with large photographs and exhibits of different items of clothing and objects from the different tribes.

Cheap, tasty and cozy food can be enjoyed at Chang Rai's night market - just sit next to other tourists or local Thai and grab a fork. Guaranteed entitlement and a fun, informative and culinary evening.

• Name: Hostel Pam's guesthouse

Address: Th Jet Yot

Price: 200 Baht (single)

Phone nr. : 0894335134

Content:

This hostel is located just outside the city center, yet centrally located. Downstairs is a nice portal with a nice common room with pool table and TV with DVDs. Pam is a great manager of the hostel. Please note that you choose the right room - I had the one in the attic but did not expect that behind the hostel there were some "go-go" bars that play loud music at night. The room, however, was quite large, had its own toilet and shower. Breakfast is not included.

The city Chang Rai is actually the little brother of the southern and larger Chang Mai. It is more isolated, smaller, has fewer inhabitants and is simply a lot more relaxed. The whole intrusive of Chang Mai with its large crowd of tourists is not reserved for Chang Rai and that makes it so attractive. On the other hand you have fewer opportunities as a tourist but can make your tour a whole lot more challenging and spectacular.

TOUR mountain tribes:

Many tours go to very commercial mountain people villages where everyone walks in traditional clothing but only for the tourists. Many souvenirs but little "real" tribal life. We have booked a tour for 700 Baht (with 2 people) to villages where some people are still traditionally dressed on the street and where there are no (souvenir)markets.

There is a visit to the village Ruammit which is a Karen village. Then follows a Yao village called Mae Sai. Straight through the jungle on a gravel road we reach a small village where we met a number of Akha members recognizable by the silver "balls" hats. There is a visit to Lipa, a Lahu village. Even though the waterfall is not overwhelming, it gives us time to let everything sink in by seeing Huai Mae Sai. After a long day we are neatly returned to Chang Rai. 

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Before you book a tour you have to ask yourself what you expect from this tour; what do you really want to see now? It is also useful to determine in advance whether you want to travel with a jeep, AC minibus or regular car. Whether you want a guide or not? How many people do you want in a group? Determine together with the travel agency or agent what is possible on a day and what you are willing to pay for it.

In any case, do not expect any villages full of people in traditional clothing that will showyou all the explicit professions. You can not just walk into the village in your daring Western clothing and take photos of everything and everyone. These people are also entitled to privacy and may not be waiting for your curiosity at all. So keep this in mind and ask the guide for special things to pay attention to. So go with a tour with an experienced guide who knows the characteristics and culture of these different tribes and knows what he can and can not do. It is also useful that he knows the language of this tribe even though most of the tribes also speak Thai next to their own language.

In addition, permission is often required from the tribal elder to enter the village. Then permission is needed to visit certain places and others (perhaps holy) not - it is also wise to first ask if you can take photos of someone or something because some tribesmen believe that photos take away their soul. Touching holy amulets or other things can also cause a stir. Also do not participate in ceremonies if you are not specially invited for this. Do not give money, candy or other things (pens) to children and / or beggars. Here too a smile and a "soft" voice do wonders.