Chiang Rai Travel Forum

hi, am looking at CHIANG RAI for next years holiday (october 2006) have been to thailand many times before but never to the north. will be traveling with my wife and little girl, we are looking for some where to relax for a few weeks. would like to know what chiang rai is like, is there many restaurants serving western food. what are price's like compared with the south. also what is the weather like in october, and any other things that may help.

many, many thanks for your time, i really do appreciate your help.
regards,
Neil.

I have never been to Chiang Rai only Chiang Mai and I love it there the pace of life is a lot less hectic that Bangkok, and I found it a lot more reasonable cost wise, I would imagine that they are very similar.

@ Jim (dabchick2004): Chiang Rai is even more relaxed than Chiang Mai is, although the town is growing fast now that the highway from Bangkok to Mae Sai (Burmese border) is finished and has become very busy.

Chiang Rai is a very nice place, there are a few western restaurants, they have a nice little night market, and as a whole Chiang Rai is a good starting point for trips to the Golden Triangle (Mae Sai, Mae Salong, Sop Ruak, Chiang Saen) and to hilltribes. Don't skip Doi Thung! The prices are generally a bit cheaper than in Bangkok.

Chiang rai is much quieter than Chiang Mai, it's a good place for stepping off to the more remote northern places.