Travel advisory · ThailandSome governments advise against travel to parts of Thailand.The warnings cover only these areas: 50 km strip along the Cambodia border, Narathiwat, Pattani, Southern Songkhla (Chana, Na Thawi, Thepha and Saba Yoi districts), Thailand-Cambodia border zones (distance not stated), Yala, 20 km strip along the Cambodia border.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice

Areas with warnings

50 km strip along the Cambodia border · avoid all travel · Canada, France, New Zealand
Narathiwat · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, UK
Pattani · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, UK
Southern Songkhla (Chana, Na Thawi, Thepha and Saba Yoi districts) · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, UK
Thailand-Cambodia border zones (distance not stated) · avoid all travel · Spain, Ireland, Italy
Yala · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, UK
20 km strip along the Cambodia border · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, UK

Also named by one government: Buriram border areas (Spain), East of Highways 408 and 4113, including Sakom (Canada), Hat Yai city (Canada), Sisaket border areas (Spain), Surin border areas (Spain), Thailand-Myanmar border (except Mae Sot) (France), Ubon Ratchathani border areas (Spain), Hat Yai to Padang Besar train line (UK), Myanmar border: Mae Hong Son and Tak provinces (Italy), Myanmar border: Tak and Chiang Mai provinces (Spain), Phatthalung (France), Preah Vihear Temple area (Sisaket) (Italy), Satun (France)

Government	Advice	Updated	Read the advice
United Kingdom (FCDO)	No advice against the whole country (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
United States (State Dept)	Exercise normal precautions	Jul 7, 2026	Read the advice
Canada (Global Affairs)	Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
Germany (Auswärtiges Amt)	No advice against the whole country; partial warnings for border and southern areas (regional advisories)	Oct 26, 2026	Read the advice
New Zealand (SafeTravel)	Exercise increased caution (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs)	Normal Precautions (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)	Increased vigilance across the country (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice

Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 3, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.

Ornate temple illuminated at night under cloudy sky

Chiang Rai

A northern Thai city of Lanna temples and the modern White Temple, about 55 km from the Golden Triangle.

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Chiang Rai is the northernmost major city in Thailand and the capital of Chiang Rai Province. It sits on the flat plain of the Kok River, a Mekong tributary. King Mangrai founded it in 1262, and it became the capital of the Mangrai Dynasty. Its temples range from old Lanna sites such as Wat Phra Kaeo, where the Emerald Buddha was reportedly found in 1432, to Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple, which Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat has built since 1998. UNESCO's Creative Cities Network recognizes the city as a Design City.

Visitors go for the temples, the Night Bazaar and the walking street, and the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, about 55 km northeast of the city. Chiang Mai is 182 km away by Route 118, and the bus takes about 3 hours 30 minutes. The cool season, from mid-October to mid-February, has average temperatures around 10°C. Hill tribe villages lie in the limestone hills to the west and north-west.

Chiang Rai in five

Visit the White Temple at openingWat Rong Khun draws tour buses from late morning. Go as soon as it opens, dress to cover shoulders and knees, and note that photography inside the main hall is not allowed.
Stay a night instead of a long day tripThe road from Chiang Mai is roughly three to four hours each way, so a one-day return leaves little time. One night here lets you do the temples, the night bazaar and the Golden Triangle at an easier pace.Chiang Mai
Hire a driver for the loop of sightsThe White Temple, Blue Temple, Black House and Singha Park sit apart. A songthaew, taxi or tour for the day beats public buses, which stop in town.
Plan Doi Mae Salong separatelyThe hill-top tea and Yunnanese village is a winding drive from town and fits a half to full day. Check the road and the weather if you go in the rainy months.
Avoid the smoke months for viewsBurning season in the north brings haze, usually in the hot months before the rains. The cool season, roughly November to February, is clearer.Best time to visit Thailand

Things to do in Chiang Rai

See all attractions in Chiang Rai

Landmark · Chiang RaiMae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park (Rai Mae Fah Luang)

Sight · Chiang RaiLamnamkok National Park

Historic site · Chiang RaiKing Mangrai Monument

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Chiang RaiPut the places you like in Chiang Rai on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai (CEI), about 20 to 30 min to town
Getting there: Flights; about 3 to 4 hours by bus or van from Chiang Mai
Getting around: Songthaews, taxis, ride apps; tours for the temples
Best base: Near the clock tower and night bazaar
Time needed: 2 days, or 1 long day trip from Chiang Mai

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh28°Low15°Cool, clear
FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh31°Low16°Dry, warm
MarchClear3 rainy daysHigh35°Low20°Hot, smoke
AprilClear8 rainy daysHigh35°Low23°Hottest, Songkran
MayRain18 rainy daysHigh34°Low24°Hot, rain starts
JuneRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low23°Rainy season
JulyRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Rainy season
AugustRain28 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low22°Rainy season
SeptemberRain24 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh30°Low22°Wet, green
OctoberRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low21°Rain easing
NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh28°Low19°Cool, clear
DecemberClear5 rainy daysHigh27°Low16°Cool, clear

Average daily high and low in Chiang Rai, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Chiang Rai

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 34°
Humidity: 81%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 86%

Chiang Rai

06:16 PM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+7

Today28°22°86%Tuesday: Rain. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 86%.
Wed29°22°51%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 51%.
Thu30°21°51%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 51%.
Fri30°22°65%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 65%.
Sat27°21°86%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 27°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 86%.
Sun29°20°55%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 55%.
Mon29°21°37%Monday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 37%.

Updated 02:27 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.74 THB

Amount

Converted to

THB · Thai Baht

Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Golden Triangleabout 1 hour by roadWhere the Mekong meets Laos and Myanmar, with a hall of opium history.
Doi Mae Salongabout 1.5 to 2 hours by roadTea terraces and a Yunnanese hill village above the plain.
Chiang Maiabout 3 to 4 hours by bus or vanThe other base for the north; many do both on one loop.Read the guide

Before you go to Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai temple dayWhite, Blue Temples and Black HouseCompare day trips

Stays in Chiang RaiOld-town guesthouses and boutique staysCheck availability

eSIM for the northMaps on the Golden Triangle roadRead the guide

Cover for hill roadsMotorbike crashes and weather delaysRead the guide

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Plan around Chiang Rai

All of Thailand

Regions, islands, entry rules and the season map

Read the guide Northern Thailand

Chiang Mai, Pai, Lampang and the hill roads

Read the guide Chiang Mai

The usual starting point for the north

Read the guide Lampang

Horse carts and old teak houses to the south

Read the guide Pai

Mountain town with a hippie reputation

Read the guide Best time to visit Thailand

Which coast is dry in which month

Read the guide Thailand entry rules

The 30-day exemption and the TDAC

Read the guide

Chiang Rai FAQ

Is Chiang Rai worth visiting?

Yes for the White Temple, the Blue Temple and the Black House, which are unlike anything else in Thailand. It is quieter than Chiang Mai, but it is a small city and two days is plenty.

Can you do Chiang Rai as a day trip from Chiang Mai?

Yes, but it is a long day, with roughly three to four hours each way. A tour from Chiang Mai covers the main temples in about twelve hours, so a night in Chiang Rai gives a better visit.

How many days do you need in Chiang Rai?

Two days cover the temples and one outing to the Golden Triangle or Doi Mae Salong. Add a third day only if you want a hill hike or a hot-spring stop.

What is the best time to visit Chiang Rai?

The cool season, roughly November to February, has the clearest skies and mild nights. Avoid the hot, smoky weeks before the rains if you want views.

Is Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai better?

Chiang Mai has more to do and more places to stay; Chiang Rai is calmer and has the famous temples. Most trips use Chiang Mai as the base and add Chiang Rai for a night or a day.