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S & E Asia 172 - N Thailand 30: Chiang Rai: Night descending on the Mae Kok river
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Nov 22, 2022 10:40:16   #
weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA
 
CHIANG RAI is the northernmost major city in Thailand, with a population of about 200,000, located in the Chiang Rai Province.

HISTORY
The city was founded by King Mangrai in 1262 and became the capital of the Mangrai Dynasty. The word 'Chiang' means 'city' in Thai, so Chiang Rai would mean 'the City of (Mang) Rai'. Subsequently, Chiang Rai was conquered by Burma and remained under Burmese rule for several hundred years. It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became a Chiang Mai vassal. Siam (Thailand) annexed Chiang Mai in 1899, and Chiang Rai was proclaimed a province of Thailand in 1933.

In 1432, during the reign of King Sam Fang Kaen of the Mangrai Dynasty (1402–1441), the Phra Kaeo, or Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha statue, was discovered in Chiang Rai when an earthquake split the chedi at Wat Phra Kaeo of Chiang Rai city. The beautiful jade figure was then seen concealed within. Another telling of the story has the "Emerald Buddha" hastily covered in mud just before marauders entered to pillage. Many years later, the clunky-looking mud Buddha was found to actually house a magnificent jade statue, perhaps by way of the earthquake mentioned above—which caused a piece of the clay to break off—revealing the jade beneath.

GEOGRAPHY
Chiang Rai lies on the flat alluvial plain of the Kok River, a tributary of the Mekong, between two hill ranges in the north and south. The Kok River runs along Chiang Rai's north side, flowing eastwards out of Burma, bending north-east and joining the Mekong River about 40 km (25 mi) north-east of the city. The Lao River, a tributary of the Kok, flows south of Chiang Rai.

There are four bridges spanning the Kok River within the town's boundaries. Most of the terrain surrounding Chiang Rai town is either flat or has moderate hills. The exception is outward in the west and north-west directions, where limestone hills are evident, some of which have vertical exposed cliffs. Most of the region's hill tribes have their villages in this north-westerly direction.

The city is 860 km (530 mi) north of Bangkok, about 200 km (120 mi) north-east of Chiang Mai, 62 km (39 mi) south of the Burmese border; and 90 km (56 mi) north of Phayao town. The Golden Triangle, the tripoint of the Thailand, Laos and Myanmar borders, is some 55 km (34 mi) north-east of the city.

Chiang Rai has a tropical wet and dry climate. Winters are fairly dry and warm. Temperatures rise until April, which is hot with the average daily maximum at 35C (95F). The monsoon season runs from late April through October, with heavy rain and somewhat cooler temperatures during the day, although nights remain warm.

In this last set on Chiang Rai, I present images from out hotel grounds and on the adjacent Mae Kok River as the night descends and the hotel gears up for a night-time outdoors party.


Notes
TRIP INFO: Set # 1 provides a brief introduction to THIS SERIES on SOUTH & EAST ASIA. See it at
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-724330-1.html

THAILAND COUNTRY INFO in set # 143: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-755664-1.html

EARLIER POSTS of this series: Access my topic list at UHH, the new posts are listed in reverse chronological order:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-topic-list?usernum=45105

Thanks for visiting, for improved clarity please view the downloads. I look forward to your comments and questions.

.

1 - The grounds (and waters) of our hotel Le Meridian Chiang Rai Resort on the shores of the Mae Kok River
1 - The grounds (and waters) of our hotel Le Merid...
(Download)

2 - A natural splash of color provided by the Koi in the pond
2 - A natural splash of color provided by the Koi ...
(Download)

3 - Dusk approaches with a pastel mellow evening mood on the Mae Kok River
3 - Dusk approaches with a pastel mellow evening m...
(Download)

4 - The mood is shifting more into the blues as dusk progresses
4 - The mood is shifting more into the blues as du...
(Download)

5 - Intensified colors as the sunset accelerates
5 - Intensified colors as the sunset accelerates...
(Download)

6 - It will be party-time on the hotel grounds this evening: The first decorative lights shine and the white-trimmed chairs and tables are waiting for the festive crowd
6 - It will be party-time on the hotel grounds thi...
(Download)

7 - The phasing-in of the nocturnal ambience on the hotel ground continues as we head out for dinner
7 - The phasing-in of the nocturnal ambience on th...
(Download)

8 - A river-side Chinese restaurant outside of the hotel grounds
8 - A river-side Chinese restaurant outside of the...
(Download)

9 - One of our dinner plates - my memory does not help me in defining the food we ate
9 - One of our dinner plates - my memory does not ...
(Download)

10 - Full darkness has descended on the hotel grounds, the band and tables are ready ….
10 - Full darkness has descended on the hotel grou...
(Download)

Reply
Nov 22, 2022 10:41:20   #
weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA
 
For your reference:

11 - Trip map of the Thailand segment of our tour, Chiang Rai is located at the very top of the map
11 - Trip map of the Thailand segment of our tour,...
(Download)

Reply
Nov 22, 2022 10:49:44   #
UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT
 
With so much water, Joe, I do not know where to begin! Excellent set.

Reply
 
 
Nov 22, 2022 11:07:42   #
kpmac Loc: Ragley, La
 
Outstanding, Joe.

Reply
Nov 22, 2022 11:31:15   #
jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana
 
Nice set of evening shots.

Reply
Nov 22, 2022 11:34:52   #
angler Loc: StHelens England
 
Another excellent set Joe.

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Nov 22, 2022 11:37:11   #
NMGal Loc: NE NM
 
Excellent!!!

Reply
 
 
Nov 22, 2022 11:45:17   #
weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA
 
UTMike wrote:
With so much water, Joe, I do not know where to begin! Excellent set.


Thank you Mike, I was thinking of you when posting these water-heavy images.

Reply
Nov 22, 2022 11:45:39   #
weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA
 
kpmac wrote:
Outstanding, Joe.


Thank you Ken, glad you like it!

Reply
Nov 22, 2022 11:46:16   #
weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA
 
jaymatt wrote:
Nice set of evening shots.


Thank you John, happy to hear that you enjoyed these evening mood shots.

Reply
Nov 22, 2022 11:47:18   #
weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA
 
angler wrote:
Another excellent set Joe.


Thank you Jim for your kind comment.

Reply
 
 
Nov 22, 2022 11:47:50   #
weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA
 
NMGal wrote:
Excellent!!!


Thank you Barbara for your very positive comment.

Reply
Nov 23, 2022 07:32:58   #
nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL
 
Very nice Joe!

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Nov 23, 2022 08:31:12   #
maxlieberman Loc: 19027
 
A beautiful country, fo sure. Whatever the food was, I'll bet it burned going in and coming out.

Reply
Nov 23, 2022 08:31:28   #
ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA
 
Terrific set, Joe.

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