Chiang Mai travel Business Associattion

		CHIANG RAI ONE DAY Leave for Chiang Rai by road, crossing mountains and valleys. Enjoy picturesque landscapes, a rich source of forestry where you can enjoy its beauty scenery and atmosphere. First stop is Wiang Pa Pao, one of famous areas for a Hot Spring. On the way, will make another stop to visit Mae Chan where Yao and Akha hill tribe villages are situated. After that continue drive to Mae Sai the furthest northern trading border town between Thailand and Myanma. It is a busy trading town where you spend times to shop for your souvenirs from Chiang Rai Trip. Local lunch will be provided. After fill-up with a delicious Thai style Lunch, tour will take you to the Golden Triangle area, where the border of Thailand, Burma and Laos meet. Then, visit Chiang Saen (A.D. 1260), the ancient city of Chiang Rai, on the steep banks of Mae Khong River, opposite Laos. Witness some magnificent an ancient ruins and temples. Return to Chiang Mai, across the same mountainous route. Arrive back at your hotel at about 19.00 pm.

	City & Temples: Emerald Buddha (Pra Kaew), Wat Pra Singh, Wat Ngarm Muang, Golden Mountain Temple, and Sleeping Buddha Temples. Mae Jaan District : Hot Spring, Forestry Park, Hilltribes Development & Welfare Center, Mae Salong Mountain's "Santikiree" Settlement of Chinese Army, KMT. Chiang Saen District : Historically, Chiang Saen was the 2nd ancient capital which is about 900 years old, after Lumpoon era. You will see ruins, National Museum, Wat Prathart Jom Gitti, Wat Pa Sug, Wat Prathart Pha Ngow, Chiang Saen Lake, The Golden Triangle.

		Mae Sai District : The Northernmost point on the border with Burma. Foreigners are not permitted to cross the bridge at the Burmese Border. Also in Mae Sai, Wat Prathart Doi Toong, Pha Jom Cave, Khoonnamm - Nangnorn (Lagoon of the Sleeping Lady), Thumm Poom - Thumm Pla (Reef & Fish Caverns), Payanark Cave & Reservoir, Akha Village at Pamee.

	Doi Tung "Switzerland in Thailand" Many People Have Called Doi Tung "Switzerland in Thailand" (correct pronunciation is "Doi toong") Visitors to Doi Tung can experience for themselves the natural beauty of the hills, and appreciate the efforts of the people of Doi Tung. They can see how people and forests can live together, while the people preserve the forests, the forests support the livelihood of the people.

"The Villa on Doi Tung" The Royal Villa was built at Doi Tung for Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother to stay while she carried out her environmental and development work. On deciding to live there, Her Royal Highness told her private secretary, "If there were no Doi Tung Development Project, I will not have a house here". The Doi Tung Royal Villa is thus a symbol of Her Royal Highness' constant efforts to improve the lives and well-being of her subjects.

The Doi Tung Royal Villa : The Doi Tung Royal Villa was the first residence of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinakarindra, the Princess Mother, built under her supervision, Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, gave the architects a concept of simplicity and multi-functionality for the Royal Villa.

Construction started on December 23, 1987 with a traditional northern Thai ceremony (Called "Pork Sao Huen") of erecting the main house pillar.

The Mae Fah Luang Garden The Mae Fah Garden filled with decorative and flowering plants covers 25 rai (hectares) is located on the hillside just below the Royal Villa. The Garden, opened since 1992, was created with the support of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Throughout the year, flowers adorn this hillside, making the Mae Fah Luang Garden one of the brightest and most colorful sites in Thailand. At the center of the garden stands a statue of children climbing, made by one of the country's leading sculptresses, Museum Yip-in-soi. Entitled "Continuity", the statue is evocative of the continuous effort of Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother to improve the lives of the people of Thailand.

The Pacific-Asia Tourist Association (PATA) gave Thailand the PATA Gold Award in 1993 for the Mae Fah Luang Garden, in recognition of the development of this new tourist destination.

Chiang Saen and The Golden Triangle
THE NORTH OF Thailand is renowned for its beautiful mountains and accompanying scenery. But few people may have heard of Chiang Saen, a small town located just the northeast of Chiangrai, one of Thailand's oldest towns, and once a powerful fortified city where the Golden Triangle is located and much of northern history remains intact.

This "laid-back" town quietly nestling on the banks of the Mae Khong has, in fact, had a very stormy history. Founded by a grandson of King Mengrai in 1327 BE on the former site of a more ancient town, Chiang Saen was seized by the Burmese in 1558. They kept control of the town and much of the region until 1804, when King Rama I of Siam captured it and had it burned to the ground. The familiar phrase from later day, "We had to destroy it to save it" may well have been uttered by the victorious king. For seventy years the town was left abandoned, save for a few hardy families, until Chao Inta, a son of the Prince of Lumpoon, brought back the descendants of Chiang Saen's former population and the rebuilt the town.

There are many interesting temples and ruins in town, the oldest being Wat Pa Sak "The Teak forest Temple" built in 1295. Wat Chedi Luang (next to the town's present and excellent National Museum) was built in 1331 and extended in 1515. It is famous for its fifty-eight meter high octagonal Chedi. Wat Phra Thart Jom Kitti is situated on a small hill just outside the northwest corner of the city walls. The 383 rough laterite steps lead up to this interesting temple while its site offers superb views over the Mae Khong River to Laos.
The Mae Khong River is one one of the town's attractions and occasionally long, blue-painted, Laotian boats can be seen plying the seemingly gentle water. In reality the waters are far from gentle, and swimming is not recommended.

Touring in Chiang Saen can start with a boat trip from the Golden Triangle downstream to Chiang Saen. Continue by minibus to see Ancient Buddha images and antiques. Visit nearby Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Pa Sak and Wat Phra Thart Jom Kitti by climbing up 383 steps to the Hilltop Pagoda.