Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In
Chiang Rai Local Customs
Search:

Home » Travel Guides » Asia » Thailand » Northern Thailand » Chiang Rai » Local Customs

Chiang Rai Hotels

Real reviews from real travelers.

Chiang Rai Local Customs

Chiang Rai - Thailand - Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai - Thailand
by solopes
Learn the local customs of Chiang Rai. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Chiang Rai locals.
Chiang Rai Map
Chiang Rai Local CustomsTips 1 - 5 of 5  
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
Loi Krathong
  • Tip Rating:
    • mim95
  • Updated By mim95 on March 24, 2007
  • Chiang Rai Page by mim95
    • float parade during Loi Krathong, Chiang Rai - Chiang Rai
    float parade during Loi
    Krathong, Chiang Rai
    by mim95, 2 more photos
    Loi Krathong is one of the biggest festivals in Thailand. It is celebrated around the full moon night of 12th month of the lunar calendar. The people pay respect to the water goddess by floating the krathong onto the river. The krathong is made of banana leaves and the trunk of the banana plant (or styrofoam in modern days) and all sorts of small decorations. They come in all sizes, and can be bought anywhere near the river in the festival area. Before they float it away, they make a wish and light a candle. In Chiang Rai, people usually hire a young kid to take their krathong further out onto the river. In Sukhothai, the krathongs didn't seem to get too far away as there wasn't much wind in the ancient ponds in the historical park.

    There are usually firework, parade and beauty contests during Loi Krathong. In Northern Thailand, people also release the huge white hot air lantern into the air.

    I was lucky to be able to celebrate the Loi Krathong festival in both Chiang Rai and Sukhothai. While I was in Chiang Rai, I went to a park by the river where the main celebration took place. The kids were certainly having so much fun with the firework, and they sometimes weren't being very careful about where they were firing at. There were tonnes of people in the area. A firework went off in the crowd in close range of people. Luckily nobody was hurt. For sure the best celebration is in Sukhothai. It is said that Sukhothai was the origin of Loi Krathong.

    Leave a Comment

  • Website: http://www.loikrathong.net/
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Chiang Rai?

    Read reviews about Chiang Rai Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Use of Chinese language
  • Tip Rating:
    • mim95
  • Updated By mim95 on March 22, 2007
  • Chiang Rai Page by mim95
    • a street sign in Chiang Rai city - Chiang Rai
    a street sign in Chiang Rai
    city
    by mim95
    Chiang Rai is the northern-most province in Thailand, and it is the closest to Yunnan province of China. A boat trip up to China take about 2 days on the Mekong River.

    You will likely encounter people who can speak Chinese (Mandarin) in Chiang Rai province. Not only in the former KMT soldier villages (eg. Mae Salong), but also in Chiang Rai city and the border town of Mae Sai. Most shop owners there can speak Chinese.

    The street signs in Chinag Rai city are triligual: Thai, English and Chinese.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    illegal drugs, especially opium
  • Tip Rating:
    • call_me_rhia
  • By call_me_rhia on December 7, 2002
  • Chiang Rai Page by call_me_rhia
    • map of the opium regions - Chiang Rai
    map of the opium regions
    by call_me_rhia
    All over the Chiang rai area, and especially in the border areas with Burma and Laos, opium seems to be widely grown and sold. Many hilltribe people - elderly in particular, make regular use of it, and will possibly try to sell you some. In case you're thinking about it, please reconsider? The police regularily pulls out buses and checks people and their belongings - and I don't think you'd like to spend some time in a Thai jail. Our bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Sean was stopped twice on our way there, and three times on the way back. Everyone on the bus, including monks, were checked - my friend and I, never. Still wondering why...

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Rice is life
    solopes
  • Updated By solopes on August 31, 2009
  • Chiang Rai Page by solopes
    • Chiang Rai - Thailand - Chiang Rai
    Chiang Rai - Thailand
    by solopes
    One of the best points in the trip inland to visit Chiang Rai is the opportunity to watch true rural life. People and animals struggle in hard conditions to produce rice, the main support to life. And the passing by tourists feel part of another world...

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Bring good luck
    yatingchen
  • By yatingchen on February 17, 2008
  • Chiang Rai Page by yatingchen
    • Chiang Rai Local Customs
    by yatingchen, 1 more photos
    At temples you may see vendors who sell bowl full of coins.

    "There are 108 bowls at temple. You throw one coin in each bowel. The action would bring you good luck. The rest you can keep them with you for luck as well".

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Chiang Rai?

    Read reviews about Chiang Rai Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    1
    More Chiang Rai Tips
    Overview
         		Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 29 - Photos: 33
    Things To Do
    Tips: 106 - Photos: 183    		Nightlife
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
    Transportation
    Tips: 11 - Photos: 6    		Restaurants
    Tips: 28 - Photos: 37
    Shopping
    Tips: 6 - Photos: 3    		Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 15 - Photos: 23
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 9 - Photos: 16    		Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
    Local Customs
    Tips: 5 - Photos: 8    		Packing Lists
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 1
    Sports Travel
    » Add a tip now    		General Tips
    Tips: 24 - Photos: 33
    Flights
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 0
    Best Chiang Rai Travel Deals

    Lodging Hotel
    Up to 50% off Hotels at Expedia. No Expedia change or cancel fees!

    Chiang Rai Hotels Resorts
    Deals for Hotels in Chiang Rai 24/7 Live Support, Fast, Secure

    Cheap Thailand Hotels
    AsiaRooms.comŽ Helps You To Find Cheap Hotels in Thailand, Thailand.

    New York Hotel
    Read Reviews & Listings for Local New York Hotels at Switchboard.

    Newark NJ Hotel
    Brand New Facility & Shuttle Bus 11 Minutes from the Newark Airport!

    Sponsored Links

    More Chiang Rai Travel Deals

    Visit Thailand & Malaysia
    Best value to Southeast Asia! Package starts at $1,599 per person

    Chiang Rai Thailand Hotel
    Save Up To 50% on Hotels! Great Chiang Rai Hotel Deals at ORBITZ.

    Chiang Rai Hotels
    Find Low Hotel Rates! Save Time & Compare Before You Book Online.

    Sponsored Links

    Chiang Rai Hotels

    Cheap hotels from
    Cheap flights from
    Cheap car rentals from
    Cheap cruises from
    Cheap vacations from




    About VirtualTourist |  10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTourist |  Contact Us |  Press Center |  Help |  User Agreement |  Privacy Statement
    Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.