Chiangrai is the nothernmost province in Thailand. It is one of the country's most rural areas. The Chiangrai Province is bordering Myanmar on the north, Laos on the east, Phayao and Lampang on the south and Chiangmai on the southwest. Chiangrai is about 785 km from Bangkok and 182 km from Chiangmai.
Chiangrai was built in 1262 by King Mengrai. King Mengrai himself was the founder of the Kingdom of Lao-Thai Lanna. Chiangrai was occupied by Burma between 1648 and 1786. After that Chiangrai became a part of Thailand again.
Thais often tout Chiangrai as an alternative to Chiangmai, although it is not nearly as colourful and there's less to do in town. Well, it is great to visit Chiangrai during end of November onwards, you may feel the cold breezing air as well as the weather is so lovely.