Chiang Rai Random Resting Place

From Loei I departed to the far north of Thailand using one of those long distance night coaches to the City of Chiang Rai. As Thai bus drivers apparently want to keep their passengers well refrigerated during their trip, they turn down the aircon to as low as possible. That said, when I arrived at Chiang Rai at 6 am, behind me were 11 chilly hours of twisted legs, stiff neck and back, snoring neighbours, a midnight stopover at a roadside restaurant somewhere near Pitsanulok, and not so much of sleep as I had hoped. I had nothing more than the name of a guesthouse I had picked from booking.com, but had no reservation made. There wasn't much hope for a hot shower, and a clean bed to lay down my bones before noon. A friendly songthaew driver took me to the guesthouse for a couple of extra Baht after dropping his load of passengers. There, my tired and bleary-eyed looks must have impressed the concierge that much, that she had prepared a room immediately and let me move in within less than an hour well before the normal check-in time and without any extra charge. And, after a few hours of rest I stepped into the warm afternoon sun of Chiang Rai.
Chiang Rai is the northermost large city in Thailand, about 860 km north of Bangkok. Founded by King Mangrai in 1262, it became the capital of the Mangrai Dynasty. After being under Burmese rule for several hundred years it became a Chiang Mai (another former Kingdom) vassal which was annexed by Siam (now Thailand) in 1899, and only in 1933 was declared a province of Thailand. Chiang Rai lies on the flat alluvial plains of the Mae Kok River, a tributary of the Mekong. Above the plains rise moderate hills where so called "hill tribes" (ethnic minorities) settle. For this reason Chiang Rai is a favoured starting point for a variety of outdoor activities like mountain trekking, visits to elephant camps, rock-climbing and river-rafting on the Mae Kok -or visit tea plantations.
The city itself is home to some 70,000 souls and has a moderate and leisurely pace. It boasts a couple of fine and sumptuously decorated Buddhist temples in town and on top of some of the surrounding peaks. The climate is very pleasant during the dry season, with temperatures reaching their heights in the afternoon hours around 28 centigrade, and their lows at fresh 17 centigrade in thearly morning hours

 Visitors stroll around Chiang Rai's Golden Clock Tower, the town`s landmark

The Chiang Rai Golden Clocktower. Between 7 and 9 pm a spectactle of light and sound attracts numerous vivitors

A relief-like Buddha statue carved out of a limestone cliff above the north shore of the River Mae Kok a few kilometers west of Chiang Rai 

 A giant Buddha placed on a rock overlooks the River Mae Kok near Chiang Rai 

Buddha's view over the River Mae Kok near Chiang Rai

 Children crossing the shallow waters of the River Mae Kok just west of Chiang Rai

Surprisingly natural looking statue of a female monk in her cave above the River Mae Kok, Chiang Rai

Caves in limestone cliffs above the river are very common. Many of them hold Buddha statues -and colourful stools invite for a rest

Rural scenery of the mountains northwest of Chiang Rai. This are is inhabited by so called "hill tribes" that is ethnic minorities like Akha, Karen, Lisu and others

Detail of the entrance to Wat Rong Khun (The White Temple) by local artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. Whatever his religious intentions were, undoubtly he created a show-piece of monumental kitsch and commerce that attracts Thai and foreign visitors alike. There is no entrance fee.

The temple is overly decorated with Thai and some other symbols like this detail of a demon that hangs, among others, on a tree at the entrance of the temple. In the artists words they represent the evil in humans

 The only exception to the all-white temple, statuettes, murals and figurines is the 'Golden Toilet'

 I was there! Young couple taking selfie at the entrance of Wat Ron Khun 

A student in full graduation attire poses in front of Wat Rong Khun