Off-the-radar Thailand’s Chiang Rai – a stunning destination

THAILAND 2025 VOYAGE- PART 2

A 3 hours north-east ride, off the magnificent Chiang Mai, and the comfortable road takes us to another must-see in North Thailand. Chiang Rai province.

I was always intrigued by this region as it is located at the junction between 3 countries – Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. What was waiting for us ahead sounds promising.

The surprising Mae Khachan Hot Spring was the ideal break on the way. An impressive geyser across the road flanked, with streams of boiling water were the highlight. Local ladies were selling eggs that visitors can cook in the water. We found a spot where the hit was bearable and sat for 20 minutes, our feet in the water, enjoying the opportunity. A free of charge relaxation.

The scenery is dominated by pineapple plantation fields and tasting the fruit is a common delicacy in every corner. Even aside the roads. Fresh, juicy and tasty.

Tea drinking is an ancient practice here used for both celebration and ceremony. Choui Fong Tea Plantation grows millions of tea plants. An endless hills of greenery leave the visitors speechless. The plantation covers an expansive area of over 1.6 square kilometres. Here, tea bushes cascade along the hillside, created for us a serene ambiance. A modern visitor center overlooks the marvelous hills, while enjoying and purchasing tea at the shop and admiring the female Thai employees working in the hit. Pick your choices- soft tea-leaf steamed bun, green tea, iced tea or even a green tea cake.

Mae Khachan Hot Spring – an impressive geyser suprises. (photo by Motti Verses)

The scenery is dominated by pineapple plantation fields. (photo by Motti Verses)

Choui Fong Tea Plantation grows millions of tea plants. (photo by Motti Verses)

But Chiang Rai province totally surprised us with avant-garde temples that were relatively new and quite unexpected. The unconventional “neo-traditional” style of Buddhist art is reflected in the Blue Temple – Wat Rong Suea Ten, completed only 9 years ago. What a striking modern artistic design. The temple’s construction was initiated by the local community in 1996 to replace an old abandoned temple which previously stood on the site. Its design by local artist Phuttha Kabkaew left us tongue-tied.

However when we came across the work of art of Kabkaew’s master artist, our minds were completely blown. If there is a temple in Thailand that stands out from all others, it’s the stunning Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple – designed, constructed and opened to visitors in 1997. The genius behind this structural marvel is Chalermchai Kositpipat. A master artist might be an understatement. Kositpipat, a Chiang Rai born visual artist and primarily a painter, exhibits his works around the world. He is reputed for his use of Buddhist imagery in his art. His unfinished yet White Temple complex is more than mere eye candy. A unique fusion of religious symbolism and contemporary art. Traveling to this stunning sensation was by itself worth the entire trip.

The attractions here never cease to amaze. In front of a Royal Villa in a district of Chiang Rai, the admirable Mae Fah Luang garden makes visitors breathless. This extraordinary botanical garden is bright and colorful, cultivated with rare plants and flowers that wrap around the grounds.

Phuttha Kabkaew’s Blue Temple – Wat Rong Suea Ten, a striking modern artistic design. (photo by Motti Verses)

Chalermchai Kositpipat’s stunning Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple. (photo by Motti Verses)

The White Temple – A unique fusion of religious symbolism and contemporary art. (photo by Motti Verses)

The admirable Mae Fah Luang garden makes visitors breathless. (photo by Motti Verses)

But the highlight is yet to come. An hour drive and we are at The Golden Triangle, a region where Myanmar, Thailand and Laos meet on the Mekong river. Sailing on the mighty waterway is rewarding. It is a trans boundary river in East Asia and the world’s 12th longest and the 3rd longest in Asia. When I was a kid the name was associated with endless news bulletins on the Vietnam war. The Mekong Delta provided the US Navy a ground for endless bitter confrontations. But this region is far away. The Triangle we just visited has been famous as one of the largest opuim-producing areas of the world since the 1950s. As we enjoyed the breeze, witnessing the mega skyscrapers built on the Laos side, we were offered the opportunity to tour a small part of this neighboring country. We acknowledged. It was so quiet and different from Thailand. Two sides of a river and a world apart. It is important to remember that the Mekong boasts the world’s largest inland fishery. It accounts for up to 25% of the global freshwater catch and provides livelihoods for tens of millions of people.

We The Golden Triangle viewpoint – a remarkable place. (photo by Motti Verses)

Sailing in The Golden Triangle, a region where Myanmar, Thailand and Laos meet on the Mekong river. (photo by Motti Verses)

Mega skyscrapers built on the Laos side – Two sides of the Mekong and a world apart. (photo by Motti Verses)

Pong, our courteous Thai guide, takes us via rice fields to our pampering hotel in Chiang Rai. Greenery permeates this 159-room pampering  Le Méridien resort along the Mae Kok River.

I was curious to experience this American upscale, design-focused international hotel brand with  a European perspective. Le Méridien was originally founded by Air France in 1972 and was later based in  Britain. The brand hotels offered at that time accommodation for Air France flight crews in major hub cities. The airline promoted the brand and handled reservations for it. But that is a long gone history.  In the past the brand operated hotels also in Israel, popular mainly in Eilat and the Dead Sea, but it vanished like most of the global brands outside Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Gigantic Marriott now owns Le Méridien with more than 100 hotels globally. Away from central Paris, where the first hotel was launched more than 50 years ago – presenting a modern design identity with the “made in France” touch – we found ourselves in an off-the-radar north Thailand’s Chiang Rai hotel.

Surrounded by endless works of art of elephants, we were immediately inspired by the famous Lanna ancient Kingdom that was part of the 13th to the 18th centuries Greater India. A culture we heard so much about while visiting Chiang Mai. Elephants are the national animal of Thailand- they represent strength, loyalty and longevity. Thai and Buddhist literature about elephants are still the basis of popular stories nowadays.

We loved our guest room with the balcony overlooking the river, reflecting the authentic Thai atmosphere at its best in this unique hotel. We sometimes felt like we were on a river cruise without moving. Trails with colorful umbrellas hang above as artworks and sun protection. Trees with pink hanging lanterns lighting to mark the new year festival. Local farmers’ original offerings during breakfast. This hotel and the local culture coincide neck to neck.

The hotel is built around gigantic ancient trees along the river with a pampering swimming pool. (photo by Motti Verses)

Endless works of art of elephants reflect the famous Lanna ancient Kingdom atmosphere . (photo by Motti Verses)

Our guest room with the balcony overlooking the river was a thrill . (photo by Motti Verses)

Trails with colorful umbrellas hang above as artworks and sun protection. (photo by Motti Verses)

Local farmers’ original offerings during breakfast. (photo by Motti Verses)

With Thai General Manager, Aekphon Phothiphrom(right):”The unique architecture of the hotel, with the river dominating the scenery, is our main asset here”. (photo by Motti Verses)

“Le Méridien is a lifestyle casual brand that transmits a European ambiance, highlighting culture”, says experienced Thai General Manager, Aekphon Phothiphrom. “Here, in this 5 star Chiang Rai hotel, Lanna culture is of high importance since the hotel was opened 16 years ago. The hotel owners, constantly aware of the environment, built numerous structures around gigantic ancient trees along the river. The unique architecture of the hotel, with the river dominating the scenery, is our main asset here. We are extremely attractive to the international market. Most of our foreign guests arrive from the US, Europe, China and South Korea. Only 30% are local Thai”, he says.

Phothiphrom worked for 23 years at Marriott properties in Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui. He is well experienced with the potential of the Israeli tourist and his buying power. The charming  manager concludes with a message: “If you want to familiarize with the real Thailand I would recommend you to at least visit Chiang Rai and then you can continue to explore Bangkok or the islands. In that sense you have a complete understanding of my hospitable country”.

Absolutely. Chiang Rai province, a must while visiting Thailand.