Philosophy for Life: Chiang raI Province that I visited

While participating for the seminar concerning about the Buddhism, it’s problems while practicing and resolutions, with my colleagues ASEAN BUDDHIST COMMUNITY (ABC) members, from twenty three to twenty four of this month, I had good opportunity to visit Chiang Rai province a lonely planet in northernmost part of Thailand. It is bordered by the Shan State of Myanmar to the north, Bokeo Province of Laos to the east,Phayao to the south, Lampang to the southwest, and Chiang Mai to the west. Though, I had heard a lots about Chiang Rai province, I never been there. The average elevation of the province is 580 metres (1,900 ft). The north of the province is part of the so-called Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Burma converge, an area which prior to the rise of agricultural production of coffee, pineapple, coconuts, and banana plantations, was unsafe because of drug smuggling across the borders. The Mekong River forms the boundary with Laos, the Mae Sai and Ruak River with Burma. Through the town of Chiang Rai itself, flows the “Mae Kok” Kok River and south of it the Lao River, a tributary of the Kok.

While the eastern part of the province is characterized by relatively flat river plains, the northern and western part consist of the hilly terrain of the Thai highlands with the Khun Tan Range and the Phi Pan Nam Range in the west and the Daen Lao Range in the north. While not the highest elevation of the province, the 1,389-metre (4,557 ft) high[2] Doi Tung (“flag hill”) is the most important terrain feature. The Wat Phra That Doi Tung temple on top of the hill, according to the chronicles, dates back to the year 911. Nearby is the Doi Tung royal villa, former residence of the late princess mother (mother of the present king) Somdej Phra Srinagarindra. Thanks to her activities the hills were reforested, and the hill tribes diverted from growing opium poppies to other crops including coffee, bananas, coconuts, and pineapples.

For the first time, when, I saw the place with my own two eyes, I could not imagine beauty of it. The mountains, lands, rivers etc could be compared to the beauty in the country like Switzerland.

The Golden Triangle (สามเหลี่ยมทองคำ), locally called “Sop Ruak”, is where the Mekong meets the Ruak River and also where the borders of three countries, Laos, Burma, and Thailand, converge. There are the remains of ancient structures attesting to the area having been long-settled.

Chiang Saen (เชียงแสน): an ancient town which once served as the main town before King Mengrai established Chiang Rai as the capital of theLanna Kingdom in 1262. Traces of old double city walls and many other antiquities still remain in and outside the district town. The attractions include Chiang Saen National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติเชียงแสน), Wat Phra That Chedi Luang (วัดพระธาตุเจดีย์หลวง), and Wat Pa Sak (วัดป่าสัก).

Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park (Rai Mae Fah Luang) is in Pa Ngiw Village, about 5 kilometers from the city center. It was founded by the late princess mother, who bought a 140 rai plot to set up a center for developing the youths from rural areas under the supervision of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation. The garden is a park cum museum preserving Lanna cultural objects.

Doi Tung is a revered mountain which includes the Doi Tung Palace and the Mae Fa Luang Flower Garden. The Wat Phra That Doi Tung Holy Relic, an old religious site on top of the mountain, is about 2,000 metres above sea level.

Having Green Tea at Doi Tung

Relaxing Fresh Air at Doi Tung

Inhabitants of the district are very kind. They are very friendly. When they talk each other, use very polite and lovely words, father and mother to the older people, brother and sister to the elder than themselves, which is very rare to see in town. Their smiles define their purity in heart and mind. Their speech (speaking words) demonstrates or implies unity within diversity.