Chiang Rai ready to welcome tourists as mercury drops

 

CHIANG RAI, 22 November 2016 (NNT) – Tourism officials in the northern province of Chiang Rai are gearing up for the tourist season as the cool weather continues to attract more visitors. 

Temperatures in Chiang Rai have reportedly been on a continuous decline, with recent readings standing at 17-23 degrees Celsius. The presence of thick fog is also reducing visibility levels both on land and on the Mekong River, especially in Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong districts, prompting a need for commuters to use extreme caution. 

On the other hand, the number of people traveling in and out of the country through the Thai-Lao border in Chiang Khong district is found to be increasing steadily. Ms Pranpreeya Pholyiam, Director of the Chiang Rai Tourism and Sports Office, stated that local tourism operators have been told to prepare adequate accommodations for the incoming visitors, with priority to be placed on their safety. 

According to the director, more than 3 million tourists came to Chiang Rai last year, allowing the province to earn about 20 billion baht. This year, the arrival number is expected to increase to 3.5 million or more, with revenue estimated to reach 25 billion baht.

 

-- nnt 2016-11-22

A glorious day today, this is what I call November weather!!!

Temperature has been dropping at night now north of Chiang Rai but glorious sun and blue cloudless skies during the day , perfect , not the same back in England and they can keep it.    Thailand in November and December , most lovely.

Are they calling it the Bonhomme Festival perchance?

I am sure the tourists will welcome the lower temperatures but perhaps not the fog the OP referred to.   He says they are "gearing up" for an increased number of tourists now that temperatures are more inviting, but as we are already only one week away from the end of November, does this mean that high season in Chiang Rai does not fully start until December?  If so, that makes for a very short high season.

so mercury levels in the rivers are low already? good to hear that :)

 

If you are in Chiang Khong pay a visit to the Cafe de Lao ... best omelette and peach ice tea in Thailand. Also, on the approach to the town there is a cafe by the river mekong ... great views from the cafe of the Mekong and Laos ... and surprisingly enough great views from the toilet ... worth a visit.  

Alas, when I'm in Chiang Khong nothing diverts me from the path to the Bamboo Mexican house. 

 

 

I'm thinking of visiting CR either next week or the week after.

 

Should I pack my cold weather gear?

For right now the weather is really nice but not cold.  That said things can change so a light jacket might be good to have just in case.  In the lowlands it is only cool at night or in the early morning hours but mountain top temperatures drop a lot more.  China has yet to send us any dramatic drops in temperature this year but I am hoping for something later this month.