Chiang Rai is part of the old Lanna kingdom which was defeated and then annexed by the Siamese. Language is different, written script (nowadays only used in temples) is different, people are different. 8 provinces make up the Lanna North: CR, CM, Mae Hong Son, Prae, Lampung, Lampang, Phayao and Nan (sorry if spelling's not right - writing this from memory - can't be bothered to google it). Some of these provinces existed only recently - back then it was I think just CR and CM. For example, Phayao (supposedly the most beautiful girls are from here) split from CR to form a new province 30 years back.
When you hear females use "chao" instead of "kha" and "nu" instead of "chan", you know they are from the north.
Some images from a recent visit.
When it gets cold, a favourite dish is Chim Chum - like a hotspot. While it does get chilly, it isn't really that cold unless you're in the mountains but everyone takes the chance to "dress up" in "winter" clothes.
Not uncommon to sit on floor and eat in public.
Lanna banner's everywhere. It's called "tung". Different colors signify different events.
Thais love to dance. Here's a mass line dance in a circle in a park (Suan Tung Lae Khom)
Northern girls are, on the average, very pretty. Here's a girl selling Som Tum at the Talad Thesaban (Municipal Market)
Chiang Rai landmark: the Clock Tower
Famous seller of a desert called Bua Loi, at the Night Bazaar. She has a line that averages 20 people at any time. Bua Loi is like our BoBoChaCha. Coconut cream, glutinous rice balls, some coconut flesh
Here's what it looks like
Stayed here:
Balcony View overlooks the Kok River: