Chiang Rai.

Remember the old clock tower in Chiang Rai? Back when the place was just a sleepy little market town? Well things have changed. Chiang Rai now has a brand new clock tower designed by famous Thai artist Ajarn Chalermchai Khositphiphat in an elaborate Lanna style. Chalermchai’s current incarnation is the creative force behind the famous White Temple or Wat Rong Khun situated just South of Chiang Rai. The temple is an ongoing project begun in 1998 where you’ll also find an exhibition of Chalermchai’s paintings showing a range of work based on Buddhist themes, impermanence, freedom from desire etc. along with more contemporary comments on things like globalization and nuclear war. Well worth a visit.

Apart from the clock tower Chiang Rai now has a new bus station a walking street and of course a Tesco Lotus ....even a Q Bar!. And, great news for cholesterol lovers, the All Day English Breakfast has found it's way up from Pattaya! Now you can enjoy a full range of exotic delicacies like Shepherd's Pie, Bangers and Mash and Beans On Toast while you watch your favourite premier League teams on flat screen TV. Life is change.