Travel from Nakhon Ratchasima to Chiang Rai

By bus the journey from Nakhon Ratchasima to Chiang Rai is scheduled to take 14 hours. The other way to do this journey would be to fly direct from Nakhon Ratchasima to Chiang Mai, and then to take a bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai.

Bus Times from Nakhon Ratchasima to Chiang Rai

There are currently 3 direct bus services a day from Nakhon Ratchasima to Chiang Rai available to book online.

Buy Tickets from Nakhon Ratchasima to Chiang Rai

Use the Search Box below to buy bus tickets from Nakhon Ratchasima to Chiang Rai:

Nakhon Ratchasima Bus Station

Bus services from Nakhon Ratchasima to Chiang Mai depart from Nakhon Ratchasima Terminal 2.

Chiang Rai Bus Station

• Bus services from Nakhon Ratchasima to Chiang Mai terminate at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2.

About Travel to Chiang Rai

With a population of around 70,000 permanent residents, Chiang Rai is the last major town in Thailand before you reach the infamous Golden Triangle where two rivers intersect to create a three way border between Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. As well as being a transport hub to the remote and wild areas along that border, Chiang Rai is also a popular destination in its own right largely on account of the impressive temples in the area.

Most Popular Temples in Chiang Rai

The most popular of these temples are located a short distance out of town, and easily accessible via a short tuk-tuk ride or, in the case of Wat Rong Khun, by public bus:

• Wat Rong Khun, better known as the White Temple, is an intricate work of art featuring a series of interconnected buildings covered in white plaster mixed with glass. The temple is designed to represent the Buddhist cycle of birth, death and re-birth. Admission is 50 THB for foreign visitors.
• Wat Rong Seur Ten, also known as the Blue Temple, is an impressive newly constructed blue temple with a single large shrine hall. Admission is free.
• Wat Huay Pla Kang is the largest and most impressive of the temples near Chiang Rai. This temple has three main points of interest: a 26 storey high statue of Guan Yin (the goddess of mercy), a hugely impressive prayer hall, and a 9 level Chinese style pagoda. Admission is free.

Other Temples in Chiang Rai

There are also some interesting and historically important temples within Chiang Rai town itself that almost no foreign visitors ever go to:

• Wat Mung Muang is a beautiful Lanna style temple with a fantastic wooden shrine hall packed full of paintings and statues. Admission is free.
• Wat Phra Sing is a 14th century temple which once hosted the Phra Singh Buddha statue, which is believed to be a replica of a long lost statue of the Lord Buddha that once resided in Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya in India, where the Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. The wooden ordination hall at this temple is a classic example of Lanna style architecture. Admission is free.
• Wat Phra Kaew is the most significant of the town centre temples in Chiang Rai. Wat Phra Kaew is where, according to legend, the Emerald Buddha was discovered inside a chedi tower which was split open by lightning in 1434. The temple has lots of points of interest including a museum inside a wooden building. Admission is free.