Chiang Rai River Beach

Chiang Rai Beach is located on the river banks of the Kok River, a little out of town near the Queen Sikrit Park. To get here, it requires an approximately 15-minute ride or drive from the center of Chiang Rai. You can either ride here yourself if you’ve rented a scooter, or, alternatively, take a Tuk Tuk or Songthaew. The cost of getting here from the Chiang Rai city center is roughly 50 Baht.

Tip: Motorbike rental price in Chiang Rai: 150 -200 Baht per day. If you stay at Grace Hostel, the owner can arrange a motorbike for you. This hostel is also a great bet, and located much closer to the Chiang Rai River Beach.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT CHIANG RAI BEACH

Like I mentioned, Chiang Rai Beach isn’t your typical “beach” in Thailand. However, funnily enough, you’ll still find those quintessential Thai tourism cliches setup on the shore including massage huts and restaurants!

There are tall and jagged rock formations and a Buddha statue resting on a rock on the other side of the river bank. The entire scene is relaxing and beautiful. Preferring nature to the hustle and bustle of city life (even tame Chiang Rai), I found this spot to be my favorite place to spend time in the city.

When I visited Chiang Rai Beach on the first occasion, it was relatively quiet and secluded. I noticed that most of the small businesses there weren’t operating, which meant that I had the entire “beach” or riverbank, to myself.

On the following visits, however, I met other backpackers and travelers who had come down in the early afternoon to relax and cool off in the fresh flowing river water. The water flow was calm enough to swim in, although you’d need to be careful if there’s been a downpour.

Address: Rop Wiang Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand

Hours: 
Closed ⋅ Opens 9AM Thu
Phone: +66 62 997 8750