Mae Fah Luang - Chiang Rai International Airport
Chiang Rai, Thailand
Mae Fah Luang - Chiang Rai International Airport
Northern Thailand's gateway to the Golden Triangle region.
- ›Named after Princess Srinagarindra, known as Mae Fah Luang, mother of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
- ›Located approximately 8 km north of Chiang Rai city center.
- ›Serves as a gateway to the Golden Triangle region where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet.
- ›Received increased international attention following the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue near Chiang Rai.
- ›Handles both domestic routes and limited international services to neighboring countries.
Mae Fah Luang - Chiang Rai International Airport serves as the primary air gateway to Thailand's northernmost major city, Chiang Rai. Named in honour of the revered Princess Mother Mae Fah Luang, the airport reflects the regal cultural heritage of the region. It connects travellers to the storied landscapes of the Golden Triangle, Chiang Rai's famous White Temple, and the border regions of Myanmar and Laos.
- Passenger Terminal — A single modern terminal handling both domestic and limited international flights with traditional Lanna-inspired architectural accents.
- Metered taxis available outside the arrivals hall
- Airport shuttle minivans serving Chiang Rai city centre
- Songthaew shared red trucks operating on fixed routes into town
- Car rental desks from major providers including Avis and Budget inside the terminal
- Private transfer services bookable through hotels and tour operators
- Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort
- Dusit Island Resort Chiang Rai
- The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort
- Wangcome Hotel
- Mercure Chiang Rai Mae Sai
Inside the terminal, passengers will find a modest selection of Thai food stalls, coffee shops, and convenience outlets catering to pre-flight needs. The areas surrounding the airport offer local northern Thai cuisine including khao soi and sai oua sausage at nearby roadside restaurants. Chiang Rai city centre, roughly 8 kilometres away, hosts a vibrant night market and numerous restaurants serving authentic Lanna dishes.
- Arrange transport to Chiang Rai city in advance as metered taxis can be limited during peak hours.
- Carry Thai baht in cash as ATM availability inside the terminal is limited.
- The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) is approximately 13 kilometres south of the airport and easy to visit en route to the city.
- Check seasonal fog advisories from November to February as early morning flights can experience delays.
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Mae Fah Luang – Chiang Rai International Airport is in Ban Du subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai district, Chiang Rai province in northern Thailand. The airport is about 8 km from the city center. Since 1998, it has been managed by the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT). In 2013, the airport handled over 1,000,000 passengers and 7,000 passenger flights. The airport had international flight facilities and served a few international routes to Macau, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming, Haikou, Hangzhou, Changsha, Xishuangbanna, Shenzhen, and Chengdu, all of which were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since travel restrictions were imposed in China, there have been no international commercial flights connecting Chiang Rai to the global market. Thus, the airport has been seeking other possible routes to connect to such as to South Korea.
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