Night Life
    Chiang Rai is a small city so of course it is not in the same league as Bangkok or even Chiang Mai for night life. However, there are still lots of places to go out, to see and to be seen. The most convenient is the Night Bazaar. Starting around 8 pm, the area near the bus station comes alive with tribal vendors, musicians, transgender singing groups, etc. It is a good place to shop, eat and drink and walk around.
     A recently popular hangout with the young hip crowd is at Sohub, on the corner of Sanambin and Banphaprakan roads. If you want a more lively scene with live music, head south about 2 km on Ratanaket Rd and look for a billboard advertising the discos on your left. With clubs named MTV, Sperm, The Womb, Hot Beat and Par Club, etc. how can you go wrong? The Par Club is the biggest and the entrance is shaped like a UFO. Don't expect to have a quiet conversation and beware, that cute girl you are dancing with might not really be a girl.
    The other lively place until about 11 pm is Chiang Rai Beach. You'll need some form of transportation to get there as it about 8 km from the city but it is considered "romantic" and one of the few places where you might just see Thai people kissing in public. Go west on Sankhong Rd.
    The go-go bars are limited to a small strip near the Wang Come Hotel, off Jetyod Rd., near the clock tower. Girls trying to drag you inside indicates you have found it. Technically nude dancing is illegal in Thailand but this tends to be overlooked by the local authorities and one of these go-go bars is even owned by a police officer. Another technically illegal activity is the "Ap Op Nuat" or bathing then massage with a little extra on the side. The only places in Chiang Rai to offer this service are the Dusit and the Wiang Inn in their "massage" parlors.
     For those looking to relax and have a beer, there are numerous beer bars in the back of the Night Bazaar and on Jetyod Rd, near the Wang Come hotel.
    A couple places you might want to try to get off the tourist circuit are Sabun Nga, Be Fine and Bai Bon. Sabun Nga is on San Khong Noi road. Go south from the Night Bazaar about 1 km, turn right at the first light and go past the hospital about 1.5 kilometers. It is on your left. Be Fine is owned by a talented artist and musician. It is located across the street from the Old Airport on Sanambin Rd. It will be on your right when going south from the Chiang Rai public hospital. Bai Bon is a recent success story where a fine combination of good music, attractive waitresses and delicious food at cheap prices has resulted in a crowded restaurant nearly every night. It is on Uttaradit Rd., about 1.5 km northwest of the Night Bazaar.
    Finally, for romantic dining, go north on the superhighway. Just as you are approaching the bridge to go over the Maekok river, exit to the left and do a U-turn under the bridge. Take your first left and you will find a group of restaurants overlooking the river. Take your pick!