Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is located 785 km away from Bangkok. It is the northernmost province of Thailand and a home to breathtaking mountains, waterfalls, hot springs, river valleys, caves and many more. It is also a settlement of some hilltribes such as Karen, Akha, Lisu, Meo and Muser. Once, the province was made famous by Golden Triangle where 3 countries; Myanmar, Laos and Thailand converge at the banks of Mekong River.
Mountainous and alluring, Chiang Rai is one of the best spots to do trekking in Thailand. The provincial capital of the same name is home to a wide range of excellent accommodation, from five-star international hotels to cheap backpacker guesthouses, as well as some great eating spots, with most cuisines covered and swish Western/Thai style coffee houses boasting free WiFi starting to multiply.
This place also retains some of the small-town charm now relatively lacking in places like Chiang Mai and Bangkok, remaining the kind of place where a child might shout "Hello" from the back of their parents' motorbike as they speed past. Chiang Rai has a charm which has disappeared from many of Thailands cities, such as Chiang Mai and most certainly, Bangkok.