CHIANG RAI – As the clock tower ticks towards midnight tonight, its warm light washing over the countdown crowd, the province pauses before stepping into 2026. The past 12 months pushed Thailand hard, and Chiang Rai felt every shift in its own way.
2025 brought bright moments and painful ones, progress alongside setbacks, and plenty of days that called for patience and steady nerves.
From Bangkok’s busy streets to Chiang Rai’s cool, misty hills, the country faced political shocks, natural disasters, and a tricky economy, yet still found room for community spirit, cultural pride, and a quiet will to keep going.
The year opened with upbeat energy from the “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025” campaign, built to bring visitor numbers closer to pre-pandemic levels. January also marked a major step for equality, as same-sex marriage became legal.
The change drew attention from across the world, with couples travelling to Thailand to register. Public celebrations, including a Guinness World Record attempt linked to LGBTQ+ marriages, added to the feeling that the country was moving forward.
Political Unrest Shook Thailand
Even so, 2025 will stick in the memory for political instability. In June, a leaked phone call between then-Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia’s Hun Sen set off a crisis that quickly changed the balance of power.
When the Bhumjaithai Party pulled out of the coalition, the government lost its majority. Paetongtarn was suspended, then removed by the Constitutional Court in August.
The political fallout did not stay in Bangkok. Border tensions intensified and grew into the 2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict. Fighting in disputed areas forced thousands to leave their homes and put a heavy strain on relations between the two countries. A ceasefire brokered by Malaysia later in the year brought some calm, but it felt uncertain.
In the North, daily life continued with local concerns taking priority, yet the national turmoil highlighted a clear need for steady leadership, especially for regional development and long-term planning.
Proud Moments on the World Stage
Thailand still found ways to shine in 2025, particularly in culture and sport. At Miss Universe 2025 in Nonthaburi, Praveenar Singh took first runner-up and drew global attention. The 33rd SEA Games, hosted across the country with events held in the North, brought Southeast Asia together and helped local businesses in host areas.
Chiang Rai had its own standout moment in December, hosting the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Destination Marketing Forum at the Heritage Chiang Rai Hotel & Convention. Under the theme “Steeped in Tradition, Rooted in Wellness”, the forum welcomed more than 320 delegates from 18 countries.
It also put a spotlight on Chiang Rai’s status as a UNESCO Creative City of Design. Technical tours introduced visitors to strong examples of sustainable tourism, including Doi Tung’s Royal Project, Akha cultural performances in Pha Mee, and artisan communities producing local crafts. The message was simple and clear: Chiang Rai can offer travel that feels meaningful, grounded, and thoughtful.
Festivals and Seasonal Events
Traditional festivals helped carry the year, bringing colour and togetherness to towns and villages. Yi Peng in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai drew large crowds, with lanterns rising into the night sky as a symbol of letting go of bad luck.
Chiang Rai’s Loy Krathong celebrations at the ROTC Field ran from late October into early November, mixing food markets, funfairs, and stage shows that kept families out late.
The cool season brought flowers and big crowds. The Chiang Rai Flower Festival turned public parks into bright displays filled with tulips and lilies. The ASEAN Flower Festival spread across districts, helping trade return in places that had struggled after flooding, including Mae Sai.
In February, the International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta at Singha Park filled the sky with bright balloons and brought days of music, food, and evening “night glow” shows.
Elsewhere in Thailand, major events helped boost sports tourism and entertainment. The Thailand Biennale in Phuket, MotoGP in Buriram, and the Amazing Thailand Marathon in Bangkok each drew visitors and media coverage.
The filming of The White Lotus Season 3 in Thailand also lifted international visibility, with LISA’s acting debut adding extra attention.
Losses and Disasters that Left Deep Marks
Alongside the celebrations, the country faced heavy grief. On 24 October, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, passed away, and Thailand entered a period of national mourning. Many remembered her long work supporting rural communities, traditional crafts, and the SUPPORT Foundation. Tributes and quiet ceremonies took place across the country, honouring a figure linked to Thailand’s modern story.
Nature also struck hard. A 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar sent tremors into Bangkok, with nearly 100 lives lost when buildings collapsed. Later in the year, severe flooding hit the South, with Hat Yai in Songkhla among the worst affected.
Record rainfall, including 335mm in a single day, described as the heaviest in 300 years, contributed to a national death toll of more than 260, with many deaths linked to electrocution and accidents. More than two million people were displaced, and local economies took serious damage.
Chiang Rai faced its own emergencies. Rising water levels in the Kok River in July led to evacuations, and earlier in the year, poor air quality and smog forced school closures. Elsewhere, a fireworks factory explosion in Suphan Buri killed nine, a harsh reminder of the risks when safety rules fall short.
There was one rare note of relief in January, when five Thai hostages held by Hamas were released, bringing comfort to families and communities following the news closely.
The Economy Tightens, Tourism Falls Short
On the economic front, 2025 was a tough year. Growth stayed around 2 to 3 per cent, weighed down by political uncertainty, a strong baht, and global trade concerns. Tourism, often the country’s strongest engine, did not meet expectations.
Arrivals came in at around 33 million, below hopes of 39 million. Worries about crime, flooding, and border tensions all played a part, though wellness travel and sustainable tourism continued to attract steady interest.
Chiang Rai saw some encouraging signs. The province was ranked second globally as the safest city for female digital nomads, which helped pull in remote workers looking for calm surroundings, mountain views, and a strong local culture.
Community-led tourism also grew, with more interest in zero-waste treks, local homestays, and small group experiences that support villages directly.
Chiang Rai in 2025: Steady Progress in the North
In Chiang Rai, 2025 brought a mix of wins and warnings. Hosting the PATA Forum helped raise the province’s profile. Seasonal festivals and flower events supported traders and small businesses, while Singha Park’s balloon fiesta and Doi Tung’s eco-tours kept visitor numbers ticking along and helped hill tribe artisans reach new customers.
At the same time, flood alerts along the Kok and Mae Sai rivers tested local readiness and reminded communities how quickly conditions can change. Recovery work after past floods continued, with more focus on stronger infrastructure and practical steps that match Thailand’s sustainability goals.
Heading into 2026: Cautious Hope
As 2025 closes, hopes for the year ahead feel real, even if they are cautious.
A steadier political chapter
With possible elections ahead, many people want calmer leadership that can focus on the economy, jobs, and confidence at home and abroad.
Tourism growth, shared more widely
Plans to expand the night-time economy and promote secondary cities could spread income beyond the usual hotspots, and Chiang Rai is well placed to benefit.
Sustainable tourism and wellness in Chiang Rai
Building on the PATA Forum’s momentum, Chiang Rai is likely to see more interest in wellness stays, creative workshops, and low-impact outdoor trips.
Recovery and unity after a disaster
Communities have shown strong support for one another during floods and loss. That spirit can push for better disaster planning and faster response in the future.
A lively events calendar
Songkran, Yi Peng, and other festivals should bring people together again, with new local events also helping to celebrate regional identity.
Tonight, as lanterns rise above Chiang Rai and the countdown begins, the province carries forward the lessons of 2025: stay close as a community, take pride in tradition, and keep faith in better days. May 2026 bring peace, steady work, and fresh joy to Chiang Rai, the Golden Triangle, and Thailand as a whole.
