Postal Zip & Area Codes
The
postal or zip code for Chiang Rai province is 57000. The telephone
area code is (053) if dialing from within Thailand or (66
53) if dialing from abroad.
Overseas
telephone calls
Overseas
fax and telephone calls can be made from several places in
Chiang Rai, including the general post office (GPO), all the
major hotels as well as from some of the guest houses and
travel agents. However, the cheapest rates for making international
calls are from the new Communications Authority of Thailand
(CAT) building situated on Ngam Meuang Road, Chiang Rai city
Center. It is open from 7.00 am until 11.00 pm each day and
offers (in addition to overseas calls) telegram, fax and telex
services.
Cellular
telephone
Although
not as widespread as Bangkok, cellular or mobile phone usage
is definitely on the increase in Chiang Rai. Whether it is
used as a business tool, fashion item or simply as a status
accessory, the Thai “mobile” craze looks like it is here to
stay.
With
the advent of new technology, i.e. international roaming,
visitors can also use their cellular phones when in Thailand,
providing their particular system and handset is suitable.
The systems currently available in Chiang Rai are:
|
Digital
|
Analogue
|
|
GSM
900
|
New
800
|
|
PCN
1800
|
Cellular
900
|
The
reception quality for mobile phone usage varies depending
upon what part of the province the call is made or received
from. Obviously within the city itself, there is fairly good
cell network coverage, so calls on most systems should work
well. Reports vary, however, on how well cellular phones work
generally within the hills and mountains surrounding the city.
It is, therefore, rather a hit and miss situation for those
planning to take a mobile phone to this northern province.
Post
offices
Throughout
Chiang Rai province there are several small post offices and
sub-post offices. All post offices are normally open Monday
to Friday, 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. and on Saturday from 9.00
a.m. to 12.00 noon. The post office at the Chiang Rai International
airport, however, is open from 8.30 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. It has
telegram, overseas fax and telephone facilities.
The
general post office or GPO, is situated on Uttarakit Road
at the north of Suksathit Road. International calls can be
made here also.
Internet
Access and Internet Cafés
Most
of the major hotels in Chiang Rai city have a business Center
that will allow its guests to send and receive e-mails. The
alternative is to use the services of an Internet café.
Presently, there is only one such place located between Chiang
Rai and Mae Sai, although more and more guest-houses are beginning
to offer e-mail services.
The
cost per hour varies and will no doubt decrease, as competition
between the various establishments increases. Visitors can
expect to pay anything from 20 baht to 100 baht an hour depending
on level of service provided.
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