Central Chiangrai, formerly known as CentralPlaza Chiang Rai, is a shopping centre on Phahonyothin Road south of Chiang Rai’s city centre. It combines department-store shopping, supermarket supplies, restaurants and entertainment with a design that draws on northern Thai art and local identity.
It is a useful indoor break between sightseeing stops, whether you want lunch, travel supplies or time out of the heat and rain. The mall is in Chiang Rai, a separate city from Chiang Mai, so include it in a Chiang Rai itinerary rather than as a nearby Chiang Mai shopping stop.
Shops, Dining and Entertainment
The centre’s retail mix covers clothing, books, electronics, sporting goods and groceries. Robinson and Tops are among the larger shopping anchors, with specialist stores providing a reason to visit beyond browsing souvenirs.
Restaurants and casual food outlets make the mall convenient for a meal with several people who want different dishes. Check menus and opening times at the individual outlet, especially if you arrive close to the mall’s opening or closing time.
Cinema screenings offer another way to spend part of an afternoon or evening. Before buying a ticket, check the language, subtitles and finish time, then consider how you will return to your accommodation after the film.
Lanna Art and Landscape Design
The centre’s Lanna art theme gives the building and public spaces a connection to Chiang Rai’s creative culture. Look beyond the storefronts at the decorative details and outdoor areas if architecture and design interest you.
The original landscape project by Shma drew inspiration from the surrounding mountain contours and the local ngiew tree. Its collaboration with ceramic artist Somluk Pantiboon included a five-piece sculpture associated with a cascading water feature, reflecting stages in the tree’s life cycle. These details explain the design’s origins; later refurbishment means the mall should not be treated as an unchanged display of the original scheme.
You can appreciate the public areas during an ordinary shopping visit. It is still a working commercial centre, so access to outdoor sections and displays can be affected by events, maintenance and changes to the layout.
Opening Hours and Planning Your Visit
The published centre schedule is 10:30am to 9pm on weekdays and 10am to 9pm on weekends. Public holidays, special events and individual tenants can follow different arrangements, so check separately if a particular restaurant, service or screening is your main reason for visiting.
The address is 99/9 Moo 13, Phahonyothin Road, Rob Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai. A taxi or other arranged local transport is practical from the centre of town. Confirm the pickup location for your return trip, particularly after a late meal or film.
Central Chiangrai FAQs
Is Central Chiangrai the old CentralPlaza Chiang Rai?
Yes. Central Chiangrai is the current name for the shopping centre formerly called CentralPlaza Chiang Rai. The old name still appears in some maps, reviews and travel references.
Where is the shopping centre?
It is on Phahonyothin Road in Rob Wiang, south of Chiang Rai’s city centre. It is not one of the Central shopping centres in Chiang Mai, so check the city when arranging transport.
What are the regular opening hours?
The published schedule is 10:30am-9pm on weekdays and 10am-9pm on weekends. Confirm holiday hours and any separate tenant timetable before making a time-sensitive visit.
Do you need a ticket to enter?
General shopping-centre entry is free. Purchases, meals, cinema tickets and other paid services have their own prices; check any parking conditions separately if driving.
Is it useful on a rainy day?
The indoor shopping and dining areas make it a practical option in wet weather. Outdoor design features are better explored when conditions permit, rather than being the focus of a heavy-rain visit.
How much time should you spend there?
One to two hours is enough for a meal and general browsing. Allow longer for extensive shopping or a film, and leave time for transport back to your hotel.
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