Chiang Rai has local government, provincial government and representatives to the national government in Bangkok, with administration divided into Mu-ban (village), Tambon (group of villages), Tetsaban (municipality), Amphoe (district; and Ging Amphoe, not yet full-fledged, sub-district) and Changwat (province). There were many political parties, such as New Aspiration, Social Action, and Chat Pattanna, but only the Democratic Party remains to rival Thai Rak Thai. Chiang Rai has 8 MP's (members of parliament), one for every 150,000 citizens.

All citizens have the right to participate in all public elections in their area, if they are of age (old enough) and have not been institutionalized for crimes or insanity.

As in all civilized places, law enforcement in Chiang Rai involves a police force, courts with judges, jails and record keeping. The police station, tourist police station, courts and town hall are all in the area of Wat Klang Wiang and Wat Pra Singh. There are holding cells at the many police stations, and a prison at Doi Hang (by Loi Kong Khao, west of town south of the river).

There are different branches of police, including Crime Suppression, Drug Suppression, Border Patrol, Traffic and Tourist. Time in a Thai jail is sometimes humorously referred to as Thai language lessons.

The Provincial Hall is on Doi Thong, and the district office on Tanarai Road between Suksatit and Rattanakhet, by the courthouse. Provincial governmnet documents are kept at the district and provincial halls; the police and courts keep their own.

There are local newspapers to record local events, including Chiang Rai News, the Nakorn Chiang Rai newspaper, Chaing Rat and a local culture magazine.

There's a library on Tha Nam Road, near the Goh Loi YMCA school.

Police station: tel 711444, 744266.

Tourist Police: tel 711786, 717779 or 717796.