Agriculture predominates in the legitimate commerce of Chiang Rai Province: rice, tobacco and fruit are most important.

The Chamber of Commerce is on Highway 1, well past Big C Mall and Si-yak Mae Gon, about a half kilometer past the city limits, in a building complex on the south side of Highway 1.

There are three main department stores: Big C, Edison and Appy. Big C can be the place to be, especially weekend evenings and holidays. There's a food mall you buy tickets for, restaurants, small fashion shops and the city's biggest selection at low prices. This may be hurting the ubiquitous little Mom and Pop corner stores, but other locals love it, and go smiling and often looking at their happy best.

Prominent banks are: Krung Thai, Bangkok, Thai Military, Thai Farmers, Siam Commercial, Bank of Ayudhya, Siam City, Bangkok Metropolitan, Bank of Asia, Thai Danu, Radanasin and Government Savings.

The Tanalai Road business area has multitudes of interesting shops, including Thai Tea, religious accessories shops, opticians, many things quite modern, and the central (and biggest) open market (24 hours).

The region's location between disparate areas has long been important to its commerce, and remains important to the growing tourism business. Smuggling, prostitution and other illegal activities are a significant part of the local economy. In the countryside, many people see very little cash at all yet manage OK without it.