Chalermphrakiat Clock Tower

The Chalermphrakiat Clock Tower stands on a roundabout in central Chiang Rai, a gold-painted landmark designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat — the same artist behind the city’s White Temple, Wat Rong Khun. Built as a tribute to the monarchy, it functions as both a working clock and a piece of public Lanna-influenced art. It’s free to visit at any time, though most people plan around the nightly light show.

By day, the gold detailing and traditional Thai motifs catch the sun clearly enough to photograph well. After dark, the tower runs a short light-and-sound show at 19:00, 20:00, and 21:00 — coloured lighting projected onto the tower and surrounding roundabout, synced to Thai music, lasting a few minutes each time. It’s a popular enough moment that a small crowd usually gathers on the surrounding pavement for each showing.

Insider Tip: Arrive 10–15 minutes before a scheduled show time to get a clear sightline — the roundabout’s pavement fills in fast once the lights start.

The tower sits within easy walking distance of Chiang Rai’s central hotels and night bazaar, so it fits naturally into an evening out rather than requiring a dedicated trip. If Chalermchai Kositpipat’s work is what draws you here, Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple) is the same artist’s much larger, more elaborate project — worth the extra drive out of town if the clock tower’s scale leaves you wanting more.

Watch out: The roundabout has live traffic circling it — cross at the marked pedestrian points rather than cutting across the road for a photo angle.

Getting there on foot from most central Chiang Rai accommodation takes 5–15 minutes. Pair an evening visit with dinner at Chiang Rai Walking Street (open Saturday and Sunday evenings) if your dates line up, or simply combine it with a stroll around the night bazaar area any evening of the week.