Central Plaza - Chiang Rai changes forever

The chain of departments stores operated by Central are to build on the presently empty plot of land opposite the BigC supercentre in Chiang Rai, probably helping to change this sleepy city forever. I have mixed feelings about such progress. On the one hand, it'll be good to have the sort of goods available to me that might otherwise mean a trip to Chiang Mai. On the other hand, even in the eight years I've been visiting, and more recently, living in Chiang Rai, I've seen many of the attractions for coming here in the first place evaporate. On the superhighway that now goes through the city, there are now huge billboards, erected in the last few months, of the kind you see along Bangkok expressways. It really blights the feel of the place, which is now starting to feel like any other Thai city. Traffic is becoming more congested, drivers more impolite and in a hurry... I don't know what to think to be honest.

could be a good thing maybe, no need to go far for shopping.

Mandrunk:
I understand this project was on the drawing board for some years and now the economy is picking up again so it is going ahead. Yes, I to have mixed feeling about the speed of development in CR as I still recall my first trip here in 1995 and the next year again on my way to Luang Prabang. Having based here half-time since 2005, I have seen lots of changes. The latest trend seem to be chic cafes especially along the Mae Chan- Mae Sai highway. They are like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.
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