Founded in 2008 as Naresuan University’s Education Service Center, Chiang Rai Campus or CRC was meant to be a vital portal for equal access to quality education in Chiang Rai and many other provinces in the northern region of Thailand. After University of Phayao (UP) gained independence from Naresuan University in 2010, CRC became part of UP. Since then, CRC has been UP’s prolific engine to develop society, arts, cultures, and many other things necessary for upholding humanity.
In 2008, Communication Technology Center of Naresuan University (the former name of the present Chiang Rai Campus) received a land grant of 25 Rai from The Chiang Rai Public Land Management Bureau to build a campus for the benefit of surrounding communities and nearby provinces in the northern region of Thailand. Administrative building and UP Rim Kok Residence, consisting of 24 units, were built in the land given.
In the beginning, Chiang Rai Campus offered the Master of Engineering Program in Construction Management, by the Office of Special Education. Faculty members and students of the Program comparatively provided educational services to the public, particularly in terms of water management. That was a clear evidence of the University of Phayao’s determination: Wisdom for Community Empowerment.
At present, Chiang Rai Campus, located at 333/1 Moo 4, Rim Kok, Muang, Chiang Rai 57100, offers 5 Master’s Degrees on weekends: Master of Education in Educational Administration, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Science (Applied Geoinformatics), Master of Law, and Master of Business Administration. Besides educational services, Chiang Rai Campus also offers University of Phayao’s faculty and staff members as well as the public 24 hotel rooms at UP Rim Kok Residence, meeting rooms of different sizes, banquet room, and open space to organize activities.