Mae Fah Luang - Chiang Rai International Airport

VTCT / CEI

Chiang Rai, TH

Last Updated
Jun 15, 09:00Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 28 min ago
09:00Z

☀️ Day
VFR
Flight Rules
32°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 23°C
7 kt
170°
10+ km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
1006 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR VTCT 150900Z 17007KT 140V210 9999 SCT045 32/23 Q1006 NOSIG

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 1,280 ft
SCT 4,500 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
4,500 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
5,780 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

VFR

Mae Fah Luang - Chiang Rai International Airport is currently reporting visual flight rules (VFR) conditions with scattered clouds at 4,500 feet and 10 miles or greater visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the south (170°) at 7 knots. Runway 21 is favored with a 5-knot headwind and 4-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is unrestricted. No ceiling exists. Cloud layers reported: scattered at 4,500 ft.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 32°C (90°F) with a dewpoint of 23°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions. High temperatures at this elevation may result in significant density altitude effects. Pilots should calculate density altitude and adjust performance expectations accordingly.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 30 hours. The forecast shows a transition between VFR and IFR conditions. Pilots should monitor the forecast closely and have an alternate airport plan. Expected weather includes: Thunderstorm Rain, Light Thunderstorm Rain. Temporary IFR conditions are forecast with Thunderstorm Rain between 08:00Z and 14:00Z. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Light Thunderstorm Rain between 16:00Z and 20:00Z. Temporary MVFR conditions are forecast with Light Thunderstorm Rain between 22:00Z and 02:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

Conditions are favorable for visual flight. The forecast indicates conditions may deteriorate. Ensure you have fuel reserves and a viable alternate airport.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

QNH
1006 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
963 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (1,280 ft)
Pressure Alt
1,498 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 3,845 ft (High - Reduced Performance)
ISA Deviation: +19.6°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF VTCT 150500Z 1506/1612 18005KT 9999 SCT040 TEMPO 1508/1514 25015G25KT 4000 TSRA FEW020CB BKN030 TEMPO 1516/1520 -TSRA FEW020CB BKN030 TEMPO 1522/1602 -TSRA FEW020CB BKN030
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
09:27Z BASE
+0h
VFR 180° 5 kt
Visibility: 10+ km
16:00Z TEMPO
+7h
MVFR
Ceiling: 3,000 ft
Light Thunderstorm Rain

24-Hour Weather Evolution

Loading weather data...
Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
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Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
TCT
03
21 ✈️

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 03/21
Active: 21
9,843 ft 148 ft ASP 29°
5.4 kt 4.5 kt
40° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - VTCT

6,271 observations | Sep 2025 - Jun 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
75.6%
MVFR
19.6%
IFR
4.1%
LIFR
0.7%

Mae Fah Luang - Chiang Rai International Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 75.6% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 4.8% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 4.3 knots. Calm conditions occur 17.5% of the time. Temperatures typically range between 8°C and 38°C with an average of 24.1°C. The best months for VFR flying are June, October, May.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 4.3 kt
Maximum Recorded: 17 kt
Calm Winds: 17.5%
Direction Distribution:
E
10.7%
N
10.7%
S
12.8%
W
12.9%
NE
11.4%
NW
7.3%
SE
8.1%
SW
8.6%

Temperature Range

Average: 24.1°C
Range: 8°C to 38°C
8°C 38°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 0.8%

Best Months for VFR

June October May

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 03/21
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.4 kt

Statistics computed from 6,271 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jun 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Mae Fah Luang - Chiang Rai International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: VTCT
IATA Code: CEI
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 1,280 ft MSL

Location

City: Chiang Rai
Country: TH
Latitude: 19.952299°
Longitude: 99.882896°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-7

Runway Information

Runway 03/21
Length: 9,843 ft
Width: 148 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Mae Fah Luang - Chiang Rai International Airport

Overview

Mae Fah Luang - Chiang Rai International Airport serves the northernmost province of Thailand, providing international and domestic connectivity for the Chiang Rai region. Located at 1,280 feet MSL, the airport supports medium-sized aircraft operations with its single 9,843-foot asphalt runway positioned at 03/21.

Flying Conditions

Weather conditions at VTCT are predominantly favorable for visual flight, with 81.4% of observations reporting VFR conditions. The prevailing winds from the northeast at 45 degrees average 4.2 knots, with occasional peaks up to 15 knots. Temperature variations range from 8°C to 33°C, with an average of 22.6°C, presenting generally stable meteorological environments for aircraft operations.

Notable Features

The airport's elevation and geographic positioning in northern Thailand introduce potential terrain considerations for approaching and departing aircraft. The surrounding mountainous landscape of Chiang Rai province may influence local wind patterns and create localized turbulence, particularly during seasonal transitions. Runway 03/21 demonstrates consistent wind alignment, with 100% favorable wind conditions and minimal average crosswind of 2.1 knots.

Approach Considerations

October, November, and January represent the most consistent VFR months, offering optimal flying conditions with high visibility averaging 10 statute miles. Pilots should note minimal instances of reduced visibility, with fog occurring in only 1.6% of observations and no recorded visibility below 3 statute miles. The runway's orientation and wind characteristics suggest predictable approach and departure scenarios with minimal wind-related complexities.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.