Founded in 2009, Chiangrai United joined the new Thai football setup and started at the 3rd level setup, the Regional League Northern Division.

Chiangrai duly came out on top come the end of the regular league season, thus claiming their first ever championship and also crowned as the first ever winners of the Regional League Northern Division.

On winning the championship, Chiangrai entered the 2009 Regional League Championships. An end of season mini-league for all 5 Regional League Division 2championship winning teams and finished as runners-up and eventually promoted to Thai Division 1 League. In the next season the club finished as 3rd in Thai Division 1 Leagueand promoted to Thai Premier League which will be the first time in the club history to participate in the top tier of Thai football.