AN OPIUM MUSEUM AT THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE

Opium was so significant here, there was even a museum for it. 

Historically speaking, poppies were grown here for their seeds which then would produce heroin. People were making money but not in a good way. In the early days, people had already got addicted to drugs and some were involved in illegal activities and all sorts of related crime. As a consequence, Thailand government had taken drastic action such as prohibiting people from planting poppies anymore.

Read more about the interesting history of opium in Thailand and the Golden Triangle HERE.

[MY CHIANG RAI TRIP MAIN PAGE]

THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE - WHERE THE BORDERS OF THREE COUNTRIES MEET

Golden Triangle in point forms:

(1) Tourists come here to see how the borders of three countries, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos, meet.

(2) This place is well-known for its opium production. From opium, a type of drug called heroine is produced.

(3) Tourists could actually go for a short trip to the neighboring countries by crossing the rivers in boats, in just a few hours. I did not. :(

One of these days, I am going to set my foot on the soil of Myanmar and Laos. It had been so near, yet so far away.

[MY CHIANG RAI TRIP MAIN PAGE]

MAE SAI - THE BORDER TOWN BEFORE MYANMAR

dried broad beans

After lunch, the driver asked us whether we wanted to see the market and we decided to have a look. We did not even know the significant of this small town and why it was suddenly very busy there until we discovered on our own towards the end of the walk.

strawberries

There were people selling all sorts of things here, either mobile hawkers or those in permanent stalls. There was a walking mall in between shops, for both tourists and locals.

preserved fruits

chestnuts

green apples?

avocado

I think this is called "som tam"

a Muslim hawker selling "bread"

flowers on the street

fresh vegetables

the river that separates Thailand and Myanmar

people getting into Myanmar

immigration checkpoint

At one point only we realized that Myanmar was actually located at the other side of the river and that was the reason making the place very busy. We were very unlucky that the driver of our tour was really just a driver - he did not provide us with any explanation at all. Luckily we were bright enough to figure things out on our own. We just spent about 30 minutes here due to the parking issue. We were dropped there, and the driver picked us up later at the same spot.

One day, I will set foot on the soil of Myanmar. One day...

[MY CHIANG RAI TRIP MAIN PAGE]

EATING LUNCH CHIANG RAI STYLE

Lunch was included in the tour package so like it or not, you still have to pay for it. There was also a vegetarian section but I decided not to try. Luckily, there was a dessert section so I opted for sticky rice with mango and coconut milk, and sweet coconut milk porridge. I could eat just that which last for the long trip afterwards, before I got to eat real food.

[MY CHIANG RAI TRIP MAIN PAGE]