A trip to Chiang Rai province would not be complete
without seeing the notorious Golden Triangle first hand! This famed
border location where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet on the Mekong
River was once supposed to be the center of all the poppy cultivation
in Thailand.
Travel approximately 9 kilometers north of old town Chiang Saen, along
the road parallel to the Mekong River to the area where the borders
of Thailand, Myammar and Laos converge. This area where the Mekong
River meets the Ruak River is locally referred to as "Sop Ruak".
Within this area are remains of many ancient places and structures
attesting to the fact that the area had been settled by people in
the past. It is also the area where various legends concerning the
Lanna ancestors originate.
Boats can be hired in order to view the upstream scenery of the Golden
Triangle and to travel downstream to Chiang Khong. The trip to the
Golden Triangle and Chiang Khong would take approximately 40 minutes
and 1 hour respectively, depending on river currents and water levels.
