Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is the capital and largest city of the northern-most province in Thailand though
it is a relatively small town with a population of about seventy thousand. It is the starting
point to visit the Golden Triangle, the heart of the former opium trade in Asia. For some this
popular tourist destination has become more of a tourist trap in recent years so consider vis-
iting less-well known spots near the triangle.
The point of the Golden Triangle is where the Ruak River and the Mekong River connect
which is also the meeting point of Thailand with Laos and Myanmar. The name "Golden
Triangle" comes from the convergence of these three countries as it was named in a US De-
partment of State memo. Thailand was once the second largest producer of opium but in the
last fifteen years production has decreased 80%.
These days you can visit the Hall of Opium in the valley of the Golden Triangle to view
the exhibits about the history of opium, the international opiate trade, and even view a small
opium plantation inside. Another option is the privately owned House of Opium, which is a
moresomberplacetolearnabouttheproductionprocessofopium.Whileyou'reintownyou
can take a long-tailed speedboat up the river and visit the island Don Sao which although it
belongs to Laos you don't need a visa to visit.
Within Chiang Rai you will have your pick of options for eating, sleeping and partying for
all budget levels. The bazaar at night is worth a wander and here you can find a range of din-
ner options including deep fried fritters, international cuisine and of course local Thai food.
For a drink head over to the Jet Yod Road where there are plenty of bars open every day of
the week.
For the tea lovers out there make a stop at Mae Salong, today known as Santikhiri. Many
Chinese soldiers settled here after striking a deal with the Thai government in the 1970s
to help them tackle the opium trade. Instead they turned to tea production and today Mae
Salong's main product is oolong tea. Another small border town worth checking out is Mae
Sai, the northernmost city in Thailand. From here you can make day trips to Tachileik in
Myanmar without a visa.
