Hall of Opium
The Golden Triangle (an area that includes parts of the three countries Thailand, Laos and Myanmar) takes its name from the region’s source of income, opium. In fact, a few people have become really rich from it. The Opium Museum, which is absolutely worth seeing, presents the history and effects of opium over the centuries, not only in Thailand. Through scenic means, facts, events and experiences are made tangible. For me even the entrance tunnel, in which an opium rush is visualized, is an experience. Once again I find the entanglement of politics with the world of drugs particularly interesting, here using the example of the British colonial power. Those who are really interested in this topic need at least two hours to record all and everything.
Entrance
200 Baht, Attention: closed on Mondays.
Directions
Get there either with a booked tour, which includes the Golden Triangle, with your own vehicle or from Mae Sai with the yellow-blue Songthaews from the Piyaporn Place Hotel. Unfortunately these only drive back until noon, so you should leave early to have enough time.
Golden Triangle
The point where the three countries Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet is where the Ruak River flows into the Mekong. This place is called the Golden Triangle, which actually includes the whole region. There is a large golden Buddha and a kind of richly decorated archway. The many stalls, small shops and even a 7/11 are of course not to be missed here, where so many tourists are brought to look over the river and maybe take a boat trip to a Laotian island. This island is a so-called free trade zone, but the prices are higher than in Mae Sai. In my opinion simply a tourist rip-off.
From Mae Sai you can make a nice trip to Chiang Saen by rented moped or car or by bicycle. On the way there you can take along the Golden Triangle.
Chiang Saen
The small town on the Mekong with the remains of old temples and the city wall invites you to watch the hustle and bustle on the river while having lunch on one of the terraces. I also find the harbor quite interesting, where mainly Chinese ships are loaded on the way to Kunming, which is about 200 km away.
BACK to the overview of sightseeing trips around Chiang Rai and Mae Sai