After a day or two off line due to weak internet connections and power outages following monsoon-type torrential downpours we travelled along some extremely twisty and narrow mountain roads in the Doi Mae Salong region of the northern most areas of Thailand. The scenery was magnificent and the rolling, very steep farms impeccably manicured by hand by these hard working people. The farms, currently of tea, corn and rice were in days past, fields of opium poppies. Now truly outlawed by all three countries, the farmers have been helped by the governments to make the transitions to the different crops and a healthier way of life.
The neat part about the area was the fact that we could actually step foot, and I did, into the three bordering countries. We were in Thailand but went to the Burma (now Myanmar, but locals still call it Burma) border and walked over a small bridge to shop at a little market. The border was strictly controlled and a day pass was necessary. We gave up our passports, got an entry visa (for 500 baht, approx $ 15), walked through a no-mans-land, and out the other side. Locals cross all the time along with tourists like me, who want to have the fun and experience of the crossing. Coming back reminded us of the perils of smuggling drugs....
After the stop in Burma we travelled onward through the mountains and then down towards the flatter, river region near the actual triangle. The Mekong river (which starts in Tibet) and the Khong River meet and this is where the three countries share the borders. We stopped at a lookout where we could see a fabulous view of the whole triangle and come to understand the ease with which people could pass between the countries.
After lunch, and a visit to a really good, modern museum (built under the guidance of the King Mother)of the opium history we took another longboat ride and stepped foot into Laos. This little region is famous for rice whiskey and yes, it was the kind with a snake in the bottle! Looked as icky as the ones we had seen in Cambodia but I guess someone likes the stuff! The little economic development center along the river was set up strictly for tourists (another huge market with bags and local handicraft souvenirs) and the ever-popular postcard, stamp and post box counter! So yes, now, I had set foot in Laos and completed the famous Golden Triangle.
We carried on down the country side to Chiang Rai for the night. Chiang Rai was the original capital of this northern region and will be the source for another posting another day. All for now!
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