Thailand Travel Tips

Chiangrai and the Golden Triangle in Thailand

Any visitor to Chiang Rai can not fail to recognize the obvious wealth and opulence abound in this province north. Its near the Golden Triangle has influenced the development of land and only here we can see the foreclosed properties, farms, hedges and smooth four-lane highways do not need repairs. There is more to the province which, of course, with some of the most difficult roads Thailand also return here. However, the impression general is one of almost a different country. This diversity is perhaps the original reason for the replacement of travelers visiting the northern gold.

Wealth province of Chiang Rai can be instantly compared to the time of the trip to Myanmar border in Mae Sai. Poverty in the Myanmar side is too obvious and much more obvious than others crossing Myanmar. The visit does not require a visa or passport border. All you need are two photocopies of your passport and fees, usually five dollars.

Mae Sai border excursions can be made with the actual project in Doi Toong Mountain and east to the museum of opium to the same Golden Triangle. Chiang Saen is a small distance beyond.
To the west of Mae Salong and Maekok Thaton River Lodge and beyond Fang and Mae Hong Son, along some of the least used (you know why) the roads in Thailand. There is some spectacular scenery along the route.

Doi Toong is now a fully developed project Real. Basically, a mountain overlooking the whole of Burma, which today offers visitors not only great views, but coffee and Thai tea premises, berries and vegetables warm. All models were introduced hilltribe in agriculture and now contribute significantly to the economy of many nations as a substitute opium crop reduction, which virtually eliminated the Thai soil now. Wat Doi Toong himself, perched like a nest of high-end is an important pilgrimage center for Thai and is a daily activity temple here.

If time allows, and you have a good map, route alternatives through Doi Doi Pa Mi Toong should be taken to Mae Sai, instead of the main road to Mae Chan. The road from the border and is one of the most spectacular roads in the north.

The triangle Gold is now quite popular with tourists and there is little hope of avoiding crowds at the central point – a board that represents the meeting point of three countries, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. However, pleasant walks along the Mekong river powerful enough can be adopted and Riverside restaurant meals (Beware of sites peaceful between the Triangle and Chiang Saen.) The Hotel Imperial Golden Triangle offers perhaps the best point of view, especially at lunch, with many movements in the river early. long-tail boats up the country in an instant, adding to the sense of intrigue that continues to this infamous meeting place.

As well researched and informative Opium Museum, Chiang Saen, former capital of Lanna River, you should visit. Very pleasant afternoon can be spent in the adjacent river after a trip to the market.

Downstream from Chiang Saen is the point of reaching the border of Chiang Khong. Therefore, the entry into Laos can do day trips on the river to Luang Prabang flights daily. A longer (slow boat) trip can be done with an overnight stop en route at the village of Pak Beng. Traveling to Chiang Khong gives a real feeling of being in the backwaters of the country and if that is what you seek then make the trip and use it as a gateway to Laos. Housing, in particular, air conditioning, are rare in Chiang Khong and boats leave early, book early or leave Chiangrai at 5:30 am.
Traveling west of Tachilek (now a starting point for some circuits Myanmar's internal) along the Thai side and past Doi Toong, there are back roads to Mae Salong. This region is like the Scottish highlands, but without the time and a little warmer. There are some signs to have a good map of Mae Sai, where you can find in a frontier "sensitive area."

If day, a journey from one side to the prohibition Thoet Thailand, the former Ban Hin Taek, you can do. It's old house outpost of Khun Sa, leader of the Shan State Army. Since his retirement, integration into Thai society and local population Mae Salong valley grew. However, he knows that the Thai and Jiin Haw (galloping Chinese) Mae Salong occupants emigrated from China during the 1949 revolution and were part of the flight of Kuomintang Regiment 93. This fact alone Mae Salong very different from any another city with its mixture of Thai Akha, Lisu and Meo tribes and Tai Yai (Shan) people. With local corn whiskey for sale as a substitute for opium poppy cultivation deleted Others products already include Chinese herbal remedy, Khanom Jiin curry and Chinese tea. It is actually a tea factory in the city. Although the right track now paved Basang extends along the main road Thaton-Mae Cahn, other roads are a little more than dirt roads misclassified. Such is the price of anonymity.

For the traveler truth of replacing a four-day trek in Chiang Rai is possible from the paths of the hill tribe village on the road. Attention here! walking 20 years ago from a base of Chiangrai.

In Thaton, Maekok river is the river of people Maekok an update of the former River Lodge. It is the pride and joy of Shane Beary, a 20-year resident of the area. The village consists of Thai style cottages on the river with a pool and restaurant but more importantly it has a field of study for both Thai and foreign students and a center of Thai cuisine. Knowing Shane, his family and staff the people a starting point for excursions in the surrounding area. mountain biking and hiking can be easily done from this focal point and river trips on the Maekok, a tributary of the Mekong.

Thaton Maekok is a public boat crossing the river for the journey of 92 km from Chiang Rai. Travel is highly recommended and cost only 150 baht.

From the border with the province of Chiang Rai many hot springs and caves are the best known and Fang Ching Dao. The predominant limestone rock of the region gives rise to numerous underground caverns decorated with all the religious icons everywhere.

Although there is no zone in Chiang Rai, the trip to along the border with Rariang Pai Mae Hong Son Mae worth considering. The road is narrow and quaint but has some of the most interesting places in Thailand, including blind cave fish and Mae Hong Son town Padaung "long neck" Pai River. The latter has become a little touristy, but still a long neck Karen held a certain fascination, no matter the circumstances.

Less known and less obvious to the naked eye Lawa people of this area. In an area of approximately 500 square kilometers in the waters Sariang, Mae Hong Son Mae and still live a traditional life, but even then most have adopted Buddhism and Thai style. Certainly lived in Thailand for about 800 years and believe they migrated from Cambodia, but some archaeologists believe that their origins lie in Micronesia, some 2,000 years ago.

Women are leading with his hair in a turban and is usually snuff the smoke of a wooden pipe. Most Lawa speak Thai, but the Lawa language, linked to Burma's Wa tribe, still spoken in many villages.
In total, especially northern Thailand's Chiang Rai province in many aspects of the rest of the country. Traditionally called "Lan-na," which has most of its history been an independent kingdom and believes that quality yet.

About the Author

Tom Aikins is a Bangkok-based journalist who runs an Online Marketing Excellence business at http://www.seosoutheastasia.com and does IT consulting at http://www.seosoutheastasia.com

Ray Mears / Thailand Part 3/6

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