Chiang Mai#9 Golden Triangle & Donsao, Laos

We actually thought that we could go to the poppy plantation area in Golden Triangle**** (since we saw Chiang Mai postcards showing the poppy flowers) but the places is strictly not for tourists, probably because the plants are too valuable.

So here we are at the Golden Triangle --> the meeting point of the three countries, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. There is also another island called "no-man island" in the middle of this triangle (because no one live there) where you can only see it during dry season, we are lucky enough…  however, it's just a land with some grass. This island was once the trading place of opium for "businessmen" from the 3 countries and they use gold as trading currency.

The photo below shows the boat trail we're going to take:

Khong River means Mekong River which is the 10th longest river in the world and 7th longest in Asia whereby it's connected from China to this golden triangle and further down to Vietnam & Cambodia.

The sun is so hot in this season (aug) although its beginning of the raining season. Locals say the weather here can reach 10°c in winter and you'll get to see cherry blossoms in Chiang Mai too. One thing for sure, we are sweating like showering now =P  

We pass by the casino of Myanmar, Thailand has no casino since gambling is illegal, so Thais can just cross the border to Myanmar or Laos for gambling.

Casino Kings Roman, Laos

We were allowed to enter Donsao, Laos*** without visa for an hour, costs us 300baht per pax to enter. Well, considered we have already been to LAOS but of course we were not allowed to go further than this area.

The whisky and scorpion wine is popular in Laos, it looks weird but local says it is revitalizing, especially for man.

Actually it is just a small market place, so we just stroll around, took some photos, drink coconut (refreshing, at the right time!) and breath in some Laos air =)

Little ducky has his lunch!

Laos's immigration department? No, because he don't handle passport but only collecting money from the tour guide.

When we are leaving, we saw some poor kids begging for $$ from a woman. Actually it is advisable not to give money to the poor kids since it will not help them, but only encouraging them to be beggars.


Well that's the end of the boat ride in Golden Triangle.. Don't have too high expectations on this though since it was not like experiencing the opium plantation or trading places. And after some search through net, there are two Opium museum in Donsao where you could learn about but we were not brought there. 

After visiting Myanmar and Laos by "window watching", we had our buffet lunch (included in the tour package) at a restaurant back at Mae Sai area.

The Myanmar rice is so yellowish, tastes great when accompanied with some spicy sauce. P&A shall one day go to Myanmar to savor this Myanmar rice again. . .

Queen of Nagas seized by American Army at Mekhong River, Laos Military Base on June 27, 1973 with length of 7.80 meters.