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THE
HALL OF OPIUM/GOLDEN TRIANGLE PARK |
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| GOLDEN
TRIANGLE PARK
All
images © Mae Fah Luang
Foundation
In
1988, Her Royal Highness Princess
Srinagarindra, The Princess
Mother, late mother of His Majesty
King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand,
initiated a development project
in Chiang Rai, the northernmost
province of Thailand, with the
aim of rehabilitating the forests
and improving the lives of the
people living in the heart of
the Golden Triangle in Thailand,
ending their dependence on opium
cultivation and use.
HRH
The Princess recognised that
for the hill-tribe villagers,
opium was an economic crop.
Opium cultivation was not an
intrinsic element of hill-tribe
culture. This made it easier
to address the problem.
By
helping villagers to become
self-sufficient through the
introduction of crop substitution
programmes, and the creation
of alternative employment such
as the establishment of a cottage
industry in handicrafts, hill-tribe
villagers generate sufficient
income to supplement earnings
from agricultural and horticultural
production. They are no longer
dependent on opium cultivation
for their livelihood.
HRH
The Princess Mother also realised
that education is an equally
vital component in efforts to
eradicate opium cultivation
and use. Her Royal Highness
believed that by providing knowledge
about the history of opium in
The Golden Triangle and in other
parts of the world, and by promoting
better awareness and understanding
of the uses and effects of opium,
morphine, and heroin, and the
dangers and consequences of
its use, fewer people would
be tempted into drug use. Shrinking
demand would eventually reduce
supply.
In
order to gain commitment from
all levels of society to join
in the fight against illegal
drugs, HRH The Princess Mother
thus initiated a project designed
to help provide knowledge to
the people of the world about
the history of opium in The
Golden Triangle and in other
parts of the world, and to raise
public awareness that narcotics
and other illegal drugs are
a problem not just for the countries
and people of the Golden Triangle,
but for societies worldwide.
The
social, economic and physical
costs of drug abuse, and the
crime and corruption that surrounds
it and efforts to control it,
impact all levels of society,
from individuals and their families,
neighbourhoods and countries.
The
result of this initiative is
the Hall of Opium, Golden Triangle
Park.
THE
"GOLDEN TRIANGLE"
Click
to expand The
term, "Golden Triangle"
generally refers
to an area where
the borders of Laos,
Myanmar, and Thailand
converge and the
point where the
Sop Ruak tributary
flows into the mighty
Mekong River. Considered
one of the world's
remaining wild places,
the area remains
largely inaccessible.
The name conjures
up alluring images
of mist-shrouded
mountains with forested
slopes overlooking
the mighty Mekong
River, home of hill-tribe
villages. Its mystical
reputation attracts
hundreds and thousands
of tourists, year
after year, particularly
adventure seekers.
The
Golden Triangle,
however, has a darker
side. It is one
of the areas of
the world where
opium is grown,
processed into heroin,
and smuggled out,
and is the source
of half the world's
illegal heroin.
As
impoverished hill
farmers eek out
a living from a
rugged terrain through
opium cultivation,
mystery and danger
surrounds drug production
and trafficking,
characterised by
the outbreak of
civil wars, clashes
between the police
and armed forces
in a fight against
smugglers, surprise
raids on clandestine
heroin factories,
and donkey caravans
along old jungle
trade paths. The
list reads like
the stuff of mystery
novels and action
thrillers. Tragically,
this is the stark
reality of the drug
trade. |
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THE
HALL OF OPIUM
The
Hall of Opium/Golden Triangle Park has been constructed on over 40 acres of land at
a site near The Golden Triangle situated
10 kilometres northwest of Chiang Saen in
Chiang Rai Province. The site incorporates
an exhibition area and information centre
of the Hall of Opium within the landscape
of the Golden Triangle Park.
The Hall of Opium combines a museum on the
history of opium and the impact of illegal
drugs, with an information centre for research
and extension education on opium, opiates
and other narcotics.
THE
EXHIBITION
While
the lives and cultures of the hill tribes
and the opium production and trade of The
Golden Triangle are inter-related, the approach
adopted for the exhibition has been to present
these inter-related aspects of the opium
story as two distinct and separate elements.
This
important distinction is made to highlight
the fact that opium is essentially an economic
crop. It is not an intrinsic element of
the indigenous culture. This therefore makes
it easier to address and resolve.
A
walk through the 5,600 sq-metre world-class
exhibition area within the Hall of Opium highlights
different aspects on the subject of "Opium".
Every step of the way, the information presented
through the dramatic use of state-of-the-art
multimedia innovation is vivid and poignant.
The use of engaging audio-visual presentations
and interactive displays, coupled with dynamic
spatial design, work together to enlighten
and provoke thought.
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Entrance Tunnel
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Lobby and Introduction Hall
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Auditorium
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The First 5,000 Years
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Dark and Bright Hallway
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From West to East
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The Opium Wars
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Opium in Siam
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19th Century Medicine
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Prohibition/Crime/Wars
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Where's the Stash?
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Efforts to Control Drugs
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Case Studies
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Gallery of Excuses/Gallery of Victims
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Hall of Reflection
ENTRANCE
TUNNEL
As
you venture through a 130-metre Entrance
Tunnel that passes through a hill, lighting,
sound, and special effects such as the occasional
impressionistic images conveyed in the form
of bas-relief and projections that appear
on the walls, ceiling and floor of the tunnel,
draw you deeper into the dark realm of the
world of opium.
The
'journey' begins with the mystery associated
with The Golden Triangle, and progresses
through the range of contradictory moods
and feelings generally associated with opium,
morphine and heroin.
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DANGER
- of addiction, of crime associated with
drug-smuggling or drug-dealing
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FEAR
- of addiction, of being caught
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SLEEP AND DREAMS
- associated with opium use
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EASE OF PAIN
- the most important medical effect of
opium, morphine, heroin
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SUPPRESSED SUFFERING
- the relief and calming effect of the
medical use of opium and opiates, and
the "mental escape" opium and opiates
experienced by addicts
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LOBBY
AND INTRODUCTION HALL
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As
you exit the tunnel and step past a symbolic
'golden triangle', you enter a bright and
airy Lobby. Cast your eyes beyond a small
valley, a scenic view of a small poppy field
similar to those planted by some of the hill-tribes
in the region lies before you. Introductory
displays in the lobby feature the opium
poppy and its products, and drug production
in the Golden Triangle. A variety of poppies
are presented in glass-enclosed areas, intended
as a greenhouse for the cultivation of opium
poppies throughout the year, when appropriate.
The
first display consists of dried or imitation
opium poppies in various stages of growth
and harvesting, together with botanical
drawings of the Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum)
and pictures and descriptions of the main
products derived from the plant.
Another
display presents some of the 100+ other
Papaver species as well as other plant genera
that are commonly referred to as poppies. |
| All images
© Mae Fah Luang Foundation |
| AUDITORIUM
A brief multimedia presentation provides
an introduction to the exhibition and the
key facilities, and presents an overview
of illegal opium production and use in the
Golden Triangle and around the world.
THE
FIRST 5,000 YEARS
Trace the history of the first 5,000 years
of opium starting out with the origins of
the opium poppy along the Mediterranean
and the first archaeological evidence in
Switzerland, and the spread of the use of
opium to various parts of the world.
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The first references of opium in Sumerian
medicinal text
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The medical and ritual use in Ancient
Greece, Rome and Egypt
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The use of opium in Europe and the Americas
from the Middle Ages until the 18th century
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The spread of the use of opium to South
and East Asia by 1,000 AD
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DARK
AND BRIGHT HALLWAY
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Pass
through a short "dark and bright hallway"
in which the contrasting characteristics of
opium are presented. On
the one hand, the plant and products derived
from the plant offer great benefits to humans,
while on the other, it can also cause devastating
suffering, thereby highlighting the fact
the real problem lies in the abuse of the
plant. |
| FROM
WEST TO EAST
A
major change in opium use and abuse occurs
when it becomes a major commercial commodity
along with the expansion of Western imperialist
trade. The trade in opium shifted from a minor
trade item used as a medicine to a major commodity
- an addictive substance sold mainly by western
traders with an assured market among predominantly
Asian addicts, resulting in drastic consequences.
It
is believed that the British habit of tea
consumption was a key factor leading to
this change. It can be argued that the widespread
British addiction to tea led to a large-scale
Chinese addiction to opium.
Trade
between China and the West was highly unbalanced.
While the West bought silk, porcelain and
tea from China, there was little Chinese
demand for British manufactured goods or
products from western countries. Goods exported
from China had to be paid for in silver
in the form of Spanish silver coins.
By
the late 1700's, the British discovered
that one product they could sell to the
Chinese to redress the imbalance in trade
was opium produced in the new British colony
of India.
Embark
a voyage from Britain in the West to China
in the East. The voyage starts in a London
dock where the East India Company dominates
the trade in tea, spices, silk, and porcelain
from the East, and the export of manufactured
goods, mostly cloth and metalware to India.
The
journey begins in the interior of a ship
of the late 1700's. It was part war-ship
to fend off attacks from other western nations
and fight native populations who might object
to "free trade".
Halfway
through the journey, the interior changes
into a 19th century clipper ship. Clipper
ships were the fastest sailing ships ever
built, used for high value trade that needed
to be transported in the shortest time possible
to prevent spoilage, or avoid embargoes,
or capture.
While
the opium that was sold to China and the
other countries of Southeast and East Asia
came from India, the government did not
export the opium officially, and ships flying
the British flag were prohibited from shipping
opium. Ships registered elsewhere, but owned
and operated by British companies, dominated
the opium trade.
The
journey ends in Canton harbour - the only
Chinese trading port open to foreigners
until 1842. Opium was banned by the Chinese
government so it was unloaded into small
boats and smuggled into Canton and along
the border.
By
the early 17th century, opium-smoking in
China had become prevalent. Smokers began
to mix tobacco imported from the Americas
with opium. When an Imperial Edict banned
tobacco smoking in 1729, people began to
smoke pure opium. The addictive habit spread
quickly, to all levels of society throughout
the country.
THE
OPIUM WARS
The
opium trade led to confrontation and eventually
wars between China and Britain, and later
other western powers. Key figures involved
in the conflict are depicted, some as life-size
figures. Others in pictures and photographs.
Quotations of the individuals depicted offer
insight into their opinions and their stand
on the conflict.
The
political, economic and social impact of
the Opium Wars led to several significant
developments in history.
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The wars are believed to have precipitated
the long decline of the Manchu dynasty,
culminating in the foundation of the republic
in 1911, and the People's Republic of
China in 1949.
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It led to the forced opening of several
"treaty ports" and the economic control
of China by the Western powers, leading
to the establishment of Hong Kong and
156 years of British rule over the Chinese
territory.
- The
"open" trade led to a drastic expansion
of opium smoking.
OPIUM
IN SIAM
A
section of the exhibition presents the history
of legal opium in Siam. Siam is selected
as a representative of the extensive legal
opium production, trade, and use in the
19th and early 20th century Asia. The roles
of the Western traders, government tax collectors,
and Chinese and local addicts are shown.
Displays depict a mock-up of a late 19th
century opium den in a Sino-Thai urban area,
opium processing, and the development of
crafts used in opium-smoking such as pipes,
opium weights, pillows, and other items
associated with opium consumption.
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| All images © Mae
Fah Luang Foundation |
| 19th
CENTURY MEDICINE
Scientific
advances in 19th century Europe led to the
isolation of morphine, the development of
heroin, and the invention of the hypodermic
syringe to facilitate the application of
these drugs.
Heroin
became widely-used as a supposed non-addictive
cough suppressant (in place of codeine)
and a pain reliever (in place of morphine),
until it was discovered to be equally if
not more addictive than the other opiates.
Morphine, cocaine, and a hypodermic syringe
to inject the drugs, were often included
in home and emergency medical kits of the
late 1800s.
Another
form of addiction in the Western world took
the form of addiction to these pain killers
and the many other pharmaceutical and patent
medicines that included opium and other
narcotics.
PROHIBITION/CRIME/WARS
In this triangle-shaped room, the key aspects
that shaped the 20th century approach to
opium and other narcotics are presented
using high-tech interactive displays. The
various aspects featured include:
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The movement to prohibit opium, culminating
in international treaties and national
laws controlling opiate use and prohibiting
illegal production, trafficking, sale
and use
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The relationship between opium/drug and
crime; control by crime syndicates, political
corruption, and worldwide efforts to control
trafficking from the fields where the
opium is grown to the streets where it
is sold to addicts
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The connection between war and opium production,
in particular the growth of opium production
in the Golden Triangle after World War
II.
WHERE'S
THE STASH?
The "Hide Out Hallway" proves the point
that ultimately even the most ingenious
hiding places will be found. Interactive
displays in the "Hide Out Hallway" show
the many ways by which opium traffickers
and users attempt to smuggle or hide their
drugs.
EFFECTS
OF DRUGS
In a dark and foreboding room, feel the
detrimental effects of addiction and illegal
drug-trafficking. The physical and psychological,
as well as financial and social effects,
and their broader impact on society is depicted.
EFFORTS
TO CONTROL DRUGS
Learn about efforts being undertaken to
stop the use of drugs, trafficking, and
drug addiction. These include -
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Drug eradication schemes
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Strict police action against trade and
use
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Decriminalisation
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Efforts to help people overcome their
addictions
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Attempts at legalisation
CASE
STUDIES
In "Case Studies", stories of the lives
of several families affected by drug addiction
are presented.
A
mix of families from different ethnic and
national backgrounds are presented to show
that drug addiction knows no boundaries.
Cabinets
with pull-out drawers in the room feature
both sides of the story.
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The "Gallery of Ex-Addicts"
depicts both well-known as well as regular
individuals who have successfully overcome
the pain and bleakness of drug addiction.
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The "Gallery of Addicts"
shows that many remain caught in the snare
of addiction, with death being the inevitable
outcome.
GALLERY
OF EXCUSES/GALLERY OF VICTIMS
A long and narrowing exhibit represents
the descent from the initial euphoria of
drug use to the suffering and pain felt
by many long-term addicts and their loved
ones.
Three
different perspectives are presented.
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The first features images and voices of
addicts of illegal drugs of all types
describe why and how they first became
addicted and reasons why they cannot or
do not want to overcome their addiction.
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The second tells the tales of sorrow from
the innocent victims of addictions. See
the images and hear the voices of people
who have been hurt by drug abuse by a
loved one.
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The last depicts the desperate and bleak
situation of those who remain caught in
or who have died from drug abuse. Images
are accompanied by accounts of how they
are forced to support their habits through
crime, prostitution and other means.
HALL
OF REFLECTION
The "Hall of Reflection" is a quiet room
where visitors can reflect on what they
have seen. Quotations from famous individuals
such as religious leaders, philosophers,
and world leaders on the value of leading
a life of moderation (free from drugs or
other forms of abuse) are depicted. Paintings
and sculpture on display create a sense
of calm, aiding reflection.
WHAT
CAN I DO
This final section provides information
and brochures on various ways in which individuals
throughout the world endeavour to solve
the problem of illegal drugs, so one can
decide how to contribute to the effort.
Hall of Opium opening hours: every day except Monday 8.30-16.00
Guided Tours in English and Thai are conducted at 30-minute intervals with the first English language tour commencing at 8.45 and the Thai language at 8.30.
CONTACT
INFORMATION:
Contact information:
DOI TUNG DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
TOURIST CENTRE
Tel: +66 (0) 2252 7114 Ext 217 or 234
Fax: +66 (0) 2254 1665
E-mail: tourism@doitung.org
HALL OF OPIUM
Moo 1 Ban Sop Ruak, Tambon Wiang, Amphoe Chiang Saen,
Chiang Rai 57150
Tel: +66 (0) 5378 4444-6
Fax: +66 (0) 5365 2133
E-mail: hallofopium@doitung.org
GREATER MEKONG LODGE
Tel: +66 (0) 5378 4450-2
Fax: +66 (0) 5378 4453
E-mail: gml@doitung.org
All images © Mae
Fah Luang Foundation |
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