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EXPLORING
THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE:
New Perspectives of Mystical Chiang Saen |
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THE
GOLDEN TRIANGLE
Please
click to expand |
The
term, "Golden Triangle" generally
refers to a vast area that extends across
three countries- Thailand, Myanmar and Lao
PDR. It also refers to the point where the
borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet.
The Mekong River enters Thailand at Chiang
Saen. At this point, the Ruak River bordering
Thailand and Myanmar meets the Mekong River
as it flows in from Laos.
Considered one of the world's remaining wild
places, the area remains largely inaccessible
and undiscovered. The name conjures up images
of mist-shrouded mountains and forested slopes
– home of the hill-tribe villages overlooking
the mighty Mekong River. Its mystical reputation
is very much alive today. |
CHIANG
SAEN
The Mekong
River as it flows past the town of Chiang
Saen. View upstream to Myanmar |
The
ancient Lanna capital of Chiang Saen is at
the crossroads where people of various ethnic
origins such as the Akha, Hmong and Lisu hill-tribe
people, Burmese, Laotians and Thais converge.
It remains a quiet rural town and an important
trading post on the bank of the Mekong River.
According to historical accounts by a 19th
century American missionary, the city was
described as being "… admirably
situated for the purpose of trade, at the
intersection of routes leading from China,
Burma, Karenni, the Shan States, Siam, Tonquin
and Annam. It forms a point of dispersion
for caravans along the diverging trade routes."
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ELEPHANT CAMP
At the Anantara Resort and Spa Golden Triangle
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Designed
as a traditional northern Thai mahouts village,
the elephant camp, operated by the Anantara
Resort and Spa Golden Triangle in conjunction
with the National Elephant Institute and Thai
Elephant Conservation Centre, offers guests
the chance to observe elephants in their natural
habitat.
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LEARN
TO ‘DRIVE’ AN ELEPHANT?
During this 3-day basic training course,
you’ll learn more about the Thai
elephant and gain basic knowledge and
skills needed to be a mahout such as
how to ‘drive’ an elephant
using the mahout’s elephant commands,
tips on the basic care for your elephant
and techniques for bathing an elephant.
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NATURE-TREKKING
ON ELEPHANT BACK
Trek
through the nearby forest on elephant
back. Alternatively, set off on your
elephant, accompanied by her mahout,
for a morning walk through the forest.
Then proceed to a nearby chedi (stupa)
and Buddhist shrine that offers a view
across the Mekong to Myanmar and Laos.
You’ll be back just in time for
breakfast.
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BATHE
AN ELEPHANT
Even in the temperate
highlands of the mountainous north,
bathing in rivers and streams is the
best way for elephants to keep cool
and they simply love to be in the water.
Accompany a mahout and his elephant
down to the river and help bathe the
elephant. This is a good early morning
activity.
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LONG-TAIL
BOAT TRIPS
The best way to enjoy the picturesque
landscape along the Mekong River area
is by long tail boat. Take a trip to
the ancient walled city of Chiang Saen
or further to Chang Khong or just hire
a boat for the pleasure of speeding
up or down the river between the three
countries – Thailand, Myanmar
and Laos.
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SOP
RUAK
The town of Sop Ruak lies at the apex
of the Golden Triangle. River cruises
on the Mekong River start out from the
town of Sop Ruak and offer a choice
of several key destinations along the
lower reaches of the Mekong such as
Chiang Khong and Chiang Saen in Thailand
and Luang Prabang in Laos, or upstream
towards Sipsongpanna and Kunming in
Southern China.
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CHIANG
KHONG
Crossing from Buck Pier in Chiang Khong
to Huai Sai in Laos
Chiang Khong, a small peaceful district
of Chiang Rai province, is one of the
popular gateways to Laos. Before crossing
the border, visitors fill out an application
form at the Customs House at Bo Kaeo.
The border crossing is made from Buck
Pier to Huai Sai in Laos. The two popular
routes for cruises on the Mekong River
departing from Buck Pier where visitors
are able to rent boats is from Buck
Pier to Luang Prabang, and from Buck
Pier to Chiang Saen and the Golden Triangle,
for Thai tourists. |
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THE
HALL OF OPIUM
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.
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. The
fascinating journey ends in the emotive
Hall of Reflection.
HALL OF
OPIUM
For the full story, please click
http://www.tatnews.org/
new_products/
detail.asp?id=1620
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Hall of Opium
Inside
the Hall of Opium |
CHIANG SAEN LAKE
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Lesser treeduck
in Chiang Saen |
A
tranquil paradise of wetland area and islands, set
aside for the protection of the eco-system. Whilst
fishing is allowed, though strictly controlled,
motorboats are expressly forbidden, which means
it’s a haven for wading and wetland birds
as well as migratory ducks. A great place for a
picnic lunch.
BIRDWATCHING
A
special effort has been undertaken by the Anantara
Resort and Spa Golden Triangle to protect and conserve
a range of natural habitats to encourage a diverse
range of birdlike to nest in forested land around
the property.
Ponds and rivers in the surrounding areas are natural
habitats, or rest stop, for waders, kingfishers
and numerous ducks. In the forest, spot drongos,
rollers, robins, shamas, babblers, flycatchers,
cisticolas and at dusk owls and owlets.
THE
ANCIENT CAPITAL OF CHIANG SAEN
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| Wat
Pa Sak |
Wat
Chedi Luang |
Wat
Phra Chao Lan Tong |
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Half an hours’ drive away is the ancient northern
capital of Chiang Saen where the ancient ruins,
walls and dyke of this frontier town and once abandoned
capital are still visible.
Archaeological evidence suggests that Chiang Saen
had been a significant site of pre-historic human
settlement. Ancient city walls, moats, fortresses,
gateways and temples, and other relics of the former
Chiang Saen kingdom extend over an area of approximately
500 acres of Greater Chiang Saen. Chiang Saen was
a principality founded by Saenphu, a nephew of King
Mengrai who was the founder of the 13th
century Lanna kingdom.
Some fascinating sites of historical and archaeological
interest include Wat Pa Sak (Temple of the teak
forest) constructed during the reign of King Saen
Phu in the 14th century AD and reflecting
Mon, Burmese and Sukhothai influence, Wat Chedi
Luang with its huge 600 year-old banyan tree, the
Chiang Saen National Museum and Wat Phra Chao Lan
Tong featuring the only Sukothai style ‘walking
Buddha’.
The trip also presents a perfect opportunity to
enjoy the cuisine of all the three countries.
CHIANG SAEN TOWN
From ancient 14th century chedi and Buddhist
temples to the busy fish and food market, Chiang
Saen is a place where people from a multitude of
ethnic origins converge – Akha, Hmong, Lisu
hilltribe people, Burmese, Laotians and Thais.
Visit the market during the day and buy freshly
made hot coconut-and-rice paste patties, deep-fried
bananas, Thai cakes and sweets. See fishmongers’
catch of riverine fish, including catfish –
a native species of the Mekong basin. Local fare
includes bamboo grubs, a deep-fried speciality of
northern Thailand, and all manner of exotic local
fruit and vegetables.
Chiang Saen is the official border crossing for
ferry trips to the town of Thon Phuak in Laos, for
travellers of Thai or Laos nationality.
Arabica
coffee beans Sa paper, handicrafts |
THE
DOI TUNG COMMUNITY PROJECT IN CHIANG
RAI
All the freshly brewed Arabica coffee
and delicious Macadamia nuts served
at Anantara are produced at Doi Tung,
a community project started by Her Royal
Highness the late Princess Mother. At
Doi Tung, you’ll be able to buy
home-made macadamia nut cookies, traditionally
made mulberry bark paper, coffee, pottery
and woven items.
This is the heart of hill tribe country.
Take a tour to some of the Akha villages
and drive around the breathtaking countryside
that was once home to historic warlords
and drug barons.
DOI TUNG
- SWITZERLAND OF THAILAND
For more information on Doi Tung, please
click
http://www.tatnews.org/emagazine/1619.asp
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DOI SA NGO PROJECT
Formerly an opium market, Doi Sa Ngo is home to
the Akha hill tribe and was chosen by His Majesty
the King for a Royal project. Today many flowers
are grown for their seed and provide a sustainable
income for the villagers. The village is built in
traditional Akha style and provides a fascinating
insight into a side of Thai life that still exists
in remote pockets.
SAN THUNG RESERVOIR
A great mountain-biking destination. Cycle to the
reservoir and have a picnic. Then hire a bamboo
raft for a relaxed afternoon of snoozing and bird
watching.
THREE COUNTRIES TOUR
Located less than 0.5km from the border with Burma
and Laos, the Anantara is the perfect location from
which to visit three countries in one day.
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SET
OUT FROM TACHILEK, MYANMAR
Start of from the Burmese border town of Tachilek,
a melting pot of people and cultures and a
thriving trading post. Visit the bustling
market just across the friendship bridge from
the northern Thai town of Mae Sai. (Myanmar
is half an hour behind Thailand so remember
to put your watch back just half an hour.)
Stroll through an ethnic Shan village and
visit a replica of Rangoon’s famous
Shwedagon Pagoda. Here, make an offering to
the Buddha of your birthday before ringing
the temple bell.
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CROSS
BACK INTO THAILAND
Crossing back into Thailand, stop for a picnic
lunch at the village of Wang Lao where a large
white Chedi on a small hill overlooks the
Ruak River and out over the Lanna landscape
of Thailand, Burma and Laos.
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ONTO
TOWN OF SOP RUAK AT THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE
From here the drive continues to Sob Ruak,
a village where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar
and Laos converge. In the distance, the statue
of a golden Buddha stands on a hilltop and
marks the site of a 14th century
Chedi. |
A
DAY TRIP TO DON SAO ISLAND, LAOS
A long-tailed speedboat on the river takes you to
Don Sao Island. A treaty between France, Siam and
the English ceded 38 islands in the Mekong to French
controlled Laos.
The island of Don Sao – which means ‘Island
Twenty’ – has a special dispensation
which grants an easy route for the foreign visitor
to set foot in Laos without the labyrinthine immigration
processes found elsewhere along the border.
The quiet island, covered with kapok trees, is a
tax-free shopping haven, selling mainly souvenirs,
cigarettes and local drinks. It is a perfect place
for a sundowner of local beer, the famous Laotian
coffee or, for the very brave, Laotian whisky.
The day ends with a final trip upstream to Sob Ruak.
The river marks the boundary between Thailand and
Myanmar.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
News Room sincerely thanks the Anantara Resort and
Spa Golden Triangle and The Siam Society under Royal
Patronage for kindly offering suggestions and providing
information for ‘things to do’ around
the Golden Triangle.
The Anantara Resort and Spa Golden Triangle resort
is located 60 km north of Chiang Rai’s international
airport. Transfers are provided to and from the
resort.
RESERVATIONS
Reservations or enquiries about the resort can be
made online at www.anantara.com.
Telephone reservations: 66 (0) 5378 4084 or 66 (0)
2 477 0760. |
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