I was looking back on a trip to the Golden Triangle in 2007. While the name "Golden Triangle" is often associated with Chiang Mai in travel brochures, it is actually located in Chiang Rai Province, about a 3–4 hour drive north of Chiang Mai.
By 2007, the region had already transitioned from its infamous history as an opium-producing hub into a major cultural and tourist destination. Here is a look back at what that experience likely entailed during that era:
The Confluence at Sop Ruak
The most iconic spot we have visited is Sop Ruak, the exact point where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet.
- The View: I stood at the viewpoint overlooking the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak rivers.
- The Monument: In 2007, the large Golden Buddha (Phra Chiang Saen Si Phaendin) sitting on a boat-shaped platform was already a central landmark for photos.
The Hall of Opium
Going to a museum, the Hall of Opium, which opened in 2003. By 2007, it was considered one of the best museums in Southeast Asia. It was built by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation to educate visitors on the dark history of the drug trade in the region and the transformation led by the late Princess Mother.
MEKONG RIVER
The Mekong River is the central "lifeline" of the Golden Triangle, serving as both a physical border and a vital resource for the nations that meet at its confluence.
The Golden Triangle is specifically defined as the point where the Mekong River meets the Ruak River. At this junction, the river creates the natural boundaries between Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. It is the longest river in Southeast Asia, flowing approximately 4,000 km from the Tibetan Plateau to the South China Sea.
For centuries, the Mekong has facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas between China and Southeast Asia.
Historically, the river was a major smuggling route. In the mid-20th century, heavily guarded caravans transported raw opium to refineries along the riverbanks.
The term "Golden Triangle" was coined in 1971 to describe this high-volume opium-producing intersection.
Today, it supports the livelihoods of over 60 million people who rely on its water for agriculture (such as rice and fruit), transportation and fishing.
DON SAO, LAOS
A very common 2007 "tourist tradition" was taking a longtail boat across the Mekong to Don Sao Island in Laos.
You didn't need a formal visa—just a small fee and leaving your passport at the Thai pier.
Don Sao is on Mekong River, in the Bokeo Province in Laos, directly across the river from the Thai Village of Sop Ruak in Chiang Rai province. The main attraction of Don Sao was a small tourist market, sold things like Lao textiles, souvenir, Lao banknotes etc.
Nearby Stops
Our tour included:
MAE SAI - BORDER OF THAILAND & MYANMAR
The border between Thailand and Myanmar at Mae Sai is the northernmost point of Thailand. During our visit in 2007, this crossing was a central hub for trade, tourism, and "visa runs".
The international border is defined by a two-lane bridge over the Mae Sai River (a tributary of the Ruak River), connecting the Thai town of Mae Sai with the Burmese town of Tachileik.
A golden-yellow arch in Mae Sai officially proclaims "Thailand's Northernmost Point" at the old customs house. The border is flanked by massive markets on both sides. The Thai side features the Mae Sai Market, while the Burmese side in Tachileik is known for duty-free goods, electronics, and local handicrafts.
In 2007, Mae Sai was a vital economic link for the Asian Highway (AH2), which facilitated the flow of people and goods between the two nations.
The border between Thailand and Myanmar at the Golden Triangle is primarily defined by the Ruak River, which flows into the larger Mekong River. For most visitors traveling from Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai in 2007, the experience centered on two main locations: the river confluence at Sop Ruak and the official land crossing at Mae Sai.
The Ruak River serves as the natural boundary between Thailand and Myanmar. The Phra Buddha Nawa Lan Tue (Golden Triangle Buddha) is the most prominent landmark, seated on a large decorative boat on the Thai Bank.
Across the Ruak River in Myanmar, the Paradise Resort (a large casino and hotel complex) was already a prominent feature of the landscape.
CHIANG SAEN
Chiang Saen: The ancient riverside town filled with 13th-century Lanna ruins. Located right next to the Mekong River. It holds significant historical and cultural value, once serving as a major city and capital of the Lanna Kingdom, is now known for its extensive temple ruins and proximity to the Golden Triangle.
LONG-NECK KAREN VILLAGE
Long-Neck Karen Villages: Many tours in 2007 stopped at Padaung (Long-Neck) hill tribe villages on the way back toward Chiang Mai. It refers to a number of Kayan Lahwi (a subgroup of the Karen People) communities, primarily located in Northern Thailand (Chaing Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son Provinces) and their ancestral lands in Myanmar (Burma).
These villages are often to tourism, providing a livelihood for the residents who are largely refugees and do not have full citizenship rights in Thailand.
If you are already in Chiang Rai, it is absolutely worth a half-day trip to see how much the region has transformed. However, if you are staying in Chiang Mai, I wouldn't suggest the long drive unless you combine it with an overnight stay in Chiang Saen or Mae Sai.
Hj Zulheimy Maamor
Lembah Keramat, KL
1/1/2026: 7.39 a.m
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