Day off or ride from
Chiang Rai to Golden Triangle, Burma, Laos and back
Today we travel to the Centre of Golden Triangle where Ruak
river flows into Mekong and three borders meet. At the
Northernmost point of Thailand you can walk across Thai-Burmese
border to town Tha Chi Lek. This is a popular duty-free shopping
destination for tourists. The market has local handicrafts
ranging from kitsch to genuine Burmese Shan clothing. Pirated
CDs and DVDs are also available but note that possession of
these may be illegal in your country. Tha Chi Lek has retained
the habit of allowing vendors to openly sell endangered animal
parts. It has been suggested by some that this trade is fuelled
by the many Chinese who frequent the area. Jade of high quality
is sold at reasonable prices though.
The Golden Triangle
is one of Asia's two main illicit opium-producing areas. But
we are not going to look for this drug. We shall leave the
ordinary world behind. After the lunch we shall take a river
tour of Golden Triangle across the Mekong into Laos (no
passport needed). And speaking of unique experiences, have
you ever ridden in a long-tail boat? These remarkable
watercraft are powered by automobile engines and steered
with a long shaft. (Hence the name long-tail.) and you are
separated from the water only by 5 mm of plywood. They can
go like...well, like formula one. Snake brandy ii the Laos
village tastes almost better than schnapps... Riding back we shall stop at Chiang Saen
- an important port for goods from Chinese Yunnan province
only 60 km away. Accommodation with breakfast in Chiang Rai.
