The "Golden Triangle" refers to a triangle located in the border region of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos in Southeast Asia, which is famous for its long-term abundance of opium and other drugs and is the world's main drug producing area. The "Golden Triangle" covers more than 3,000 villages and towns in northern Myanmar and Kachin State, Chiang Rai and northern Chiang Mai in Thailand, Luang Namtha Province, Phongsali and Oudomxay provinces in Laos, and Luang Prabang Province in western China.

Regional location

Located at the junction of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand in Southeast Asia, the Thai government erected a memorial arch engraved with the words "Golden Triangle" at the junction of the three countries, so this area is called the "Golden Triangle".

Geomorphological features

The traffic here is blocked, the mountains are stacked, and the total area is about 15~200,000 square kilometers. The undulating mountains form a three-dimensional climate, and the people at the foot of the mountain are very hot, and the people at the top of the mountain may have to gather around the fire to resist the cold, and the natural conditions in the high-altitude areas are relatively poor, and people's lives are more difficult.

Climatic environment

The average altitude of the region is 1500-3000 meters, the land is fertile, and the climate is warm and humid. The long-term sunshine of the subtropics of the Golden Triangle makes it enough to have enough sunlight to promote the growth of all kinds of plants, the changes of the monsoon belt in Southeast Asia make the formation of dry and wet seasons here, the southwest monsoon brings a large amount of hot and humid water from the sea in summer to form a wet season when the rainfall is abundant, and the dry season is formed when the dry and cold monsoon belt in the north is affected by the east season, and this periodic change regulates the rhythm of local organisms.

The climate of long sunshine, low latitude and high humidity in Southeast Asia is very easy for animals and plants to grow and reproduce, which in turn forms a unique local rainforest climate, resulting in biological diversity here.

Ecological rivers

The Mekong River is another important geographical reason for the formation of the "Golden Triangle", it flows straight south from Qinghai in northwest China, through China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia six countries, a total length of 4009 kilometers of river to cut off the mountains and mountains of Southeast Asia, plus numerous deep valleys and turbulent tributaries between the mountains, resulting in countless canyons and cliffs, forming a large traffic blind spot. Due to the above special geographical reasons, the Golden Triangle region has less economic and cultural ties with the developed regions, and it is difficult for the central government of the relevant countries to carry out in-depth or effective control over the Golden Triangle period for a long time.

However, the favorable climatic conditions for crop production, coupled with the particularity and complexity of the topography, landform, and geographical climate, have created an excellent place for the survival and reproduction of many ethnic groups in this region, as well as all kinds of separatist forces, regional forces, or national armed forces. The complex geography, the complex peoples, and the deformed forces have created an excellent stage for the mystical stories staged here.

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Drug trade

The Golden Triangle is rich in opium poppies and is famous all over the world for producing opium, heroin and other drugs through local warlords and drug lords. The Golden Triangle region, the Golden Crescent region on the borders of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, and the Silver Triangle on the border of Colombia and Venezuela are known as the world's three major drug sources.

Cultivation history

From the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century, Britain, the United States, France and other countries successively went to the area to teach planting, refining, and marketing techniques, and to purchase opium The output rose from tens of tons to about 200 tons, and by the early 80s, the output had reached about 700 tons, increased to 1200 tons in 1988, doubled in 1989, and reached 2400 tons, and in 1991 it had broken through the 3000 tons mark.

Drug production

The core area of the Golden Triangle is the border between Myanmar, Thailand and Laos, but under the Thai government's powerful anti-drug offensive, most of the drug production areas have been transferred to Myanmar. The Golden Triangle region is the world's largest producer of opium and heroin, with a planting area of more than 1 million mu, an annual output of 2,650 to 2,800 tons of opium, and an annual output of about 200 tons of heroin. It is relatively accepted that the Golden Triangle is the source of 20 per cent of the world's opium supply, while 60 to 70 per cent of the world's heroin is trafficked annually through the Golden Triangle, and that the region's annual heroin production capacity is sufficient to meet two years of global heroin consumption.

Narco-drug forces

In the 20th century, the area was home to many of the most famous drug lords, and for a long time, it has been home to rebels and other drug forces, so it is also known as the "adventurer's paradise". For example, Kun Sha, Luo Xinghan, Peng Jiasheng, etc. In order to produce and sell drugs, these drug lords have organized a group of well-armed local armed forces to openly confront the central governments of Myanmar and Thailand.

In the past, the most drug-producing local forces in Myanmar were: Kokang in the First Special Region and Wa State in the Second Special Region, which were actually controlled by the local warlords of the Golden Triangle, but they were still subject to the central military government of Myanmar and had great autonomy rights, which also facilitated their own supply and trafficking of drugs.

In the late 70s and early 80s of the 20th century, as the Burmese and Thai armies intensified their attacks on the Khunsar group, a number of opium poppy plantations were destroyed, and at the same time, the United Nations Drug Control Foundation allocated special funds to implement the policy of replacing opium poppy cultivation with cereal and coffee in the "Golden Triangle" region. Over a period of time, opium poppy production fell sharply, with the "Golden Crescent" in Central Asia once replacing the Golden Triangle as the world's largest opium production base.

However, since 1986, opium poppy production in the "Golden Triangle" has rapidly recovered and developed, and production has increased dramatically, far exceeding the record high, and once again becoming the world's number one opium production base.

Every year, 60%~70% of the world's heroin is trafficked through the "Golden Triangle" region, and the annual production capacity of heroin in this region can meet the needs of global heroin consumption for two years. In January 1996, the forces led by Khunsa surrendered to the government. However, drug production in this region has not stopped, and it is still the second largest opium-producing region in the world after the Golden Crescent.

It was not until 2005 that the parties involved in the "Golden Triangle" announced a cessation of opium poppy cultivation and a large-scale transition to rice, vegetable and sugar cane production. In 2006, the Yunnan Provincial Public Security and Anti-Narcotics Department measured that the area of opium poppy cultivation in the "Golden Triangle" area was about 200,000 mu through satellite remote sensing monitoring and other means. Opium poppy cultivation in the "Golden Triangle" region has fallen to its lowest point in 100 years.

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Special Economic Zones

The current situation of the Special Administrative Region

Laos Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone was approved by the Lao government, formally established on September 9, 2009, the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone is a special zone with a high degree of autonomy in addition to national defense, foreign Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, and judicial power, as the world's first "enterprise overseas" special zone.

The Golden Triangle now has several thousand people, many Chinese, Chinese security personnel to maintain law and order, and even the currency used is the renminbi, "the only sign that shows Lao jurisdiction is the stamp on the passport." Hong Kong's "Asia Times" also said that in Huihai City, Bokeo Province, it is common to see Chinese cars with unlicensed plates driving around.

Development Plans

According to the local development plan, the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone will become a large city with a capacity of 200,000 people in the future, and high-end entertainment facilities such as casinos, luxury hotels, golf courses, and karaoke bars will become important profit growth points in the region. Among them, the casino mainly attracts gamblers from China and Thailand, as gambling is illegal in these two countries. According to the website of The Diplomat, the entire facilities of the Golden Triangle are expected to be fully completed by 2020, with a total cost of more than $2.25 billion. At that time, the highway that crosses the Golden Triangle region will run from Yunnan, China, through Laos, to the Thai border.

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Tourist attractions

Mae Sai Town

Also known as the "Sleeping Beauty", it is the northernmost town in Thailand. Mae Sai town has only one main street running from south to north, which is actually the end of the Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai to Mae Sai Expressway, which ends at the stone bridge on the Thai-Myanmar border. The street is lined with shops, many of which are owned by Chinese, selling daily necessities, handicrafts and souvenirs from both Thailand and Myanmar.

A few dozen meters to the west of the street is a hill that can be reached by climbing more than a hundred steps to the top, with a Phra That Doi ao (Pata Reading Wo Temple) and a viewing tower. Climb the observation tower for a panoramic view of Mae Sai Town, Mae Sai River and Thachilek in Myanmar.

At the end of the street (to the north) is the Mae Sai River, and across the river is the town of Tachili in Myanmar. The river is connected by a stone bridge, and at the head of the bridge there is a "northernmost point" archway, and residents of the two countries can enter each other's territory for 5 kilometers without a visa. Both places are bustling with markets, attracting a large number of Thai and Myanmar residents to buy and sell here.

Due to the abundance of jade in Myanmar, Mae Sai has a large number of shops and stalls selling jade, and Mae Sai is also a jade trading center in northern Thailand. In addition, because of its location on the northern border of Thailand, Mae Sai is a must-stop for tourists to go to the Golden Triangle, Chiang Saen and other places.

The town of Tachili

The town of Tachili and Mae Sai are connected by a stone bridge across the river from the town of Tachili in Myanmar, and residents of the two places can travel freely within a certain area for border trade or sightseeing. Foreign tourists who want to enter Tachili Town in Myanmar for shopping and sightseeing are required to submit a valid passport, a copy of their passport, 3 photographs, and a few US dollars at the checkpoint on the Thai border for a 'transit day trip' or through a local travel agency.

In addition, a visa fee of US$15 is required to enter the Myanmar border and a passport (which is to be collected with a return receipt upon return) and the area of the activity must be within Tachili town. If you are not interested in the Burmese temples around Tachili Town, or if you are more knowledgeable and go to the Burmese side to buy jade, you can not go.

Chiang Saen County

Founded in 659 AD by the Lanathai Dynasty, it was a small independent state that was invaded by the Burmese and ruled for 250 years. It was not until the current dynasty's founder, King Chao Phraya, defeated the Burmese army and recaptured Chiang Saen.

There are still ruins of the old city walls and many historical sites in the area, and there is a 'Chiang Saen Museum', which is a branch of the National Museum of Thailand, which displays various ancient Buddha statues from the Chiang Saen era and the customs and cultural relics of the ethnic minorities of northern Thailand.

Chiang Saen, because it is located at the junction of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos, was a poppy distribution center in the past, and all kinds of drugs in the Golden Triangle were transported south to Thailand and then to all parts of the world. Today, Chiang Saen has become a well-known tourist area, and the local population has abandoned the cultivation of opium poppy in favor of other crops. However, the local population still seems to have a tradition of opium smoking.

Golden triangle

The Golden Triangle in a broad sense refers to a three-part area where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, and the Golden Triangle in a narrow sense refers to the delta area where the Mekong River and the Mae Sai River meet. The famous Golden Triangle archway, which is the symbol of Thailand's Golden Triangle region, is the village of Sobruak, located near the ancient city of Chiang Saen. It is located between Mae Sai town and Chiang Saen town, 60 kilometers away from Mae Sai, 11 kilometers away from Chiang Saen, and across the river from Myanmar and Laos.

Because it is located in a mountainous area, the landform is unique, the forest is lush, the scenery is beautiful, and because Myanmar and Laos are closed to the country, it adds to the mystery of this place. Once famous for its opium production, where 80% of the world's opium comes from, the Golden Triangle is now a popular tourist destination in northern Thailand, attracting countless tourists every year. The Golden Triangle archway is made of marble, 4 meters high, and is engraved with Thai and English characters: "Golden Triangle". It is surrounded by tourist souvenir shops, jade jewelry shops and restaurants, selling a variety of specialty goods such as mountain folk costumes from Thailand, jewelry and jade from Myanmar and mountain treasures from Laos. The clerks are generally dressed in ethnic minority costumes, showing the unique ethnic customs of northern Thailand, and the goods are also very commemorative.

Mesle Village

Mae Sle Village is located about 60 kilometers northwest of Chiang Rai and about 1,300 meters above sea level on Mae Sle Mountain. The village is mainly populated by soldiers and their descendants of the former Kuomintang 93rd Division, who retreated here in 1949 and later settled with the approval of the Thai government, as well as some immigrants from southwest China. The villagers have retained a strong Chinese Han living habits and style, and it is the largest Chinese village in northern Thailand.

Located in the high mountains, the climate is mild and humid, the clouds and mist are shrouded all year round, the forests are beautiful, the mountains are full of flowers, and the scenery is pleasant, so it is also called "Little Switzerland". After years of development, the village has become another popular tourist destination in northern Thailand with relatively complete tourism and commercial facilities.

The history and characters of Meisle Village have deep roots with Chinese mainland and Taiwan, and aside from politics, in terms of its historical trajectory, it is undoubtedly a history that reflects the arduous struggle of the Chinese people for survival and development.