The Golden Triangle

As I embarked on my journey through the Golden Triangle, the vibrant culture and mesmerizing landscapes painted an unforgettable picture. Renting a bike proved to be the perfect way to immerse myself in the journey, navigating through the scenic routes that led me to this iconic location where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar converge.

Upon arrival, the grandeur of the Golden Buddha stood as a testament to the rich spiritual heritage of this region. I found myself drawn to the serenity of the place, spending a tranquil 40 minutes seated in awe in front of this magnificent statue, feeling the weight of its history and significance.

The beauty of the Golden Triangle extends far beyond its geographical significance. The lush greenery and the gentle flow of the Mekong River created a serene backdrop that perfectly complemented the solemnity of the site. It’s a place where time seems to pause, allowing visitors to absorb the sheer beauty and tranquility of the surroundings.

Standing at the meeting point of these three countries, the borders felt almost symbolic, marking not only a geographical point but also a cultural convergence. The subtle distinctions in architecture, scents of local cuisines, and the vibrant tapestry of languages being spoken around me served as a reminder of the rich diversity thriving within this small geographic space.

In conclusion, the Golden Triangle isn’t just a meeting point of nations; it’s a convergence of history, spirituality, and natural beauty. My time there was an enriching experience, leaving me with a profound appreciation for the harmonious blend of cultures and the sheer magnificence this place embodies.

Nice place - the photos make it seem that the triangle is bigger than it is. That's fine though - it's still a cool concept and the local area is nice. The food spots are quite nice nearby too. While there's a view high up that's quite nice, the triangle itself is at street level. There are two of them too.

It is a best place to look three countries in one second. The place must to be visit if you are plan to go Chiang rai. It is able to visit Laos market by boat. Will take around 30mins to be there and have 30min to market. Can taste snake whisky in there. Really got great experience

I visited on 19th Jan'24, until now I'm still feeling this place is amazing, I can use 'magical' to describe this place. You can see another land of 2 different countries when you are standing at another. It's really worth paying a visit.

Very unique experience that being able to stand at the point among borders of three countries - Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. Obviously Thailand side is most developed. Meanwhile many constructions being done at the “special economical zone” on Laos side. I guess Laos is supported by China government. It’s worth to spend 4.5 hours driving from Chiang Mai to here.

We arrived here around 9:30 in the morning, well before it got busy. This is good for taking pictures. There isn't that much to see but we did enjoy the visit. We rode a rented scooter from Chiang Rai and would recommend as it is cheaper than a tour and you have your own freedom. Stayed maybe 45 minutes and than moved on.

The meeting of river boundaries of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos is visually striking and historically important. On the Thai side you see a temple with a massive glistening golden Buddha, contrasting with Myanmar countryside, and a bustling, huge construction site of a new Loa city and casino complex. A fascinating study of contrasts

This place should be a must visit. It is a unique place where the borders of 3 countries merge. Namely Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.

Pros
1. Most of the area can be visited for free except for private tours including the boat tours and museums.
2. There are a couple of boat types starting from 500 THB per boat for the smallest boat and 800 THB for a bigger boat.
3. Some shops might also provide speed boat tours, please enquire around.
4. The boat tours take around 20 minutes. It should take you to the casino on the Myanmar side and the SEZ area on the Laos side.
5. The casinos on the Laos side have laser light projections after the sunset. It is mesmerizing to watch. Please check the videos attached to this review.
6. You might need a private taxi or a car to check the casino area during night. Not sure of any tours.
7. There is a glass bridge around 7KM from this point. It is a must visit. Please lookup for "Mekong Skywalk"

Considerations
1. Quite a distance from Chiang Rai.
2. Please cary an umbrella depending upon the weather and sun to avoid heat.

Great place to visit. If possible take a boat to the china market but would need to go through immigration.
You stand in Thailand and across is Laos and Myanmar border.

Golden triangle. One can see Laos, Myanmar, Thailand hence the name. Used to be a place where poppy plants are planted. Opium trade flourished here once a upon a time. Drug lord Khunsa has a base here many years ago

Trust me. It’s not yellow filter or colored lens. It’s definitely PM 2.5😱 Fantastic view seeing three-country borders from one place! But please do something about the air pollution🙏 Most visitors came from Thai’s neighboring countries. They seem nice travelers dressing in local costumes.

The Golden Triangle is the area where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the Ruak and Mekong rivers. Chiang Rai province in northern Thailand is the gateway to this unique region in Southeast Asia.The name of the region comes from its history. The Golden Triangle was once the global capital of opium production and the hub of the international opium trade. The lucrative substance was literally “worth its weight in gold” as a kilo of opium could be traded for a kilo of gold. The rolling hills of the Golden Triangle were once filled with brightly colored opium poppy fields used to harvest and extract opium, with hill tribes villages heavily involved in the production, use, and trade of the drug. Thailand has since banned the sale of opium and cracked down on production and trafficking and made huge strides at rehabilitating affected communities by encouraging the production of wholesome alternatives like vegetables and teaDespite its dark history, the Golden Triangle is now laid back and peaceful but busy with the movement of everyday life. It’s a great place for a day trip, with plenty to do. Hike up to the viewpoint for panoramic views from up high, or take a boat trip up the Mekong River for a completely different perspective. Laze back in the boat and enjoy the scenery, or stop at a Laos island for a chance to dip into Lao culture from Thailand.

Booked a trip and it was well worth it. No queue for boat with priority given. Spectacular Buddah one side of the river and the kings casino on the Laos side

Very interesting spor, see across the Maekong river to Laos and Myanmar. Love the local sellers of food, drinks and souvenir. If you're in Chiang Rai, pay a visit!

Few days ago I was at the triangle between Laos, Cambodia and Thailand.
This time with Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.

Many free parking's available along the road. No entrance fee.

We rented one boat for 40 minutes to drive around on the Mekong river. Well worth it! Much more interesting to see this place from the river.

Nice place with history. Since it wasn't yet a tourist season, the visit was particularly worthwhile. No photo stress.

Not kuch has changed since my last visot many years ago before Covid. However, across the river in Laos, so much development has taken place.

No worries. Safe place. Bring more cash for souvenirs 😉 . 1hr drive from Tea Farm.

This is located in Chiang Saen on the borders of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand and we were on the Thailand side and had driven up from Chiang Mai. This area where the golden triangle is has a lot of tourist shops and also some great views, some river cruises on small boats. There is some restaurants a short drive from this location but no much here right at the golden triangle. The town itself has some good Saturday evening markets and some Sunday markets with a variety of food and other items. There is a temple on the way here that is great if you want to do a skywalk and see the whole area from a lookout viewpoint. Checkout my videos on TikTok TTSWTHAILAND or YouTube The Travelling Social Worker in Thailand.

Must join the boat tour to sailing on the mekong river.

You can reach the borders of three countries，Myanmar Laos Thailand.