What could possibly top the 5 baht mechanical masterpiece?
I was doubtful that anything could, but then we rolled up in the now legendary Golden Triangle.
We arrived by way of a quick shufti at the Thai-Myanmar border crossing.
A complete waste of time as it's been closed for a couple of years now.
We hung about on the off chance that a freedom hungry Myanmar person would try to get across the river, but we were to be disappointed.
There weren't even any guards.....
Far more entertaining was The Golden Triangle.
Home to the lucrative opium trade, it's an area where 3 countries meet: Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. All of them keen cultivators of the poppy.
 |
| As you can see, I've drawn a helpful triangle. In a golden colour.... |
From left to right, you can see Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.
We'd heard much about the fabulous wealth generated by the opium business and so the official sign came as something of a disappointment:
Maybe they've had a few years of poor harvests.
We took the opportunity to visit the Opium Museum too. (It would have been rude not to really).
Inside, let me tell you, the poppy was king. A whole section was dedicated to the cultivation and harvesting of this infamous cash crop. (Although with scant information about processing - probably just as well)
There was a display of the various bits and pieces necessary to partake of the opium:
And it seems that you get a nice lie down while you're doing it:
It was all rather pleasant until, on turning a corner, I came upon this sobering sight:
It dampened what had been quite a festive mood I can tell you.
We came away (slightly) older and (barely) wiser.
Remember kids:
DONT TAKE DRUGS
 |
| This is Mae-Lin. An 18 year old opium fiend. |
No comments:
Post a Comment