Images of the Mekong River surrounded by mist clad mountains, rice fields and forests project a feeling of serenity, simplicity and innocence. Looks, however, are often deceiving. This description is of the Golden Triangle in the north of Thailand, well known for its opium growing practices. Heroine, a well known drug derived from opium, is a great concern the world over and the Golden Triangle in Thailand was one such place where opium was grown extensively, concocted into heroine and consequently smuggled out of the country to supply more than half of the global illegal heroine supply.
Situated in the immediate vicinity of the Golden Triangle is the Golden Triangle Park, an exhibition rich with information about the opium industry that flourished in this area, known as the Hall of Opium. The Hall of Opium consists of a number of exhibits pertaining to the long history of the use of opium. This includes interesting information about the medicinal value of opium in ancient civilizations as well as its usage in modern medicine, the Opium Wars and the various steps taken to control the industry. What is noteworthy is that the park even contains a small opium plantation making the Hall of Opium an essential place to visit if you happen to be in the Chiang Rai Province.
Technically, however, the Golden Triangle refers to the meeting of three nations: Thailand, Myanmar and Laos but is known to the inhabitants of the region as Sop Ruak. Located in the Chiang Rai Province, in the north of Thailand, it provides any visitor with a deceptively simple yet panoramic view of Myanmar and Laos.
Staying at Chiang Rai hotels would offer visitors a multitude of options, depending on their preference, to pass the time and enjoy themselves immensely. The Anantara Golden Triangle Thailand is one such option providing travellers with days filled with fun, pending time with elephants, crossing the Mekong River by boat and enjoying authentic Thai cuisine at its finest. This Golden Triangle Hotel is the ideal place to reside in with its quick access to the Hall of Opium, enticing expeditions down the river and exciting jungle escapades.