Tuesday 28 May 2013

Places in the Heart #3 - The Golden Triangle

Unlike most Australians who visit Thailand, my first experience of the Land of Smiles was in the far north, in the so-called Golden Triangle. Here, Burma, Laos and Thailand meet at the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak rivers, the physical border marked by several Big Things - the tackiest of casinos in Laos and Burma, and a huge golden Buddha on a glittering, dragon-prowed ship surrounded by white elephants on the Thai side.

image from Thailandwanderer.com

During daylight hours, the little town of Sop Ruak is abuzz with tourists shopping for market souvenirs, taking photos at a hillside lookout, and praying for blessings under the benevolent smile of the Buddha. For most visitors, this is a whistlestop en route to the border town of Mae Sai or the gorgeous Queen’s gardens at Doi Tung ... but there are many rewards for lingering a little, exploring this fascinating and historic part of the country over several days.

My first visit here in 2006 coincided with the annual Elephant Polo tournament, which for five years was held in the grounds of the Anantara Golden Triangle. With its own holistically-run elephant camp, this was a celebration of Thailand’s pachyderms in their natural environment, a welcome respite of quality care and attention for elephants brought off the streets of Bangkok, Pattaya and Surin. Economics and the tyranny of distance, however, eventually forced the event back south to its original base of Hua Hin, closer to Bangkok and less of a haul for socialites and tourists. 

At the ele polo

It was here that I started my love affair with these gentle, intelligent and hilarious giants of the animal kingdom; and while I have since visited many other elephant camps around Thailand, I'm yet to find one that impresses me quite as much as the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, managed by the thoughtful and conservation-minded John Roberts. 

While private visits to this camp can be arranged, it is not generally open to the public. Instead, guests at the all-inclusive Anantara resort have full access to the elephants, with mahout lessons and care for the animals all part of a daily itinerary - a fantastic experience for anyone who can afford it. 

Baby elephant at GTAEF

But if you need an even greater incentive to visit Thailand’s north than elephants, there are plenty of other attractions in the Golden Triangle region to keep you occupied for several days. Across the road from the Anantara is the fascinating Hall of Opium, which tells the story of the region’s infamous drug trade without holding back; while the nearby town of Chiang Saen is a veritable historic goldmine, with Lanna temples such as Wat Phra That Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Chao Lan Thong dating back to the 13th century.

It’s beautifully cool and misty up here in the north during the winter season (November-January) - and there’s something truly magical about an early morning pilgrimage to the evocative Wat Pa Sak, built in 1295 and surrounded by 300 teak trees. Chances are you’ll have this architectural and spiritual gem all to yourself - enjoy the serenity.

Sunrise over the Mekong at Sop Ruak. Pics: Julie Miller

9 comments:

  1. golden triangle package
    I have read some good stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how a lot attempt you put to make the sort of great informative site

    ReplyDelete
  2. Despite all the health and safety guidelines and regulations that companies and contractors have to abide by, workers are still killed or seriously injured every year as a result of falling from roofs and other high places.
    www.agitationinterventions.org |

    www.allweathercabinets.org |

    www.brasilianworldmusicday.org |

    www.eggdonornetworkalliance.org |

    www.christiancaoudal.com |

    www.gallerynavya.com |

    www.freedomyogatherapy.com |

    www.gallerienavya.com |

    www.coastridgeoutfitters.com |

    www.subversiondeloshechos.com |

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice blog about Golden Triangle Packages Really very helpful and valuable information you have shared here. - See more information Golden Triangle Packages cover destination of top 3 places in India i.e. Delhi, Jaipur and Agra.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Automobile Hire can be quite a big great asset with regard to holidaymakers which never wish to bargain upon ease and comfort and also high-class though visiting. You are able to sometimes a ebook a motor vehicle intended for full time or maybe you can create this short journey through your resort to help any kind of location inside along with beyond the metropolis. Additionally, by using a vehicle hire, you will get inexpensive trip programs in addition to schedule for that locations within Delhi and also outstation locations similar to Jaipur, Agra and many others.


    Golden Triangle Tour Packages

    Golden Triangle Tour Package in India

    India Golden Triangle Tours

    Tour to Golden Triangle

    Golden Triangle Tour India

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kumarakom can be well-known for that backwater getaways. It's key sites are generally stunning backwater location, houseboats, Ayurveda areas & salons, Vembanad River, vessel luxury cruise, houseboat luxury cruise as well as Kumarakom Chook Retreat. The actual retreat houses parrots such as waterfowls, cuckoos, owls for example as well as migratory gulls similar to Siberian Cranes.

    Munnar - The Kashmir of South
    Munnar is actually involving of the most extremely gorgeous incline areas throughout Southern region Asia. Munnar is usually popular for the picturesque splendor, panoramic countryside, stimulating environment, attractive wetlands, green tea planting, spruce planting, and so forth. On this, gleam Tata Their tea Art gallery from the village. To its beautiful scenery some people assess the item while using the Kashmir.

    kerala tours
    kerala travels

    kerala holidays
    kerala holiday tours

    ReplyDelete
  6. Chennai: Chennai is really a city area within the southeast area involving The indian subcontinent. That has become the quick establishing locations involving Asia still clearly adheres thus to their era outdated practices as well as practices. Each of our rental fees automobile companies deliver special products and services towards vacation goers for you to discover this particular metropolis regarding wats or temples that's well known to its friendliness in addition to food.

    Golden Triangle Tour Packages

    Golden Triangle Tour Package in India

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kovalam - A World Famous Beach Town
    Kovalom is among the many chosen getaway locations on the planet, positioned with the range involving 13 kilometer via Trivandrum. The idea draws in numerous website visitors, browsing on a yearly basis. Seashore major resorts, Ayurvedic parlors, Entire body rub centres, Ayurvedic salons, Light-weight residence; Jama Masjid, Muringa Vila, for example enhance Kovalam's magnificence in addition to ensure it is a new course getaway getaway.

    kerala tours
    kerala travels

    ReplyDelete
  8. This Venice with the Eastern side is actually with child having attractive attractiveness connected with characteristics along with profitable tradition in addition to convention. It is just a host to spirituality as well as magnificence. Any traveller can offer the particular delight connected with visit as a result of a selection of getaway visit deals that offer quite a few possibilities to be able to discover the particular effective custom as well as tradition as well as idyllic natural splendor connected with Kerala.

    Tours in Kerala
    Kerala Travel Packages
    Kerala Tours Package
    Kerala Tour Packages
    Tours Packages in Kerala
    Travels & Tours in Kerala
    Holidaying in Kerala

    ReplyDelete