Golden Triangle refers to theThailand、MyanmarandLaosA triangular area in the border area of the three countries, because this area has been rich for a long timeopium poppyetc.narcoticsIt is the main drug producing area in the world, which makes the "Golden Triangle" famous in the world.
be locatedSoutheast AsiaregionMyanmar、Laos、ThailandAt the junction of the three countries, the Thai government erected a memorial archway engraved with the words "Golden Triangle", so this area is called the "Golden Triangle".
Geomorphic features
The traffic here is blocked and the mountains are overlapping, with a total area of about 150000~200000 square kilometers.The undulating mountains form a three-dimensional climate. When people at the foot of the mountain are extremely hot, people at the top of the mountain may have to surround the fire pool to resist the cold. Relatively speaking, the natural conditions in high-altitude areas are relatively poor, and people's life is more difficult.
Climatic environment
The average altitude of this area is 1500-3000m. The land is fertile and the climate is warm and humid.The long sunshine in the subtropical zone enables enough sunshine to promote the growth of various plantsMonsoon zoneThe change ofSouthwest monsoonIt is formed when a large amount of hot and humid water is brought from the sea and abundant rainfall is formedWet seasonThe dry season is formed when the northern dry and cold monsoon zone influences in winter, 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 the growth and reproduction of animals and plants, thus forming the local unique rainforest climate, resulting in the biodiversity here.
Ecological river
Golden Triangle
The Mekong River is another important geographical reason for the formation of the "Golden Triangle". It flows directly southward from Qinghai in northwest China and passes throughChina、Laos、Myanmar、Thailand、Vietnam?andCambodiaIn six countries, the 4009 km long river cut off the high mountains in Southeast Asia. In addition to the numerous deep valleys and turbulent tributaries between the mountains, countless valleys and cliffs were created, forming a large traffic dead corner.Due to the above special geographical reasons, the Golden Triangle has less economic and cultural links with developed regions, and it is difficult for the central government of relevant countries to carry out in-depth or effective control over the Golden Triangle for a long time.
However, the good climatic conditions for crop production, together with the particularity and complexity of terrain, landform and geographical climate, have created an excellent place for the survival and reproduction of many ethnic groups in this region, as well as various separatist forces, regional forces or ethnic armed forces to survive and maneuver;What is more unimaginable is that this backward and narrow corner is constantly emitting the energy of corrupting the civilized society, and tenaciously announcing its existence to the world.The complicated geography, numerous nationalities and deformed forces have created an excellent stage for all kinds of mysterious stories staged here.
The first climax of drug production took shape here in the 1950s, followed by the "golden age" of the 1960s, when the output increased from dozens of tons to about 200 tons. By the early 1980s, the output had reached about 700 tons, increased to 1200 tons in 1988, doubled to 2400 tons in 1989, and exceeded the 3000 ton mark in 1991.
Drug production
The core area of the Golden Triangle isMyanmar、Thailand、LaosAt the junction of the three countriesThailandUnder the strong anti drug offensive of the government, most of the drug producing areas have moved to Myanmar.The Golden Triangle region is the largest heroin drug producing area in the world. The opium poppy cultivation area is more than 1 million mu, with an annual output of 2650 to 2800 tons of opium poppy and about 200 tons of heroin.A relatively recognized view is that the Golden Triangle is the source of supply of 20% of the world's opium poppy, while heroin trafficked through the Golden Triangle every year accounts for 60% - 70% of the world's total, and the annual production capacity of heroin in this region can meet the global consumption of heroin for two years.
plant
United Nations Office on Drugs and CrimeThe 2014 Southeast Asia Poppy Survey Report was released in Bangkok on December 8, 2014.The report shows that in 2014, the opium poppy cultivation area of Myanmar and Laos, the two major opium poppy producing countries in Southeast Asia, was expanding.The head of the Southeast Asia region of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime pointed out that the huge market demand and the lack of alternative planting plans were the main reasons for this situation, while the accelerating regional integration development created more challenges to deal with the spread of drugs in Southeast Asia.
This report focuses on the production areas of Myanmar and Laos, the major opium poppy producing countries in Southeast Asia, and presents a relatively comprehensive picture of opium poppy cultivation, drug production, use and circulation in Southeast Asia, especially in the Golden Triangle in 2014.According to the survey report, the opium poppy cultivation area in Myanmar and Laos reached 63800 hectares in 2014, showing an expanding trend for eight consecutive years since 2006.Myanmar is still the world's second largest opium poppy producer after Afghanistan, and the opium poppy production in the entire Golden Triangle has accounted for 22% of the total global opium poppy production。
Drug lords
In the 20th century, there were many famous drug lords in this area. For a long time, there have been many anti-government armed forces and other drug armed forces, so it is also known as the "paradise of adventurers".for exampleKunsha、Luo Xinghan、Peng JiashengEtc.In order to produce and sell drugs, these drug lords organized a group of well-equipped local armed forces to openly compete with the central governments of Myanmar, Thailand and other countries.
The local forces that once produced the most drugs in Myanmar were: the First Special ZoneBoldThe Second Special ZoneWa StateIn fact, these places are controlled by local warlords, but they still submit to the Central Military Government of Myanmar, have great autonomy rights, and also facilitate their own supply and trafficking of drugs.
From the late 1970s to the early 1980s, the Burmese and Thai armies stepped up their attacks on the Kunsa Group and destroyed a number of opium poppy plantations. At the same time, the United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse Control allocated special funds to implement the policy of replacing opium poppy with grain and coffee in the "Golden Triangle" area.For a period of time, the results have been achieved. The production of opium poppy has declined significantly, making the Central Asian region“Golden Crescent”It once replaced the Golden Triangle and became the world's largest drug production base.
However, since 1986, opium poppy production in the "Golden Triangle" has recovered and developed rapidly. The production has increased sharply, far exceeding the historical record and becoming the world's largest drug production base again.
Every year, heroin trafficked through the "Golden Triangle" area accounts for 60% to 70% of the world's total, and the annual production capacity of heroin in this area can meet the needs of global heroin consumption for two years.In January 1996, the armed forces led by Kunsa surrendered to the government.However, drug production in this area has not stopped, and it is still the second largest opium poppy producing area in the world after the "Golden Crescent".
It was not until 2005 that the parties concerned in the "Golden Triangle" announced the cessation of opium poppy cultivation and the large-scale transformation of the production of rice, vegetables and sugarcane.In 2006, the drug control department of the public security bureau of Yunnan Province measured by satellite remote sensing monitoring and other means that about 200000 mu of opium poppy was planted in the "Golden Triangle" area.The area under opium poppy cultivation in the "Golden Triangle" has dropped to the lowest point in 100 years.
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Name of scenic spot
Introduction to Scenic Spots
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Meisai Town
Also known as "Sleeping Beauty", it is the northernmost town in Thailand.There is only one main street from south to north in Meisai Town. This street is actually the end of Chiang Mai Chiang Rai and Meisai Express Trunk Road, ending at Shiqiao on the Thai Myanmar border.Both sides of the street are lined with shops, many of which are opened by Chinese, selling daily necessities, handicrafts and local specialties in Thailand and Myanmar.
Sketch map of Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone
Also known as "Sleeping Beauty", it is the northernmost town in Thailand.There is only one main street from south to north in Meisai Town. In fact, this street is the end of Chiang Mai Chiang Rai and Meisai Expressway, which ends at Shiqiao on the Thai Myanmar border.Both sides of the street are lined with shops, many of which are run by Chinese, selling daily necessities, handicrafts and local specialties in Thailand and Myanmar.
There is a hill dozens of meters away from the west of the street. You can reach the top of the hill by climbing more than 100 steps. There is a Wat Phra That Doi Wao (Pataduwo Temple) and a viewing tower on the top.On the observation tower, you can have a panoramic view of Meisai Town, Meisai River and Thachilek Town in Myanmar.
At the end (north) of the street is the Meisai River, and across the river is the town of Tachili in Myanmar.The river is connected by a stone bridge. At the end of the bridge stands a memorial archway of "the northernmost point". Residents of both countries can enter each other's territory for 5 kilometers without visa.There are bustling fairs in both places, attracting a large number of residents from Thailand and Myanmar to buy and sell here.
A jade trading center in northern Thailand.In addition, because it is located in the main traffic point of the northern border of Thailand, it is also the only way for tourists to go to the Golden Triangle, Qingsheng and other places.
Dachili Town
Daqili Town and Meisai Town of Myanmar are across the river and connected by a stone bridge. Residents of the two places can freely come and go to engage in border trade or sightseeing within a certain range.If foreign tourists want to go shopping and sightseeing in Tachilek Town, Myanmar, they need to submit valid passports, passport copies, three photos, and a few dollars to go through the formalities of "one-day transit tour" at the checkpoint on the Thai border or through the local travel agency.
Kunsha, the Golden Triangle drug lord
In addition, when entering the Myanmar border, a visa fee of $15 should be paid and a passport should be left (the passport should be returned with a receipt), and the scope of activities should be in Tachilek Town.If you are not interested in the Myanmar temples around Tachili Town, or you are more knowledgeable and go to Myanmar to buy jade, you may as well not go there.
Qingsheng County
It was established by the Lanatai Dynasty in 659 AD and was once an independent small country, which was invaded and ruled by Myanmar for 250 years.It was not until the founder of the current dynasty, King Zhaopaiye, defeated the Burmese army that he recaptured Qingsheng.
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There are still ruins of the old city wall and many historical sites, and there is a "Qingsheng Museum"National Museum Bangkok The branch of the exhibition shows various ancient Buddha statues in the Qing Dynasty and the customs, cultural relics and antiques of ethnic minorities in northern Thailand.
QingshengBecause it is located at the junction of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos, it used to be a distribution center of opium poppy. From here, all kinds of drugs in the Golden Triangle go south to Thailand, and then are transported to all parts of the world.Today, Qingsheng has become a famous tourist area, and local residents have given up cultivating opium poppy and switched to other crops.But the local residents still seem to have the tradition of taking drugs.
Golden Triangle
In a broad sense, the Golden Triangle refers to a three neglected area at the junction of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar;The narrow sense of the Golden Triangle refers toMekongThe delta area where Meisai River meets.As a symbol of the Golden Triangle in Thailand, the famous Golden Triangle Memorial Archway is located in the village of Sobruak near the ancient city of Qingsheng.It is located between Meisai Town and Qingsheng Town, 60km away from Meisai and 11km away from Qingsheng, facing Myanmar and Laos across the river.
Golden Triangle Scenery
It is located in a mountainous area, with unique landform, lush forests and beautiful scenery, as well as the isolation of Myanmar and Laos, which adds to the mystery of this place.The Golden Triangle region was once famous for its rich opium poppy, which accounted for 80% of the world's opium poppy. Today, the Golden Triangle region has become a famous tourist destination in northern Thailand, attracting countless tourists every year.The Golden Triangle Memorial Archway is made of marble, 4 meters high, and inscribed in Thai and English: "Golden Triangle".All aroundSouvenirsShop, jade jewelry shop and restaurant, etc., selling various specialty goods, such as Thai mountain ethnic costumes, Myanmar jewelry and jade, and Laos mountain treasures.The shop assistants usually wear ethnic costumes, showing the unique ethnic customs of northern Thailand, and the products are also very memorable.
Mae Salong
Mae Salong It is located on the Meisile Mountain, about 60 kilometers northwest of Chiang Rai, and about 1300 meters above sea level.The village is mainly populated by soldiers and their descendants of the former KMT 93rd Division who retreated here in 1949 and settled here with the approval of the Thai government, and some immigrants from southwest China.The villagers have retained the strong living habits and styles of the Chinese Han nationality and are the largest Chinese village in northern Thailand.
Chinese army living in a foreign land
Meisile Village is located in a high mountain with a mild and humid climate, surrounded by clouds all the year round, beautiful trees, beautiful flowers and beautiful scenery, so it is also called "Little Switzerland".After years of development, with relatively complete tourism and commercial facilities, Meisile Village has become another popular tourist destination in northern Thailand.
The history and characters of Meisile Village have a long history with the mainland of China and Taiwan. Regardless of politics, its historical track is undoubtedly a history of Chinese people's arduous struggle for survival and development.
