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Those wishing to expand their travel and cultural horizons beyond Bangkok and the beach resorts of Thailand would do well to consider a side trip to the so-called "Golden Triangle" area near Chiang Rai in northern Thailand.

The Golden Triangle is the area surrounding the point where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar (Burma) share a common border. At this location Laos lies across the wide Mekong from Thailand while Mynmar (Burma) appears to be only a stone's throw away across a tributary. There are a number of interesting things to see and do in Thailand in the vicinity of the Golden Triangle.

Tribal settlements are one major draw. Visitors may take tours to villages populated by Yao, Akha and Lahu tribes. It is possible to be shown the interiors of dwellings in order to understand what daily life is like there. Decades ago Karen tribal people migrated to this area from Myanmar, and nowadays there are also villages where Padaung (a subgroup of the Karen) "long-necked" women can also be viewed for a fee. These women have had their collarbones depressed since youth by wearing an ever-increasing number of brass collar rings.

A mere 35 km (22 miles) from the Golden Triangle there is a thriving trade between Thailand and its neighbor, Myanmar, via the Friendship Bridge connecting Mae Sai, Thailand and Tachileik, Myanmar. For a fee of ten U. S. dollars, tourists can obtain a visa on-the-spot to enter northern Myanmar for up to two weeks. This visa will allow a pleasant few hours in Myanmar to shop for imported Chinese manufactured goods which stream through the land crossing between Myanmar and the Chinese province of Yunnan only 167 km (104 miles) by road to the north of Tachileik.

Other sightseeing opportunities in the Golden Triangle area include visits to the interesting Hall of Opium Museum, situated along the Mekong River, and to the ruins of Chiang Saen, the ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom. One never-to-be-forgotten tour is an elephant-back jungle trek. But even those who are not so adventurous would enjoy a visit to an elephant training camp such as the non-profit facility hosted by the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort. British national John Roberts's Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (www.helpingelephants.org), with over 30 rescued elephants, is based there.