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Gay Travel Thailand: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle
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Where Thailand, Laos and Burma meetExplore the lovely Lanna city of Chiang Rai, then journey to Thailand's Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar converge. The region is legendary for its natural beauty, hill tribe people, and opium production. You will see spectacular vistas, meet fascinating people and sample a culture distinctly different from the rest of Thailand along the banks of the Mekong River. You can even venture across the border into Burma if you like. You may extend your stay in Chiang Rai, the Golden Triangle or both if you like. The itinerary below can be adjusted to accommodate your flight times.
On arrival in Chiang Rai you will enjoy the lush green carpet of mountain forests, emerald valleys, and electric green rice fields. Natural beauty and clean air invigorate the senses. Wat Rongkhun, on the outskirts of Chiang Rai, is a stunning temple which is both modern and reflects Lanna style ( Northern Thai Style) in pure white with mirror accents. If you are lucky you might meet Chalermchai Kositpipat, the artist who created it. Next, you will visit the Wat Pra Keaw, the former home of the Emerald Buddha now on display at the Grand palace in Bangkok. Later you will take a long tail boat on the Mae Kok river to Karieng Ruammit Village, where you will see a many different hill tribe people, and have the opportunity to ride an elephant around the village. This evening, check Chiang Rai’s Night bazaar, with a large outdoor food court and live entertainment. Our guide will be happy to introduce you to the local gay hang-outs nearby.
This morning you will visit stunning Royal Villa of the Princess Mother (Mother of current King), Doi Tung, which was her home until her death. The villa has some of the loveliest gardens in the Kingdom. After lunch you drive to the border town of Mea Sai, where you may cross over into Myanmar (bring your passport!) to visit the Tachileik Market, where you can buy cheap goods from China as well as gems, jade and lacquer from Burma. You will also see the famous Golden Triangle, at the confluence of the Mekong and the Nam Ruak rivers. From the banks on the Thai side of the Mekong you can see Laos, Myanmar. Next we visit the nearby Opium Museum, which give a history of the drug and the social consequences of its use.
Today we will go to charming town of Chiang Saen, a former 14th century capital of the Kindom of Lanna, where boats from China dock to unload goods. This quiet little town has grown up around the ancient city walls and red brick ruins, many in excellent shape. The ruins of Wat Pa Sak are in an impressive park setting of huge trees and moats. The chedi (stupa) at Wat Athi Ton Kaew has broken open to reveal a smaller, older stupa inside with its white stucco decoration preserved. This afternoon, explore the border town near Chiang Khong pier once of the most popular border crossings to Laos. After that we head back to Chiang Rai Airport.
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