Golden Triangle

Sop Ruak, north-west of Chiang Saen and about 11 km (7 mi.) further up the Mekong, is the official viewpoint at the center of the Golden Triangle, looking out over where the Mae Sai River joins the Mekong, and the meeting place of the borders of the three countries that form the triangle, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand and Laos.

The roadside here is full of souvenir stalls, some of them selling pretty pieces from neighboring Burma. The trickle of border traffic between Thailand and Laos - officially for nationals only - can be a fascinating spectacle.