Explore the Golden Triangle in Northern Thailand – Why Does the Reclining Buddha Appear Pierced by Arrows?

Photos and text byGuo Renrong

What is the Golden Triangle in Northern Thailand?! Let travel vlogger Guo Renrong tell you~ In northern Thailand, there’s a place known as the Golden Triangle, where a river separates three countries—as shown in the picture below: Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand.


The green grassy area in the photo below is Myanmar.

 
The area with boats docked and buildings is Laos.


The Golden Triangle is located within Chiang Rai Province in northern Thailand. According to middle school geography textbooks, the Golden Triangle refers to the border region of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. Due to its complex terrain and isolated access, it was once occupied by retreating Kuomintang troops from Yunnan and Myanmar. It was also a major hub for opium poppy cultivation and drug production. On rainy days, visiting the Golden Triangle might even give you a faint sense of the legendary aura of the three great drug lords of history—Khun Sa, Lo Hsing-han, and Peng Jiasheng—who once thrived here.



Why does the Reclining Buddha here appear pierced by arrows?!


Most famous attractions in Thailand have Buddha statues~ because it's a predominantly Buddhist country ^^


There’s a staircase behind the large Buddha—visitors can take a boat from here to cross the river to Laos.

This is the most northern statue of the elephant-headed god (Ganesha) in Thailand.




Since it’s rare to come all the way here, be sure to take a photo with the big Buddha~ Following local customs, putting your palms together shows more sincerity.

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