Chiang Rai

Figure in Cabbages & Condoms

The Hilltribe Museum established by the PDA(Population and Rural Development Association) contains a chilling history of the opium trade which flourished in the border areas of Thailand, Laos and Burma until recently.  It makes clear the roles played by the British, French and USA in developing the market, protecting and facilitating the trade.  Particularly concerning is the role of the CIA at the time of the conflict in Vietnam and Laos when, through Air America, they actually assisted the local warlords in transporting the opium and heroin out of the area.

On the same site is the interestingly named Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant, profits from which support the work of the PDA, which has had a significant impact on population control reducing the average number of children in a Thai family from seven to 2. It has some unusually decorated statues.

Wat Rong Khun

A local bus took us 15km toWat Rong Khun, the White Temple.  It is an intriguing modern complex in the making -very shiny like royal icing. The local famous artist is working, rather like Michael Angelo did on the Sistine Chapel, and it is not expected to be complete until 2070! The main temple is highly ornate but with some disturbing representations of lost souls around it.  Inside there are stunning murals with very modern themes reflection the battle of good and evil. There are spacecraft, the Twin Towers, “Transformers”, warplanes and George W and Osama Bin Ladin to list but a few!



Public toilets at Wat Rong Khun



The complex also contains what must be one of the the most ornate golden public toilets in the world stunning.

Oub Khum Museum

The Oub Kham Museum houses a collection of artefacts from the Lanna region of North Thailand, NE Burma, NW Laos, southern China and NW Vietnam. The collection has been put together by a private individual to preserve the art and culture of the region.  The quality of the exhibits, their preservation and their display rivals and excels the national museums of both Laos and Myanmar.  It is absolutely stunning. The Baan SoonTree Hotel just out of town where we stayed is well recommended.