Golden Triangle (Ban Sop Ruak)
Confluence of the Mekong and Ruak rivers where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, with a giant Buddha, viewpoints and river cruises.
- Category
- Viewpoints
- Entrance fee
- Viewpoint free; Mekong longtail boat ~400-700 THB per boat; Hall of Opium museum separate
- Hours
- Daytime; river boats approx 08:00-17:00
- Best time
- Morning for a clearer river.
- Time needed
- 1-2 hours
About Golden Triangle (Ban Sop Ruak)
This is the spot where the Mekong and Ruak rivers meet and three countries, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, all touch. There's a giant Buddha, viewpoints, and short river cruises. Standing where three borders converge is a genuine classic-of-the-north moment.
That said, it's touristy and commercialised, all souvenir stalls and a casino sitting across the river. The tri-border view and a quick longtail boat ride are the good bits, the rest is padding.
One firm bit of advice, skip the exploitative long-neck village add-ons that get pushed here. Come in the morning for a clearer river, and treat it as a stop of an hour or two rather than a full day.
Highlights
- Where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet
- Confluence of the Mekong and Ruak rivers
- Giant Buddha and river viewpoints
- Short Mekong longtail boat rides
Tips
- Come in the morning for a clearer river
- Skip the exploitative long-neck village add-ons sold here
- Expect souvenir stalls, treat it as a short stop
- Combine it with nearby Chiang Saen
How to get there
~70 km north (~1.5 h). Car/tour, or songthaew to Chiang Saen then a local ride the last 9 km.