Thailand’s Golden Triangle

5The Golden Buddha

As part of the drive to increase tourism to the area, a new monument to the Golden Triangle was completed in 2006. At the north-eastern point of Thailand just before the Nam Ruak joins the Mekong is a newglittering and rather garish construction featuring a massive cast Golden Buddha looking benignly over the crowds of tourists. The monument is shaped like a boat with the prow pointing south down the river and features several smaller icons including the Goddess of mercy and a plump laughing Buddha ensconced in the stern.

This monument is now the focus of the area and most businesses have moved here as it is next to the main coach park. It's very photogenic and for the Thais it combines the joys of a pleasure outing with the rewards of merit-making.