Photo. © Travel Explorations.
Photo. Showering in the waterfalls. © Travel Explorations.
Photo. Showering in the waterfalls. © Travel Explorations.
After a while we left the paradise. Soon we could see how the people grew Opium. For many of the farmers, Opium is there way to survive in these tough environments.
Opium – gold, money, medicine or poison?
Blessing or burden? Opium is one of the world’s oldest medicines and has been cultivated for at least 5000 years as an effective painkiller. Today opium and heroin are associated with addiction and crime. Opium has been cultivated on a large scale in the Golden Triangle to finance wars, such as ethnic conflicts in Burma.
Photo. Tribesmen smoke Opium in a hut.
This has resulted in severe social disruption and the destruction of local traditions. For us it was interesting to take a look in to this bizarre culture, but I can ensure you it was with mixed feelings. From our point of view it didn’t look like a paradise seeing some people having too much of it.
Photo. A girl smokes Opium in a hut.
Offered opium
People who smoked opium looked toothless and tiny skinned. In one village a man took a big inhale from the opium pipe. The man stepped later out on the doorstep; he looked so happy that I for a while thought he would soar up to the sky. But it was just for a while. I could see that drugs don’t work. It only makes you worse.
The smoker was soon back in a transition that likely reminded him about the grey year days. His faces turned grey and he looked like a zombie. So it was our turn. Someone offered us to try too. Should we try smoking for the first time? None of us were smokers. What happened next (read the continuing story in part 3).
This story continues in Part 3: read and see more photos from the disreputable Golden Triangle!
Stein Morten Lund, 20 November 2001
Additional information and links
Etiquette: according to the web site Chiangmai-Chiangrai
(http://welcome-to.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/hiltribe.htm):
• It is kind, but not necessary; to give gifts to people you visit. Some suggestions or alternatives to sweets and cigarettes are balloons and other inexpensive toys, cosmetics, medical supplies antiseptic, mild painkillers such as aspirin, food, fruit, clothing, sewing supplies and foreign coins.
• Follow the advice of your guide; don't be afraid to ask questions. Respect the fact that you are a guest visiting the homes and villages of these people. By showing them that you foreigners are genuinely interested in them; your friendliness, sincerity and goodwill are the most precious gifts you can offer.
For general news, arrangements, tribes, cultures, customs etc. in the Golden Triangle and the rest of Thailand:
http://welcome-to.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/index.html
Read more about Thailand on our web site: Thai-boxers - the modern gladiators
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