Tha-Ton-Chiang-Rai-Thailand-4362

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Taken on: 17th October, 2011. Copyright: All Rights Reserved - See krismcconkey's page of Flickr

Read more about Tha Ton

Nestled in the green hills and fertile valleys of Chiang Mai province's northern reaches, Tha Ton is an idyllic riverside getaway that is closer and more convenient than most might think. Though it has long been recognised as a prime location for tourism, the local way of life is still somehow untainted by the frequent visitors, both foreign and domestic.

Its location near the Golden Triangle, combined with its proximity to the Burmese border (which lies just a couple of kilometres away) means that Tha Ton and the surrounding area have seen their fair share of turmoil and instability over the last century or two. The border was in flux as recently as the early 20th century, and the presence of the Kuomintang (KMT) and other opium producers made the area off limits to most outsiders for many years.

Only in recent decades have these elements been eradicated, and the fields of contraband ... Read our complete Tha Ton travel guide

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