The Golden Triangle Rider

[SilverhawkUSA]

<b>Chiang Mai –Thoed Thai
November 7,2007
Route: 107-1089-3051

David Unkovich, Honda Africa Twin 750
David Early, Suzuki DR650

Photos by:GT_Rider / Silver Hawk

</b>



Khun Sa died in Burma on 26 October 2007. If you don’t know who Khun Sa is, then you are missing out on many of the legends and mystique of traveling the Golden Triangle. To many he was known as a freedom fighter trying to establish a home state for the Shan, fighting for freedom from the Burmese. For others he was called the Prince of Death or the Prince of Darkness. A ruthless war lord who controlled the opium production in Northern Thailand and the Shan and Wa area’s of Burma. He had a standing army of 20,000 men and a one million dollar price on his head from the U.S. Government/D.E.A. An internet search will bring up many fascinating stories.


He was cremated in Rangoon but the Thai village of Thoed Thai scheduled a memorial service for him on Nov 8 and 9. Thoed Thai was one of his former strongholds and his residence for many years.



<i>Kung Sa country</i>


Davidfl and I had a leisurely ride up Rte 107 to Thatong and then cut over to Doi Mae Salong. Thoed Thai is about a 40 minute ride north towards the Burmese border.




We had made reservations at the Rimtaan guest house which was located on the river, in the center of town and great clean bungalows for 300baht. There are also some rooms with two double beds for 400baht.




We arrived on the evening of the 7th and went up to Kung Sa’s residence where they were making preparations for the following days. This also is the location of the Khun Sa Museum which is open to the public and contains a small amount of memorabilia. I am told that the Thai government would not allow anything more elaborate.




We were greeted by mostly smiling faces and for the rest of the weekend we were treated like VIP’s. As it turned out we were the only westerners present. We were told a couple others stopped by on the 8th but didn’t return.



Even an Elvis impersonator.




On the 8th the local residents came up in small numbers and everyone paid their respects. We had met a fine gentleman who was the principal of the Junior High School and one of the organizers. He made sure we well taken care of and comfortable. He insisted that we be the first to sign the provided guest books and write a message to Khun Sa. Anyone that knows my past profession must laugh at the irony that I am the first to sign Khun Sa’s memorial ledger.










The women made sure that we were well fed with food provided to all guests. If you know how any Thai festivity usually goes, we found it rather strange how this was kept as a very somber and respectful gathering and NO alcohol of any type was on the premises. The drink of choice was hot tea.





They were very well organized and even sold VCD’s of Khun Sa’s life and history and a slide presentation ran throughout the day. 100’s of photo were set up in the normally vacant museum areas.




Although we tried to look inconspicuous (as if we could) we had as many photographers taking photos of us as they did of the ceremony. Many people spoke at the ceremony and translations to Thai was provided by the school girls. One can only guess at the background of some of the guests. We were asked to deliver a eulogy in English but we both passed on that one!



<i>Owner of Rimtaan GH, “Johnnie” speaks several languages.</i>

<b>It was also explained to us that being Buddhist, the people must remember the good someone had done. They explained that Khun Sa had built the first paved roads into the area. He built the first school and a new well equipped hospital. He built modern infrastructure to handle water supply and electricity. Thoed Thai would not exist as it does today without him. Freedom Fighter or Prince of Darkness? Definitely depends on how you look at it.</b>






We awoke early each day in time to make the morning market which seemed to finish about 7:30AM. I have no idea what time they started. It was pretty chilly and the fog settled in overnight and just started to clear as the market was underway.






We found a lady that made great Lao style coffee which I love and we stopped there both mornings.




A young Tai Lai girl took an interest in me and was QUITE friendly. She followed me all around the market and said she had never seen a “farang” before (I’ve heard that one before). I had to tell her that there could not be a wedding until they got ADSL in her village.






Davidfl and I spent the rest of the day exploring the roads leading north to the Myranmar border. Mostly paved, and the sections that weren’t, were currently under construction. It was beautiful scenery without a cloud in the sky.



Possibly not the best choice of spelling.






It was also good to see Davidfl handling the AT on these roads again with out any trouble.







David is not shy about right out with the people and taking “in your face photos”, but he gets some great shots sometimes.


I give him full credit for this one.



But I get lucky sometimes.


Roadside pork sellers.




All in all, a very good road trip and whatever your feelings towards Khun Sa, it is a part history and we can say we were part of it. That’s my kind of road trip!

[Ian Bungy]

Well Done Dave. Very informative and either Great Planning or a Stroke of Luck to be Present for the Khun Sa Memorial Service. As you say regardless of our Views it is all etched in History as one Day we all will be! Top Stuff, Great Scenery and a Great Ride by the looks.

[Franz - Eastern Seaboard]

David, amazing pictures !!!! Great report too !!!! Oh, how I would love to make a tour with you, but until now I'm still limited to drive to work with both bikes and to go to Pattaya to do some shopping.
Just now I am in the process of buying a small condo at Riverside, still have to renovate it but hopefully everything is done before end of the year. Mid-December I will send my XJ750Seca per truck to CNX as I haven't got the time to ride it up myself. But plan to stay in CNX then from 23rd Dec 08 until 4th or 5th Jan 08. I'm looking forward to some excellent drinks&food and some good rides with you and other northeners.....cheers, Franz

[Davidfl]

Indeed the weather & scenery was & is perfect on this trip. Absolutely stunning scenery.

Silverhawk's also probably right about in your face photos sometimes, but it's a lot of fun if approached in the right manner. I love this one snapped in the morning market.


And the one below of the lovely Shan ladies enjoying their evening meal.

There was absolutely no resentment about us taking photos, & we were asked to sit down & enjoy the meal with them.

BELOW
This old guy, no doubt one of Khun Sa's mates, delivering his eulogy was incredible. He could hardly walk & had to be assisted onto the stage. Yet he spoke without any prepared speech, in one the sharpest high pitched voices I have ever heard. We did not know what he was saying, but there was no doubt he knew his subject & commanded tremendous respect & power.

[Davidfl]

Still catching up, sorry.

The two side trips we did up to the Burma border were N-w of Thoed Thai.

1. Hua Mae Kham, a huge mixed hill tribe village & as far out as you can get in that extreme N-W "ear" that sticks out. For the record the asphalt / concrete runs out at Lao Liu village, after that it's steep winding dirt, ok in the dry but not something I’d enjoy in the wet.

2. Phayaprai. A short 4 kms side road off R4032, the Huay Mo road.
This side trip is good for Akha villages & if you're ever in the area check it out.

The steep swooping asphalt road here is unreal!!






We also saw a nice looking trail for Big ‘n Tall & the dirt gang to explore. This one is east of R4032. Check out the pic above.

There’s also an amazing looking trail that goes east from the army checkpoint at Pha Ji La. It looks like it ends up right atop a really steep mountain, & deserves exploration too!
We also got a tip in Phayaprai, that there was a dirt loop link up to Pang Ma Han, on the Hua Mae Kham road. So there’s yet another one to be checked out.

If you’re ever in the Doi Mae Salong area & don’t want to stop in DMS because it is too early, then head for Thoed Thai & Khun Sa’s old base.
Stay at the Rim Taan, one of the “hidden gem” guesthouses tucked away in North Thailand. Eat at the Ting Ting restaurant, right next door. The food is superb & amazingingly it is one of the cleanest restaurants I have ever been in up-country.
Plus the Thai Yai / Shan people of TT are super friendly.

Thoed Thai is the place to go in the heart of Golden Triangle.


Check out the Khun Sa photo collection in his old residence & you will see snaps of American senators / politicians, Bo Gritz, plus numerous journos, who all visitd & consulted the once drug king of the Golden Triangle.

[SilverhawkUSA]

Trying to get this post back in order after the "move". Sorry if you get a double post.
_________________
Dave Early

As I grow older I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do. ~Andrew Carnegie

[daewoo]

Great report Silverhawk...

Love the photos,
Love the story,
Love the background,
Love the gray area created by a drug lord creating a community...

Well done,

Cheers,
Daewoo
_________________
Nothing screams poor workmanship like creases in the duct tape...

[Rhodie]

Some years ago I had the pleasure of meeting the "General" as he liked to be called.


It had taken a lot of time to set up.
His supporters outside Burma clung faithfully to the fiction that he was fighting for a free Shan State.
Therefore they facilitated my trip. His men in the field had other ideas.



Through dense jungle, and up mountainous mountain paths that were his opium trail.



Finally, after two sweaty, leach ridden days I reached the first outpost of his headquarters in Homong.



My reception was distinctly chilly.
The General was allegedly away fighting the Wa in a poppy turf war.
"Great I'm game - let's go."
"Not possible."

So in the week I was kept waiting, I got to to know the modest town of Homong well.



Misty mornings - everybody had to be up at 6am and in bed by 10pm.



There was no signs of riches or largess.
The General's quarters at the other end of town by a lake, was out of bounds.
One day a Landcruiser turned up with a General from a neighbouring State
dropping by to play golf with his nibs on his 9-hole jungle golf course!

Meanwhile I was entertained by the Dancing Troupe


Meditated at the temple


Visited the school

No where was there any sign of resources commensurate to the many millions that were allegedly being made.
In the local hospital the Doctor was making his own still to compensate for his miserly monthly stipend of $1.50 per month.

Impressed by the troops undergoing training

Each of these kids[ the youngest were around 10 years old] had to carve his own wooden rifle for training.

There were some real ones for range work


But training was taken seriously and well organised


Those who sampled their own product and had gained a habit - were given the "cold turkey" treatment under armed guard.

This was considered an enlightened approach.
In previous times, they were just shot.
You don't steal the company's merchandise!

When I met the General he was still offering to end poppy cultivation in return for outside [read US] support & recognition.
He claimed that he only taxed production and was not in the refining business.
In BKK the DEA were not impressed,
"You can always tell when he is lying - his lips move".

Branding was important the General's own brand No 4
guaranteed premium quality.

The little that BKK's finest found were very slim pickings
that had "fallen off the back of a very big lorry".


Not long after I met him, the General made firm his already burgeoning business relationship with the Rangoon regime,
and retired to the Burmese capital under the protection of the very people he had sworn to fight against.

Leaving the Shan people in the lurch again.
His recent passing left many Shan nationalists with bittersweet memories of what could & maybe should of been.
_________________
The Dogs bark, but the Caravan moves on ...
Persian Proverb

[Ian Bungy]

Wow!!! Well Done Rhodie, Great Pictures and Information, a real Life Experience, thanks for Sharing it.
_________________
Cheers Ian
www.chiangmai-xcentre.com

[Joko]

What an eye opening report! Well done gentlemen! This kind of road trip is up my street...But more often than not, I merely get to read the reports.

Thanks for sharing!

joko
_________________
A ride a day keeps the Doctor away

[helbob]

Thanks!
Good informations and pictures!

[SilverhawkUSA]

Great follow up Rhodie. As we know there are many sides to this story. Thanks for the insight and photos.
_________________
Dave Early

As I grow older I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do. ~Andrew Carnegie

[burnjr]

good report bro..many thanks for the information..live going on

[Peter Hooper]

A most interesting report DFL, S’H and Rhodie, great photos too.
I agree with you that we are not in a position to judge his life or motives and I don’t blame the local people for trying to gain some capital from his presence there. Even though he doesn’t seem to have funnelled any of his ill gotten gains into the local community, maybe now they can gain something from his infamy by becoming a tourist attraction. I would certainly be interested in going there and the story makes it all the more enticing. A bit like Pol Pot’s memorial just South of here. He was evil but the locals may now gain something from his infamy.
_________________
"The Journey is the Destination"

[SilverhawkUSA]

[Davidfl]

Rhodie
More brilliant photos & report from you.

Now just back in Thoed Thai & Thai New Year, & had a great time. Some pix & a brief report are to follow.

Got a message from the Rim Taan ghouse on Thoed Thai for the 2 Japanese riders who went there (claiming they were friends of David) - you left your book(s?) behind & they are holding them for you. If they are of importance leave a message here & I can get them to you.
_________________
Davidfl
Keep The Power On

[carson]

The pictures, stories, I have been spell bound reading every word!

Knowing Silverhawks’ past, what a twist in his life it must have been for him to be there.

What a great post!
_________________
If it is a bad idea back home it is probably a bad idea here.

[cdrw]

And this viewer, too, thanks you for the fine pix and informative dialog.

"He built the first school and a new well equipped hospital. He built modern infrastructure to handle water supply and electricity. Thoed Thai would not exist as it does today without him"

No different than the old mafiosa druglords. Support and provide for the local people and in turn they will help protect you
_________________
Pattaya local

[Rhodie]

Interesting Postscript

Mark Rossi pointed out that the packaging as shown above appears in
the new film American Gangster.
The film is also accurate in saying that they were dealing with the KMT.
KS initially operated within the KMT's sphere of influence until he had
enough money & men to go it alone.
Small but significant points that are rarely retained on celluloid.
Good movie by the way. [/u]
_________________
The Dogs bark, but the Caravan moves on ...
Persian Proverb

[Davidfl]