1^ST April 2006

Having decided to have a part-time home in THAILAND, it was a good opportunity to discover the Northern Highlands of this ancient Kingdom in more depth with our French friends, George and Claude, with whom we had visited Vietnam in 2004.

CHIANGMAI used to be the ancient capital of Thailand, and it shows with its prosperous temples and buildings in the city centre, fed by a circular canal system around the city’s ramparts.  The sprawling suburbs are the evidence of how busy this city is, and the surrounding countryside the reason why so many people love to visit this area, so close to the cool mountains and lush farmlands of this rapidly developing country.

These cockroaches must be a tasty dish for some!  Maybe if you have your eyes closed it would taste like a crunchy prawn?   The Prime Minister Thaksin’s Party flyers were everywhere, the election was next day, which in fact was null and void as the opposition did not turn up!   Most people in the countryside voted for him as he has given grants to many farmers and business start up funds which has boosted their earning potential.  It’s the intellectuals in the country who cannot abide his having pocketed (or distributed amongst his family and close allies) the funds from the sale price of the country’s largest telecom business.

Mae Salong is in the N.E. Highlands, cool enough to grow Oulong tea in its many varieties.  The Chinese have been growing and exporting this crop over two generations.  Rising early to do some tea tasting with all the ceremonial proceedings was a perfect way to start the day.

These two temples overlook the village of Mae Salong and the tea plantations.

Buddha’s statue overlooking the Mekong River, and Naga serpent adorning temple steps

The Golden triangle, where Thailand meets Laos and Myanmar (Burma) has a natural barrier of high mountainous ranges, impossible to police before Thailand had roads built and better infrastructure to promote the agricultural revolution it has had over the past decade.

This fertile land used to be planted with opium poppies, but now there is hardly any sign of this cultivation.  Instead it is chrysanthemums and citrus trees which seem to be the cash crop, interspersed with coffee and other fruit and nut trees.

To come across this wonderful Doi Thon orchid garden high up on one of the mountain tops was almost like walking in dreamland.  The Queen of Thailand decided to promote tourism in this dangerous area by planting acres of woodland with these exotic flowers, and thereby give jobs to the minority tribal people who enjoy tending these plants and gardens.

This young girl comes from Phuket and was visiting her Mum.  Striking up in conversation with her, neighbours all came along to show us their handiwork making the AKA tribal costume.

Notice photo of the King in the background, that’s standard for any home in Thailand, even bamboo ones.

This old lady is selling me a necklace, notice her teeth stained red from chewing betel nuts!

Border guards live in these camps.  They get around by horse to the difficult areas that need policing against illegal immigrants and opium growing

More borders guards pose for us, not a bad place for them to have lunch?

The burnt hillsides are evidence of the undergrowth which is burnt off this time of year, not so good for the young fir trees, but it does no harm to the teak trees, the main cash crop in the rain forest area lower down the slopes.

Rice Paddies in the valleys, and onions drying in these huge sheds waft their aroma through the air.

Topiary gracing the entrance to the agricultural research station.  The lovely little girl is adorning the Elephant training camp