The Golden Triangle arguably got it’s name from Khun Sa the infamous Shan freedom fighter or opium warlord who reigned in the 60s & 70s.
At his peak he had a trained militia of 10,000–20,000 men & dominated the regions drug trade; ending up with a million dollar reward for his capture.
In 67 he lost the big opium war battle in Laos, and eventually set up HQs at Thoed Thai in Thailand. Forced out of Thoed Thai in 82 he popped up again a few years later with another camp on Doi Larng out of Mae Ai, but was forced out of there by the Wa & set up for the last time at Homong, north of Rak Thai.
In 96 he surrendered to the Burmese & retired to Yangon to die there 2007.
His camp & old HQs at Thoed Thai is now a museum & can be visited quite easily.
The camp at Doi Larng is now also accessible & you can see the old bunkers if you want to take a look. Not many people know about the Doi Larng camp on the Burma border, but access is not difficult & not restricted, once you know where to go.
Check it out for a day trip from Fang or Tha Ton.
See GTR for more info
https://www.thegtrider.com/tour-options/chiang-rai/thoed-thai/khun-sa-opium-warlord
https://www.gt-rider.com/se-asia-motorcycling/threads/fossicking-around-the-top-north.15162/
https://www.gt-rider.com/se-asia-motorcycling/threads/on-the-trail-of-a-mule-a-drug-run-through-the-golden-triangle.7864/
https://www.gt-rider.com/se-asia-motorcycling/threads/prince-of-death-road-trip-khun-sa-memorial.2683/
https://www.gt-rider.com/se-asia-motorcycling/threads/caution-very-steep-dangerous-road-collapse-restricted-area-dangerous-road.7646/page-2#post-53816
https://www.gt-rider.com/se-asia-motorcycling/threads/fang-back-a-fang-meander.11071/#post-55679
https://www.gt-rider.com/se-asia-motorcycling/threads/the-doi-laem-loop.13393/#post-90679
