The Golden Triangle, where Burma, Laos and Thailand meet on the Mekong River, has long been known for its history of opium smuggling and lawlessness. The region is now a magnet for tourists, but an attack last year on two Chinese boats loaded with millions of dollars of methamphetamines has raised concerns of a resurgence of drug violence. VOA's Daniel Schearf took these photographs while reporting from the region April 21-23, 2012.
Trying to Keep the Golden Triangle's Drug Violence in the Past
The Golden Triangle, where 3 Mekong countries meet, points to China. (VOA - D. Schearf)
Early morning in the Golden Triangle. (VOA - D. Schearf)
A boat on the Mekong River passing the Chinese-run Kings Roman Casino in the Golden Triangle. (VOA - D. Schearf)
A gold Buddha statue on the Thai side of the Golden Triangle. (VOA - D. Schearf)
Tourists arrive at the Golden Triangle on buses. (VOA - D. Schearf)
Chinese boats attacked by gunmen in October, moored at Chiang Saen Port, Thailand. (VOA - D. Schearf)
Chinese boats attacked by gunmen in October, moored at Chiang Saen Port, Thailand. (VOA - D. Schearf)
Chinese boats attacked by gunmen in October, moored at Chiang Saen Port, Thailand. (VOA - D. Schearf)
Chinese boats attacked by gunmen in October, moored at Chiang Saen Port, Thailand. (VOA - D. Schearf)
A Lao boatman, Porn, was robbed by pirates in March on the way to China. (VOA - D. Schearf)
A Lao boatman, Porn, was robbed by pirates in March on the way to China. (VOA - D. Schearf)
A patrol boat officer escorts Chinese delegation on the Mekong River. (VOA - D. Schearf)
A Lao military boat moored at a special economic zone on the Mekong River. (VOA - D. Schearf)
Thai police lined up at Chiang Saen Port to welcome Chinese delegation. (VOA - D. Schearf)