One thing that the Golden Triangle region is most famous (or infamous for) is the production of opium. In an effort to help cut down on the this practice and all of the illicit activities that go with it, Princess Mother Srinagarindra (the mother of Bhumipol Adulyadej, the current King of Thailand) dedicated the last years of her life to helping the Doi Tung region clean up its act. She was instrumental in many programs designed to stop opium production and eventually built a house there.
The place is called the Doi Tung Royal Villa and it is still used by the Royal Family today as a retreat. The Princess Mother had spent some time in Switzerland and Villa was inspired by mountain homes in both Europe and Thailand.
Photos were forbidden inside the Villa. It was nice, but kind of subdued and not as majestic as one would think a Royal home would be. Visitors to the Villa were not allowed to wear shorts there, so we were required to put on the baggy jeans before entering.
Adjacent to the Villa, the Princess Mother also built the Mae Fah Luang Garden, a shrine to beautiful landscaping techniques and a peaceful place for a stroll.
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