The Golden Triangle is a region in Southeast Asia that consists of an area on the border of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. It is one of the world's largest drug producers and traffickers and is known for its long history of drug trafficking. The following is a detailed description of the Golden Triangle area:
Location and environment
Located on the border of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand, the Golden Triangle is mainly formed by mountains and rivers. This area covers an area of about 350,000 square kilometers and has an estimated population of 20,000,000. It is bordered by the Indochina Mountains to the west, the Annam Mountains to the east, the Mekong River to the south, and the Yunnan Province of China to the north.
The climate in the Golden Triangle region is hot and humid, with abundant rainfall in summer and dry and little rain in winter. The mountainous areas here are dense, with most areas reaching altitudes of more than 1,000 meters. Transportation is inconvenient, and many places can only be crossed on foot or on horseback, which also facilitates drug production and trafficking.
Drug production and trafficking
The Golden Triangle is known for the production and trafficking of drugs, especially opium, heroin and methamphetamine (ice). The drug trade here is a vast area and its influence extends to the rest of the world.
It is estimated that the Golden Triangle region accounts for more than 90 per cent of global opium production. Drug traffickers here transport drugs mainly through the Mekong, land and air. There are many channels and methods of drug circulation, and it is difficult to crack down.
Behind the drug trafficking are powerful drug cartels and gangs that are able not only to influence local governments and police departments, but also to counter the international community's crackdown. In addition, drug trafficking brought serious social problems, such as crime, poverty and AIDS.
The response of the international community
The international community has been trying to combat drug trafficking and production in the Golden Triangle and promote the development of the region. These measures include:
- Cooperation on border security: Governments strengthen cooperation on border patrols and combating drug trafficking.
- Provision of development assistance: International organizations and governments provide assistance to help local populations.