Asia's Golden Triangle - Behind the scenes of the opium trade

THE REAL WORLD OF
ASIA'S GOLDEN TRIANGLE
OPIUM HARVEST
In Southeast Asia there's an area known as the Golden Triangle,
where most of the opium in this part of the world is grown,
harvested and smuggled out every year. Some years ago,
documentary filmmaker Rick Howard filmed this harvest and what
was called an actual opium war that year. Then he followed a
smugglers rout out, getting his valuable movie film safely from
the mountains and opium fields of the Golden Triangle through
Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the ocean
and finally home to Santa Monica, California, USA.

[@Wilted_Brainz]

This style of documentaries are almost extinct. Independent film makers who fund their own projects are far and few. Nowadays, documentaries are sponsored by groups and corporations to push a narrative, not to show honest culture and life. TY for the video.

[@maryjoymary9433]

Totally totally disagree.. there's guys like bald and bankrupt Harold Boulder who just take their cell phone or their GoPro cameras whatever you call them and do the same thing as guys doing.. there's tons of them the internet is saturated with this crap now.. the only thing about this is it's an old one down on a camera and he's gone back and done the talking later

[@jp__878]

@@maryjoymary9433isn’t bald and bankrupt a pèdo?

[@letstacoboutvallarta1498]

You don't know me but I knew your cousin Carl. I am honestly your biggest fan. Been watching these films on repeat for 25 years

[@ashjamz1995]

wish they made documentaries like this now very calming to watch

[@viktoriagrafinvonherzenste1107]

Right you are! The new style is nowhere near as fascinating or informative.

[@naymyo5503]

Yes, very relaxing indeed.

[@stary23A]

Thank you Rick Howard for a fantastic documentary , some times I felt I was along side you, I could feel the air , smell the river and the valleys, I easily take few breaks watching a good movie but not even a one while watching this-narration by you was very captivating thank you for sharing such wonderful experience and piece of our beautiful plant.,

[@Loukgob]

Living in Bangkok I love to see these old pictures. Especially to see Chiang Mai while bicycle rikshaws where still the main transport. As someone said, things have really changed here. I was probably not even alive when this movie was made (or perhaps a toddler), I came here first time in 2006. And my has things changed even in those years. While it has not been as obvious in Thailand as in Laos and Cambodia (and now recently Burma). I remember I entered Laos and instantly came to a dirt road, that's long gone. And the old road from Poipet to Siem Reap, that would turn into a mud bath if driving in the monsoon? -Long gone. And the hippie backpackers haven in Phnom Penh along the Boeng Kak lake, the kind of place where laws did not apply? -Gone together with the whole lake. I am not saying development is bad, I realize that there are many other expats here who have lived here way longer than me, and have seen things change way more than I have. but still amazing how fast things changes here. And I really wonder what AEC is gonna bring to the region, along with some other question marks I rather not speak about. Living in the past is a waste of time, as well as spending your whole day thinking about tomorrow. Still I do love to see how things changes. It's like stirring at an analog clock, you can see the seconds ticking by, even the minutes, but it's hard to see the hour pointer moving. All I really wanted to say is absolutely great documentary.

[@vtecpreludevtec]

Jens Roth hey bro,the place the narrator called a Chinese refugee camp is Mae Salong in Chiang Rai province.The shin sane guesthouse they stayed at is still there.In 89 u could still smoke opium in tribal villages but growing had all but been eradicated in Thailand.The area is now a major route for yaa baa,meth,coming from Myanmar to Thailand on those same donkey trains.A major crop substitution program was enacted on the Thai side,Doi Mae Salong arabica coffee.

[@AFaceintheCrowd01]

I was a traveler to BK until 1990. My visits were quiet and discrete, and I always enjoyed it enormously. My favorite small hotel, off Sukhumvit 8 in a small courtyard -- the Crown -- an extraordinarily atmospheric remnant from the Vietnam R&R and hippie trail days that I remember in b&w, rather than color -- has now been demolished. With the arrival of the internet and cheap travel, and the never-ending stream of young, horny, drunk, loud and dumb college-age boys from the States, the city changed rapidly for the worse. The tourists today are loud, noisy, disrespectful and stupid. The music is loud, noisy, disrespectful and stupid. The drugs are loud, noisy, disrespectful and stupid. I'm just sorry to see it, that's all.

[@tonysyevens1594]

How is life there? What is the food like

[@andrewstones2921]

There are still parts of Laos, Cambodia and particularly Burma that are very basic and unchanged for decades.. I travelled Thailand and Cambodia in 2002 and even then it was totally different to today, but there are magical places around the north and the golden triangle still that are super interesting. Cambodia used to be a challenge to get around by car because of rivers without bridges and poor roads.

[@ryanchase2873]

Is there any opium around these days?

[@gigit9809]

wow! what an adventure. I strayed into the Golden Triangle and now in Chiang Khong which makes this film very compelling and relevant. Thank you for sharing and inspiring !!!

[@jonoddur6400]

Best heroin in the fucking world comes from there, remember so vividly when i was in Burma in '99. Was there for three weeks, seeing that beautiful country and shooting up constantly for the time i was there. Great memories. That China white of the old days, nothing can compare.

[@peaBaustralia86]

Great film. Daring trip. Amazing to see the older Thailand. Been back and forwards to Thailand since 2004. And it’s changed so much. But seeing it back then was amazing via Rick Howard.

[@susanmazzella1]

Rick, Enchanting documentary. Loved being taken back a few decades where exotic travel took guts and resourcefulness. Thankyou!

[@VanDahh]

Kickass Narrative, what a great work. This is Art.

[@needmoreramsay]

2nd time watching this episode and just as fascinated as I was the first time ! Thank you Mr. Howard. They don't make documentaries like this anymore !

[@mikestirewalt5193]

Boy, this is a treasure. No ads to interrupt this journey back in time. It's the best travellogue I can remember, certainly the best one on KZbin. Hard to imagine there's only 311 comments and 223K views while crap on TikTok, etc. get millions. Thanks to Rick Howard for making it available. Some months later . . . just as enjoyable. Classic travel log.

[@delishamikayla3325]

😊

[@letstacoboutvallarta1498]

I use to have 6 of his films on VHS

[@cucumber623]

wow man just wow, was absolutly blown away with the pictures taken, did yourself proud, greetings from scotland

[@dondobbs9302]

I watched this while living up here in northern Thailand. Still too dangerous to cross the border into Myanmar like that today.There's still Opium up there,the big thing is Ya-Ba (meth tablets) from Shaan State now. So great to see Chiang Mai how it was back then. I don't know if one can still take Khlongs as transportation,for a long distance up North West,it sounds like fun.

[@3373-g8z]

22:25--- that place and some Opium is all I'll EVER need!

[@mrdavman13]

Ima move to Thailand and teach English as a teacher.

[@letstacoboutvallarta1498]

A true pioneer and artist in this industry

[@markcraven8386]

The boatride near the end made me think about The Man with the Golden Gun. LOL Great documentry.

[@matthiasvolgger84]

Thank you for this incredible images! I wish it was still possible to go an adventure like this one

[@1fanger888]

These films are great! Reminds me very much of watching, "Wild Kingdom" on TV so many years ago. You feel like you are actually there. Thanks!

[@peterhawryluk8430]

This was a great film. My hats off to Rick Howard

[@JasonHenson1975]

Thank you for posting this. This is the best journalism I have seen on this topic. Also your narration is excellent.

[@maxigo4537]

I was really enjoyed the way you recorded the whole tour and your speeches as well. It brings back a lot of my memories, especially the song. Awesome! Well done, bro! ( by the way this is my first comment on KZbin. You deserve it!)

[@kelkilkat]

Truly a trip very few have made, or returned from...very interesting and beautiful

[@schnarre0]

...The days when documentary films not only informed, but entertained as well....miss those times!

[@jonathanlund6708]

This was just as good as any movie

[@HairyFish45]

A pipe a day keeps the pain away.

[@donaldsmith3926]

Nick Tosches' "The Last Opium Den" was around here.

[@vantastroganoff4370]

Cost me 3 million in 4 f years

[@jungxehuin9404]

Opium sweet opium

[@ripppking]

go to rehab yall... atleast stick to hash

[@David-og7di]

@@vantastroganoff4370 3 million baht ? kip? surely not dollars

[@will_der_dude]

EXCELLENT! THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE.

[@robertward3753]

Really interesting could of watched it for hours.

[@WhuDhat]

If I walked all the way up that mountain to see an opium poppy field you darn well know that I'm making it well worth the trip before I head back down haha

[@benderbendingrofriguez3300]

so...how old id this video actually ?

[@nanangsugianto2839]

The background of sound in journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is sound from tradisional music from Java or Bali or Lombok island

[@WaseemKhsaad]

amazing documentary, only if newer documentaries were made this way

[@sugatrans1260]

Pm

[@tommyconancoates7097]

Beautiful!!! Pretty sure every canister was filled with heroin lol. I'm thinking this was filmed mid 80s? I'm sure that it probably is completely different today, that time pictured here though seems so classic, a world still living much like the past but right on the verge of major change.

[@milehhphoeva]

Great vid

[@cozyrules1457]

This is a real trip man I hate needles don't understand it but great video

[@MrRondeezzee]

Smoke weed ok but needles nope

[@jq4136]

I put the heroin up my bum . Good hi

[@mwaroop]

It’s crazy how fast Bangkok has developed

[@johntrampe]

I don't know which year this was filmed. I went through Laos and Golden triangle about 20 years ago. The Hill tribes in Laos but also in Thailand do still live in a simular way but without visable opium growing these days. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@richardedward5423]

The little brown bottle the driver was drinking was original red bull

[@andrewstones2921]

Lipo, it’s still sold in small brown bottles today and the bus drivers still drive all night on it…

[@sonicwolves4962]

"Interesting drivers"! To say the least indeed! I think I'd prefer to sit in the back of the bus too and be blissfully unaware of the traffic hahaha..

[@concretestars]

Wow I'm a numbskull I didn't even think about the risk of the film exposing until he mentioned it, a tragedy if he was forced to open those tins and ruin a priceless story. I'm glad he made it so we could see it all these years later. So tranquil and beautiful.

[@TheIcoolable]

Wow this was amazing

[@iqcreative6115]

This is epic! Love your video docu

[@huwthomas9954]

This Trumps any vice documentary with their cringe worthy reporters

[@bensonabuan5865]

amazing and very interesting documentary

[@GreenMntMoto]

Funny to see the film and box - almost forgot bout that

[@pacpanda1]

great doc.. well enjoyed it.

[@user-sh2mk8ew4c]

That was a very good show/documentary. It was awesome. I watch a lot of documentaries and this is 1 of the best. But also I love the subject of illicit drugs. So I was able to learn about that. I found it interesting that on your 2nd trip back that other foreign men where in the same boat but did not want there photo taken. So they were there to purchase opium. The mountain girls are cuter. Very good. Thank You.

[@keithwilson9378]

real good video i would love to go there

[@Sawyer1984]

Wow this is a beautiful documentary.

[@sewrgator8694]

documentary in a classic style like an art form

[@chrishensley5222]

GREAT VIDEO....

[@Sketch1994]

Mesmerizing...

[@treklaneful]

Fantastic upload great watch thank you

[@IanPaulSaligumba]

What year was this filmed?

[@sunnybeaches1331]

I really hope you are well. I hope you are making more videos. This time, NOW, needs to documented. The older ways of life in the world may be gone soon. Others in the far future will want to see this.

[@jerrylowe5469]

Hi Rick Howard. I most enjoyed the video you did on Hong Kong and Southern China with your buddy Bill. Most of all I understand everything you said unlike other documentaries with some British Accent, maybe because I am 3rd generation Chinese in Canada. I visited most places you show except the small fishing villages around Hong Kong. I anticipate to see a new Video you may do on the new Silicon Valley of China , Thank you for Sharing. The thing that amazed me the most about you is your finishing comments on How LaoZhi or Confucius explanation of God.. Thank you.,/Jerry Lowe/ Vancouver, B.C.

[@ashjamz1995]

might aswell smuggle opium along with the films

[@PolitischTourette]

LOL and I bet this documentary was only a front for some big Ass Opium smuggling. With best Regards from Vito Genovese LOL

[@franksmith9149]

Wow real documentary...can u imagine journal these day 2019 making 1 like these carrying video card/drug/poppie hidden all the way now day it easy with lil mirco sd nd still wont b this good...great job to who flim real adventure

[@ziontkiii56]

Great documentary, awesome journey, good job

[@zigzagbigbag]

That drink the bus driver is drinking to stay awake is Red Bull.

[@vtecpreludevtec]

zigzagbigbag the original,an Austrian bought the right to make the fizzy one we have in the west

[@normanschlongdongovic4124]

Redbull + a bit of drug

[@ajskyhasnolimits7465]

Amazing video ☺

[@mikejohn4214]

Yeah this is how the documentaries were made back in the 80s you can tell the high quality of equipment they were using back then.

[@ChasingDragons420]

I wish the opium trade was still going. Always wanted to try that stuff

[@joeypopehkny01]

Thank you for that very interesting documentary I'm very glad you got today with your life thank God for bottles of alcohol LOL but seriously it was very interesting to watch thank you very much mr. Howard

[@danielb27]

Hey Rick amazing job with this video. I

[@MrNeumann100]

Great documentary!!!!

[@brandontaylor2169]

John tao said it best. Unbelievable footage.

[@nativenuggets76]

This kind of reminds me of the life aquatic with Steve zissou documentaries.

[@brandonlamontcooper8141]

It's time to end the war on opium and start working with the plant to evolve the genetics over time and cultivate in america.. agriculture community..

[@HaiNguyen-ii6bx]

Awesome video, thanks.

[@เกิดมาเพื่ออกหัก-ท8ฝ]

I love you thailand

[@andresmarin8273]

WHERE IS RICK HOWARD NOW? THANKS FOR A GREAT DOCUMENTARY.

[@randomvids_112]

Any info on which year this documentary is from?

[@jsychw9545]

Great Video

[@md-ln4fp]

Excellence. Himalaya Blue Poppy.

[@christopherdale5243]

Yes it is 👌

[@frankli7848]

great video

[@whattowatchrightnow]

love this

[@jasonmacdonald78]

GREAT FILM

[@b-nanaman7986]

What year was this made?

[@birdgincrit]

What's the "stimulant" in those bottles they're drinking?

[@raven12387]

What you know today as red bull. Austrian bought the recipe from a Thai farmer years ago.

[@Mrnut69]

Man this video had to be created by some Devine fate. An incredible glimpse into a culture and life that people not of those regions will never have a chance to experience. Incredible, thabkyou for sharing to us

[@delanorestaurant9387]

That vicious guard dog tho 😂😂

[@moogybannahilstopaflingon6803]

Great doco....

[@skittlesurf2]

shout out to bobby frank brown on the soundtrack

[@vvsbussin]

i lived in Chiangmai love to see cnx how it was back in the day

[@vvsbussin]

what year is this flimed 80-90s ?

[@fridgemagnet9831]

It's amazing something so beautiful can cause so much misery in the world.

[@ၸွမ်းတူၺ်းႁွႆးတိၼ်ၶဝ်]

I want to hear Khun Sa's voice a lot.

[@willthomsen7569]

What a life this guy carved out for himself wow

[@macmac7686]

great film

[@alockworkorange7296]

Hell of a film Rick is there anywhere to read rons side

[@simonainscough619]

those brown bottles are the original red bull

[@MoustacheCloud]

I'm very curious what the actual stimulant in it is. Maybe meth?

[@yorktattoostudio]

What year's is this? The pier to opium farm is where in Thailand? Thank

[@cedricsmith8188]

Amazing

[@santosroydriguez1732]

What is the title of the old Filipino song at the ending of 53 min?

[@amirasyraf9808]

anak - freddie aguilar

[@reillyyugehands481]

Great documentary but I don’t understand how anyone survived without face masks.

[@bartacomuskidd775]

22:25 keep clicking that over and over

[@youflaw3285]

I really think he had Heroine in his case of films also!!!!!

[@kimalong3498]

Thanks for showing me a real life NEMO🤗🤗🤗🥰🥰🥰🥰💥

[@normanschlongdongovic4124]

28:15 that’s not a jungle song but he is singing something about you as a foreigner