The above picture is at the entrance to the Emerald Triangle, the point where Thailand, Cambodia and Laos meet. According to a TAT source on February 15, 2002, it’s also the site of a proposed plan to build three golf courses, an amusement park, zoo, resorts, health centers, helipad, airport, conference center, botanical garden, and war museum. 2 hours drive from Ubon Ratchathani city center and barely accesible from the Laos and Cambodia sides, it’s an unlikely location for such a ridiculous project.
Defence Minister Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapa
As far back as 2002 there has been talk of developing the Emerald Triangle and in subsequent years there appears to be little official discussion of it. That’s why I was surprised to see the plan resurface this month, almost a decade later. On January 5-6, Defense Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapa met with Laos leaders to discuss border issues and this plan was on the agenda. What was discussed? I have no idea. I can’t find any report from the meetings. Has anyone else seen a report from this meeting?
There are many reasons not to do a project like this but let’s start with the most obvious. The Emerald Triangle is in the middle of nature-rich Phu Chong Na Yoi National Park which is home to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand, Huai Luang. According to my own survey on Google Earth using the military’s topographic maps, it’s likely home to many more natural wonders. In a February 15, 2002 article in The Nation, then Prime Minister Somsak said in response to opposition to the project, “It doesn’t even have any big trees there.” Really? No big trees so let’s build a theme park? It may not be a redwood forest but this park is certainly dense with trees. As recently as September 2011, illegal loggers have been operating in the area and eight policemen were implicated and transferred for their part in it.
The Emerald Triangle is in the middle of Phu Chong Na Yoi National Park which is highlighted in green above.
The other major problem for this project is landmines. The Emerald Triangle has a long history of fighting. From 1979-1989 there were several skirmishes between the Vietnamese and Khmer Rouge that spilled into Thailand. A New York Times article from May 30, 1989 estimated 100,000 landmines were seeded in this area alone. The Thailand Mine Action Center responsible for clearing mines is underfunded and was not able to make their goal of April 30, 2009 to have all mines cleared. However, as of 2009, only 27% of the mined areas of Ubon Ratchathani were yet to be cleared; a significant improvement but still a very dangerous area.
And finally, the problems that would come from 3 countries trying to determine who manages the area would be a nightmare in itself. If Thailand is serious about encouraging more tourism to the Emerald Triangle, they need to clear the mines, improve the park facilities, and create a larger trail system to access the rest of the park. Phu Chong Na Yoi National Park has 686 square kilometers of mountains and rivers just waiting to be explored by nature loving Thai and foreign tourists, but only a tiny area has been opened to the public. The government should immediately scrap the current development plan for the Emerald Triangle and come up with a better plan that preserves Thailand’s natural beauty.
Huai Luang Waterfall is in Phu Chong Na Yoi National Park about 12km from the Emerald Triangle.
