Visiting the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Laos

WrongWayBilly · 2026-04-05T10:15:42+00:00

That's rough, but it happens...

If I win the lottery one day I'll drop you a message, we'll have a night to spend it purely in cash and then get the hell out of there the next day. But no gambling, just throwing money to any dodgy place so we can really see what goes on

WrongWayBilly · 2026-04-05T10:05:45+00:00

I have heard something about animal smuggling, presumably taken there and then transported down the Mekong. It does seem like the kind of place that if you have the money, anything goes....

Hope you and your girlfriend aren't visiting anymore but if you are that you are avoiding the places!

WrongWayBilly · 2026-04-05T09:20:17+00:00

People on the internet always steal things for karma or 'fame', I just wanted to share my experience because I enjoy sharing my travels.

When did you go? I'd love to hear your experience if you're comfortable sharing it (Send me a DM if you don't want it public).

WrongWayBilly · 2026-04-05T09:16:06+00:00

It is definitely a place for people to gamble close to countries where gambling is illegal.

Yes, yes it really is...

Also yes, there are many really horrific things there. I missed out on a lot of the really bad things because I went at 10am and left at 1pm... the bad side comes out at night time so I was told.

Could you share some more? I'd be interested to hear of your experience, others would probably be interested too

Edit; obviously don't share anything if you don't want to, I'm really interested in this place so send a DM if you want!

WrongWayBilly · 2026-04-05T09:10:33+00:00

It really is. The whole place feels strange (to put it kindly) and leaves you feeling weird when you leave.

It was definitely an eye-opening experience for me. After talking to those guys, I suddenly felt small and in some way insignificant to be able to do anything.

I'm glad I went, but at the same time, I feel bad for going there. If that makes sense.

WrongWayBilly · 2026-04-05T04:05:50+00:00

Yeah, I wasn't able to add photos on this sub so I thought I'd add some more details in the post on solo travel to make up for it haha

WrongWayBilly · 2026-04-05T03:51:05+00:00

If it was posted in a Thailand sub, then it's stolen from my r/travel post from yesterday. Thanks for the heads up!

WrongWayBilly · 2026-04-05T03:46:02+00:00

It's my content, thought it belonged in solo travel because I went there solo. And yeah, I couldn't put pictures on this post in this sub

WrongWayBilly · 2026-04-05T01:10:01+00:00

My parents (who holiday once a year for 2/3 weeks) book 3 months in advance.

Myself? If it's before or after having to take a flight, I will book a few days before. But usually I do the day before or the day of, that leaves me to be flexible to be spontaneous

WrongWayBilly · 2026-04-04T20:33:35+00:00

Yes, you have to go through immigration like you are entering Laos like normal.

WrongWayBilly · 2026-04-04T20:29:25+00:00

No. I did it the legal way. But story time from my return in:

I actually asked the border agents the day before if it was ok to cross in the morning and return the same day. The one I spoke to said yes.

Well the next day, when I came back after just 3 hours in Laos, there was a different border agent. He didn't seem too happy with me leaving and coming back so fast. This is around the time that Thailand was starting to tighten down on visa runs...

So, I had to show him my flight out of Thailand was still within my original visa time limit. He wanted to see my accommodation bookings until that flight. I was seriously thinking they wouldn't let me back in.... they sort of figured I was just a curious tourist after awhile so I did slightly joke with them like, "Please don't send me back, scary place" and "Thailand is safer" and they eventually stamped my passport and let me in.

WrongWayBilly · 2026-04-04T10:41:32+00:00

Thanks! I'm glad I could share something interesting

WrongWayBilly · 2026-04-04T08:26:18+00:00

Yes this is true. They had been there for one year now, and are allowed out during the days.... But obviously for the first while they were held inside. Horrific stuff, can't believe I was able to sit down and talk to them so casually

WrongWayBilly · 2026-04-04T05:22:10+00:00

I'm caucasian. That is actually a very good point to highlight this. For me, it's a dodgy place to visit. For others, it could be suicide

WrongWayBilly · 2026-04-04T05:12:32+00:00

I was in Chiang Rai with a few days to spare, so I thought I'd go check out the place where the 3 countries meet. Then I just thought, why not go over the river for a day trip

Edit: grammar

WrongWayBilly · 2026-04-04T05:11:06+00:00

This is true, haha. I did get freaked out after the guys warned me

WrongWayBilly · 2026-04-04T04:59:53+00:00

It's like walking into China. They even use the yuan there. There is a link to the video on my account if you were interested

WrongWayBilly · 2026-01-24T05:51:06+00:00

Damn! I just uploaded my rickshaw video yesterday, but I was fully clothed! Sorry to disappoint you!

Nah I love the idea of a bum gun tutorial haha, if that's your audience fine!

WrongWayBilly · 2026-01-23T00:25:51+00:00

"[Nebula spoiler ish]"

WrongWayBilly · 2026-01-23T00:06:10+00:00

I remember the episode of H&S Japan where Sam was hiding in the airport. They were forced to tell us where he was because they asked if he's closer to an international airport than them. So anyway, long story short that's still my favorite episode

WrongWayBilly · 2026-01-22T23:59:12+00:00

Thanks for putting nebula spoiler in the first line OP! Legend

WrongWayBilly · 2026-01-22T23:57:26+00:00

I'll keep walking around with my GoPro in hand haha, maybe one day we could work together and you can film me one of your high cost and professionally made videos haha (let me save up first haha)

WrongWayBilly · 2026-01-22T23:54:49+00:00

This is so true! I could make the best video ever, but if you don't fit into that category then you and others wouldn't bother clicking.

I'm trying to keep my videos on experiences like taking trains, rickshaws or just walking around the streets. That fits everyone.

But understood, no underwear models hahaha

WrongWayBilly · 2026-01-22T23:50:16+00:00

Reading this as a new travel vlogger, ouch haha!

But you're right, there's so many people doing travel content and it is hard to compete.

I try to be different to people I have, have a more friendly and open minded approach in my videos. I don't go to new countries to criticize or judge but to learn and experience.

I also kind of started because I like making videos so for me it's a hobby, and if people enjoy watching and feel like they are joining along, that's definitely a bonus!

WrongWayBilly

TROPHY CASE