The Khun Sa Opium Warlord Museum at Thoed Thai

[DavidFL]

Copied From
(Prince of Death Road Trip-Khun Sa Memorial)


The Khun Sa Museum, located in Thoed Thai at Khun Sa's former headquarters, once served as his command centre.
The museum has suffered from neglect and lack of a budget for TLC in recent years, mainly due to the sensitive nature of honouring the once most wanted man in the world.
In 2024 a large tree collapsed onto the roof of the museum, prompting a need for action.
Reconstruction and repairs have been ongoing for several months and are nearing completion.
Exhibits within the museum delve into Shan culture and history, providing context to Khun Sa's complex legacy. Displays chronicle his rise as a militia leader, involvement in the opium trade, and his impact on the region.

Update 27 December 2024.
Great news.

A full rebuild of the museum is underway after a total collapse of the roof.
The final straw was when some branches from the tall trees standing alongside came down on the termite-ridden roof, causing it all to collapse.




What the new display will look like, I have no idea, but we keep our fingers crossed for something worthwhile, balanced, and informative.

No cost has been spared saving all the old nails for reuse.

Sadly, many of the photos and displays have been quite damaged.
The large image from John Gunston, that John, Dave Early and I presented is still there but not in good condition.

Perhaps we can get another one to present when the museum is finished.

 

[DavidFL]

Update 9 April 2025

TQ ADV for the images.

 

[DavidFL]

Update 28 October 2025.

I finally got back to TT to check out the museum reconstruction, and it is looking very neat & tidy, bar a need for some lighting & an effort to display the photos of Khun Sa.

There's a lovely old Shan lady "new" caretaker, who walked from Kentung in Myanmar to Thoed Thai, at the age of 17 decades ago, entering Thailand via Hua Mae Kham. She's spent all her life in TT, never goes anywhere but has one of her kids in Phitsanulok & one in Bangkok. She enjoys a chat and has some great stories to tell.

Don't forget to tip her well for opening the doors for you. She can't accept a mobile payment, so it's cash only, as I found out. A nice red note would be appropriate, as she doesn't have any other income.

Sadly framed photos are still not wall mounted, and I guess the contractors did there job & left.

The framed photo by Sir John Gunston that we presented to Jon & Kurdun by Khun Sa's statue in 2009, was also on the floor. I picked it up, dusted it down and gently placed back with the others.

Khun Sa's "boardroom" is still the same.

The Shan caretaker gal was a bit nervous when I asked her to pose by Khun Sa's statue.

But we hit it off outside for a selfie.