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Memorial of the Former Chinese Nationalist Soldiers
Doi Mae Salong is located in Mae Salong Nok Subdistrict, Mae Fah Luang District, Chiang Rai Province. It is home to Santikhiri Village, formerly known as Ban Mae Salong Nok, a settlement of exiled soldiers from the 93rd Division of the Chinese Nationalist Army (KMT). Two battalions entered Thailand: the 3rd Battalion settled in Fang District, Chiang Mai Province, while the 5th Battalion established itself in Ban Mae Salong Nok in 1961. Initially, they served as a buffer force against minority groups, making Doi Mae Salong a forbidden and mysterious land plagued by drug trade and armed conflict.
The Thai government sought to address these issues by bringing the troops under the supervision of the Supreme Command Headquarters. In 1972, the Cabinet officially recognized the Chinese Nationalist soldiers, granting them the right to reside in Thailand. This marked the end of opium trading, the disarmament of the troops, and their transition to agriculture. Initiatives such as tea cultivation and three-needle pine tree planting were introduced to replace deforested areas.
The community was later renamed Santikhiri Village, and residents received Thai citizenship in 1978. Since then, Doi Mae Salong has remained peaceful and has become one of Chiang Rai’s renowned tourist destinations. It is famous for its high-quality tea plantations, considered among the best in Thailand. Additionally, the area is known for its cherry blossoms, or Prunus cerasoides (Thai Sakura), which bloom from early January to late March, attracting visitors from all over.
The Village of Former 93rd Division Chinese Nationalist Soldiers
Doi Mae Salong is a community established by former soldiers of the 93rd Division of the Chinese Nationalist Army (KMT) under General Chiang Kai-shek. These troops fought in southern China during World War II. However, following the Chinese Communist Revolution, led by Mao Zedong, the Nationalist Party (KMT) retreated to Taiwan, leaving the 93rd Division stranded as an exiled force.
Under increasing pressure, these troops retreated into Myanmar but were met with resistance from the Burmese government, leading to multiple armed conflicts. Eventually, they were forced to withdraw to the Doi Tung mountain range, along the Thai border. In 1953, Myanmar formally lodged a complaint with the United Nations (UN), which decided that these displaced troops should be relocated to Taiwan. However, around 30,000 soldiers under General Li Wenhuan and General Duan Xiwen sought asylum in Thailand, fearing an uncertain future in Taiwan, which was merely a small island.
The Thai government granted them asylum, assigning General Li Wenhuan’s troops to Tham Ngob, Fang District, Chiang Mai, while General Duan Xiwen’s 15,000 troops were stationed at Doi Mae Salong in 1961. These forces were initially used as a buffer against minority groups, making Doi Mae Salong a mysterious, restricted area plagued by drug trafficking and armed conflict.
The Thai authorities took steps to resolve the issue by placing these troops under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Command Headquarters. In 1972, the Thai Cabinet officially recognized the Chinese Nationalist soldiers and granted them permanent residency in Thailand. This marked the end of opium trading, the disarmament of the soldiers, and their transition to agriculture. Under the leadership of General Kriangsak Chamanan, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, tea plantations and three-needle pine forests were introduced to rehabilitate the land.
The community was later renamed Santikhiri Village, and in 1978, the Thai government issued citizenship cards to its residents. Since then, Doi Mae Salong has remained peaceful and has flourished as a significant tourist destination, known for its high-quality tea plantations and stunning natural landscapes.
