The House of Opium museum is a privately operated exhibition space tucked away near the Thai-Myanmar border in the small town of Sop Ruak. Opened in 1989, the museum was created not only to preserve antique opium related memorabilia but also to provide a historical lens through which to understand the complex and often tragic legacy of the opium trade in Southeast Asia.

The Golden Triangle is located in the far northeastern area of Thailand, the northwestern part of Laos and the eastern region of Myanmar. This triangular area spans roughly 365,000 square kilometres and earnt its name in reference to the region's association with the illicit opium trade. The convergence of the three borders is situated along the banks of the Mekong River, which runs through much of Southeast Asia.