Detour

EXTREME GOLF For geometrically inspired adventures of a different hue, trek to the latest area to capture the imagination of Thailand's tourism wizards: not the Golden but the freshly hatched Emerald Triangle. A quick flight to Ubon Ratchathani province in the country's far east will bring you within a few hours' drive of the hills where Laos and Cambodia abut the Land of Smiles. At the moment there isn't much to see except trees. But the Tourism Authority of Thailand envisions a 600-hectare-plus zone spanning the three countries, featuring resort towns, handicrafts, botanical gardens, a war museum, a Khmer cultural center...