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The Laos–Thailand border is the international border between the territory of Laos and Thailand. The border is 1,845 km (1,146 mi) in length, over half of which follows the Mekong River , and runs from the tripoint with Myanmar in the north to tripoint with Cambodia in the south.
- Overview
- Physical features
- Physiography
Mekong River, river that is the longest river in Southeast Asia, the 7th longest in Asia, and the 12th longest in the world. It has a length of about 2,700 miles (4,350 km). Rising in southeastern Qinghai province, China, it flows through the eastern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region and Yunnan province, after which it forms part of the internati...
The Mekong River drains more than 313,000 square miles (810,000 square km) of land, stretching from the Plateau of Tibet to the South China Sea. Among Asian rivers, only the Yangtze and Ganges have larger minimum flows.
The contrast between the physical conditions that prevail above and below the Mekong’s descent from the Yunnan highlands divide it into two major parts. The upper Mekong flows 1,215 miles (1,955 km) through a long, narrow valley comprising roughly one-fourth of the total area, cutting through the mountains and plateaus of southwestern China. The lower Mekong, below the point where it forms the border between Myanmar and Laos, is a stream 1,485 miles (2,390 km) in length draining the Khorat Plateau of northeastern Thailand, the western slopes of the Annamese Cordillera in Laos and Vietnam, and most of Cambodia, before reaching the sea through the distributary channels of its delta in southern Vietnam.
In its upper reaches, the Mekong rises in the Tibetan Plateau between the Salween and Yangtze rivers; the streambed has cut deeply into the rugged landscape through which it flows. Along its course between Myanmar and Laos, the Mekong drains about 8,000 square miles (21,000 square km) of territory in Myanmar, comprising rough and relatively inaccessible terrain. In its more gentle lower stretches, where for a considerable distance it constitutes the boundary between Laos and Thailand, the Mekong inspires both conflict and cooperation among Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.
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The sources of the Mekong, including its principal headstream, the Za Qu River, rise at an elevation of more than 16,000 feet (4,900 metres) on the north slope of the Tanggula Mountains in Qinghai province. They flow southeast through the Qamdo (Chamdo) region of Tibet, where the Za Qu joins other headstreams to form the main stream, called the Lancang in Chinese. It descends south across the highlands of Yunnan, through which it carves a deep valley, to a point south of Jinghong, where it briefly marks the border between Myanmar and China. The river then bends southwest; over a reach of more than 125 miles (200 km) it forms the Myanmarese-Laotian border. Although two great roads cross it—the caravan route from the southeast to Lhasa and the road from Kunming to Myanmar—much of the river valley in the highlands of Tibet and Yunnan is remote and sparsely populated.
Below Myanmar, the river basin may be divided into six major sections on the basis of landforms, vegetation, and soils: the northern highlands, Khorat Plateau, eastern highlands, southern lowlands, southern highlands, and delta. Most of the vegetation in the lower basin is of the tropical broad-leaved variety, although the occurrence of individual species varies with latitude and topography.
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The northern highlands have highly folded ranges that reach elevations of about 9,000 feet (2,700 metres) above sea level, many with steep slopes. As far south as Vientiane, these dissected uplands (i.e., cut by erosion into hills and valleys) are covered with dense deciduous forest that has deteriorated as a result of frequent cutting and burning for shifting cultivation. The Mekong’s important tributaries in this region include the Tha, the Ou, and the Ngum rivers, all draining northern Laos.
To the south of the east-west course of the river below Vientiane lies the Khorat Plateau, which embraces almost all of the Thai portion of the basin as well as the lower parts of the Mekong’s Laotian tributaries. This is an area of gently rolling hills set amid relatively flat alluvial plains. Soils and deciduous vegetation on the hills are thin, and much of the original forest has been replaced by grassland as a result of grazing and repeated burning. The Songkhram River drains the northern part of the plateau and enters the Mekong above Tha Uthen in Thailand. The Mun River—one of the Mekong’s most important tributaries—drains the majority of the plateau and joins the Mekong at Ban Dan, Thailand.
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- So, What Is a Slow Boat? A slow boat is a very long, narrow boat that floats right on the surface of the water. The driver sits up in the front and the engine is in the back.
- Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong. Our day started very early on a Sunday morning. We hired a driver to take us the two hours northeast from Chiang Rai, Thailand to Chiang Khong on the Thai-Laos border.
- A Visit to a Laos Village. At noon, we made a short stop at a local village. Normally, we dislike visiting villages. I feel a little voyeuristic and intrusive.
- Afternoon on the Slow Boat. We rode for approximately four more hours. As the day stretched on, the cloud cover became thicker, causing the temperatures to drop.
Once more, it defines the Laos-Thailand border for some 850 km (530 mi) as it flows first east, passing the capital of Laos, Vientiane, then turns south. A second time, the river leaves the border and flows east into Laos soon passing the city of Pakse .
Straddling the Mekong River between Vientiane, Laos and Nong Khai, Thailand, the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge is 1.2km long. Locals and savvy backpackers alike frequently cross the bridge. It is a straightforward and budget-friendly operation (around US$25) with a bevy of options, but the most comfortable is a night train.
Sep 3, 2023 · The slow boat is the name given to the water taxi which services transport between Thailand and Laos via the mighty Mekong. The Mekong acts as the spine of Southeast Asia and doubles up as one of the world’s most famous rivers. It connects Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and China.
Feb 15, 2020 · CAMBODIA. Phnom. Penh. Gulf of. Thailand. 200 miles. By The New York Times. The lower Mekong, which makes its way through five countries, was one of the world’s few remaining free rivers. But a...
