Mekong River

  • Crime NewsThai border police seize meth and Happy Water worth millions

    Thai border police seize meth and Happy Water worth millions

    The Border Patrol Police Company 237 in Tha Uthen district, Nakhon Phanom province, yesterday seized 240,000 methamphetamine tablets and Happy Water. The drugs were smuggled across the Mekong River and intended for distribution within the region. On Tuesday, January 7, anti-narcotics officers from Border Patrol Police Company 237 received a tip-off from a local informant about a large quantity of…

  • Environment NewsMekong River dams threaten Thailand’s environment and economy, warns NHRC

    Mekong River dams threaten Thailand’s environment and economy, warns NHRC

    Transboundary hydropower dam projects along the Mekong River could jeopardise Thailand’s environment, economy, and community welfare, according to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on October 3, the NHRC highlighted its concerns about four hydropower dam projects: Ban Koum Dam, Sanakham Dam, Phou Ngoy Dam, and Pak Chom Dam, all situated…

  • Thailand NewsNaga fireballs light up Mekong River in Nong Khai spectacle

    Naga fireballs light up Mekong River in Nong Khai spectacle

    Fireballs over the Mekong River thrilled spectators yesterday, as the first pair of Naga fireballs lit up the sky in Nong Khai province at 6.30pm. The much-anticipated phenomenon drew crowds to Ban Tan Chum in the Rattanawapi district. Visitors gathered in large numbers at Ban Tan Chum, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Naga fireballs, and were not disappointed. The…

  • Eastern Thailand NewsUbon Ratchathani prepares for Mekong River flood threat

    Ubon Ratchathani prepares for Mekong River flood threat

    Ubon Ratchathani’s governor has instructed all relevant departments to prepare for the imminent overflow of the Mekong River and its tributaries, expected to inundate five districts in four days. Today, September 16, Suphasit Kochareonyot, Ubon Ratchathani governor, along with disaster prevention and mitigation officials, inspected the Khong Chiam district, where the Mekong River converges with the Mun River. The Mekong…

  • Thailand NewsMekong your way to better flood control: Experts call for joint effort

    Mekong your way to better flood control: Experts call for joint effort

    The International Rivers Network issued a stark warning, calling on the government to urgently team up with neighbouring nations to manage the Mekong River more effectively. The aim? To cut economic losses and save lives when future floods hit. Pianporn Deetes, the Campaign Director for the Southeast Asia Programme at the International Rivers Network, revealed that recent devastating floods in…

  • Thailand NewsMekong floods: Nong Khai residents urged to move belongings

    Mekong floods: Nong Khai residents urged to move belongings

    Residents of Nong Khai have been advised to move their belongings to higher ground as the Mekong River’s water level is expected to peak by tomorrow due to ongoing flooding. The flood situation in Nong Khai province remains concerning as the Mekong River continues to rise steadily. The water level at the Nong Khai Hydrology Station was recorded at 13.46…

  • Thailand News3 Thais survive, 2 still missing after boat capsizes in Mekong River

    3 Thais survive, 2 still missing after boat capsizes in Mekong River

    A boat carrying five Thai men capsized in the Mekong River in the northern province of Chiang Rai yesterday, leaving two people missing. The other three victims survived and were rescued from the river by a local rescue team. Chiang Khong District Chief Udom Pokpongborwonkun coordinated with the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), Siam Ruam Jai Rescue Foundation, and Saeng Dhammastan…

  • Crime NewsPolice dismantle illegal Internet tower near King’s Romans Casino

    Police dismantle illegal Internet tower near King’s Romans Casino

    Police and telecommunication officials dismantled a large signal tower used for illegal Internet transmission across the Mekong River to the King’s Romans area. The operation, conducted yesterday, September 3, involved Cyber Police Chief Worawat Watnakornbancha, along with officers from the 4th Cyber Police Division and regional telecommunication officials, acting on a search warrant issued by the Chiang Rai Provincial Court…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok to Beijing train: Mekong River railway bridge opens

    Bangkok to Beijing train: Mekong River railway bridge opens

    Travellers are one step closer to an epic train journey from Bangkok to Beijing as a new railway bridge over the Mekong River has opened, linking Thailand and Laos by rail for the first time. This milestone, completed last month, leaves just a few dozen miles of a trackless gap before the route can finally reach China. With the launch…

  • Thailand NewsMekong River floods roads in Nakhon Phanom, warnings issued

    Mekong River floods roads in Nakhon Phanom, warnings issued

    The Mekong River has overflowed, flooding roads by half a metre, prompting warnings for four districts to take caution. Heavy rains have been relentless recently. Residents have been fishing amidst the rising waters. Floodwaters from the Mekong River submerged Sawan Chai Khong Road in Nakhon Phanom province, as reported yesterday. The road, constructed 30 to 40 metres from the riverbank,…

  • NewsAncient treasure chest unearthed in Laos along Mekong River

    Ancient treasure chest unearthed in Laos along Mekong River

    A treasure chest was unearthed along the banks of the Mekong River in Bokeo Province, Laos, revealing a trove of Buddha statues, gemstones, coloured stones, metal artefacts, and other valuable items. The discovery follows earlier findings of Buddha statues and ancient artefacts in the same area, believed to be the site of an old temple and city from the fabled…

  • Thailand NewsTragedy in Mekong River as older brother drowns saving sibling

    Tragedy in Mekong River as older brother drowns saving sibling

    Two siblings had a tragic encounter while playing in the Mekong River, leading to a heartbreaking outcome as the older brother tragically lost his life while trying to save his drowning younger brother. His body was later discovered floating on Thailand’s Nong Khai side of the river, prompting authorities to coordinate with family in Laos to identify the victim. At…

  • Thailand NewsThai government alert over Mekong River sulphuric acid spill from Laos

    Thai government alert over Mekong River sulphuric acid spill from Laos

    Thailand’s government is on high alert following a sulphuric acid spill in the Mekong River on the Lao border. The contamination, which took place in Laos’s Luang Prabang town, occurred when a lorry carrying over 30 tonnes of the acid toppled over, causing the hazardous substance to leak into the Nam Khan River, which flows into the Mekong. Residents in…

  • Thailand NewsDeputy foreign minister backs Mekong region trade

    Deputy foreign minister backs Mekong region trade

    To revitalise cross-border commerce, the Thailand deputy foreign minister made a pivotal visit to Chiang Saen Port on Monday, accentuating its pivotal role in the lower Mekong region. With cross-border trade in Chiang Rai soaring to an estimated 100 billion baht last year, according to the Foreign Ministry, the port’s strategic location where the Kok and Mekong Rivers converge offers…

  • Thailand NewsMekong River’s diverse fish populations face extinction threat

    Mekong River’s diverse fish populations face extinction threat

    The Mekong River, a lifeline stretching almost 5,000 kilometres from the Tibetan Plateau to the South China Sea, is under grave threat. A recent report reveals that unsustainable development is severely endangering the river’s health and diverse fish populations. Consequently, one-fifth of the fish species in this Southeast Asian lifeline are on the brink of extinction. The Mekong River plays…

  • Thailand NewsKhon Kaen police bust major motorcycle theft ring

    Khon Kaen police bust major motorcycle theft ring

    Law enforcement in Khon Kaen province, Thailand, successfully dismantled a motorcycle theft ring operated by a husband and wife team. The pair, along with their accomplices, have been stealing motorcycles and smuggling them across the Mekong River for sale in neighbouring countries, causing severe distress to locals who have lost more than 30 vehicles. Police Major General Montree Teskan, the…

  • GuidesRivers of life: Exploring the cultural significance

    Rivers of life: Exploring the cultural significance

    Thailand’s rivers are more than just bodies of water; they’re the lifeblood of the nation. For centuries, these waterways have shaped Thai culture, influencing daily life, traditions, and even the country’s cuisine. Imagine a place where rivers are at the heart of every celebration, where communities gather by the water for the most significant events of the year. How water…

  • Thailand NewsLocal fishermen hooked over Vietnam warplane wreckage found in Mekong

    Local fishermen hooked over Vietnam warplane wreckage found in Mekong

    Thai and Lao men discovered the wreckage of a Vietnam warplane while fishing in the Mekong River within the Isaan province of Nong Khai. In light of safety concerns, locals have been banned from accessing the site, given the potential presence of explosives within the wreckage. A 40 year old Thai man, Chonnathep Suriwong, shared his account of finding the…

  • Thailand NewsThai naturalist embarks on a 1,000km trip to save Mekong River

    Thai naturalist embarks on a 1,000km trip to save Mekong River

    The Mekong River, a lifeline for millions, is currently in a state of distress. Naturalist Paramin Wannakornbancha, known as Bass, embarked on a 1,000-kilometre journey on foot to raise awareness about the river’s plight. His journey, which started yesterday, January 15, has been warmly welcomed by local fishermen who are heartened by the younger generation’s concern for the river. In…

  • Pattaya NewsMekong momentum: Nakhon Phanom’s new bike lane sets sail for tourism boost

    Mekong momentum: Nakhon Phanom’s new bike lane sets sail for tourism boost

    In Nakhon Phanom, a new initiative has been launched to boost tourism along the scenic Mekong River. The local municipality has collaborated with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to introduce a Bike Lane Tunnel, an innovative attraction that’s set to captivate tourists throughout December. This project was announced to the public yesterday, December 7. The Bike Lane Tunnel, a…

  • Thailand NewsVillages and academic collaboration gathers crucial data on Mekong River dam projects’ impact

    Villages and academic collaboration gathers crucial data on Mekong River dam projects’ impact

    In a collective stance against two prospective dam projects along the Mekong River, villagers from five communities, researchers, as well as a Thai university, have teamed up. The collaboration aims to gather comprehensive data regarding their local economy, natural resources, and potential downstream impacts. The participation from within the communities stretches to Ubon Ratchathani province, located in northeast Thailand. The…

  • Crime News4 suspects arrested for smuggling 7 million meth pills near Mekong River

    4 suspects arrested for smuggling 7 million meth pills near Mekong River

    Officers from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) arrested two Thai men and two Thai women near the Mekong River in the Isaan province of Nakhon Panom after the gang smuggled seven million meth pills into Thailand and prepared to deliver them into a third country. The NSB released the details of the drug bust on Tuesday, May 16 during a…

  • Northern Thailand NewsYouTuber finds human skull on banks of Mekong River in Thailand

    YouTuber finds human skull on banks of Mekong River in Thailand

    A YouTuber found a human skull while filming content on the banks of the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province in northeast Thailand yesterday. At 6pm, Chanathip Chapuban – aka Mukdahan Moss – was riding a motorbike and filming content for his YouTube channel when he noticed something by the water on Sai Thong Kot Boon Beach (Si Khotrabun Golden…

  • Thailand NewsAncient Buddhist stupa emerges from Mekong river in Thailand

    Ancient Buddhist stupa emerges from Mekong river in Thailand

    A Buddhist stupa believed to be over 700 years old has emerged from the Mekong River between Laos and northeast Thailand. Buddhists are flocking to Nong Khai province in Isaan to catch a glimpse of the sacred structure, which has emerged as the river’s water level has drastically fallen as Thailand enters the summer season. Phra That Lah Nong –…

  • World NewsWoman’s body in suitcase identified as Lao millionaire

    Woman’s body in suitcase identified as Lao millionaire

    UPDATE The dead woman’s body in a suitcase, which was found in the Mekong River in the Isaan province of Nakhon Phanom last week, has been identified as a Laos business owner and millionaire. Her five year old daughter and husband are also missing. Thai police tried to identify the woman from her designer clothing while her body was sent…

  • Northern Thailand NewsWoman’s body in luggage found floating in Mekong River

    Woman’s body in luggage found floating in Mekong River

    Royal Thai Marine Corps police yesterday found a suitcase stuffed with the body of a dead woman floating in the Mekong River in the Isaan province of Nakhon Phanom. Officers from Nakhon Phanom Provincial Marine Police Station fished the luggage out of the Mekong about 20 metres away from the station’s dock. Officers from That Phanom Police Station, That Phanom Crown…

  • Thailand NewsTwo oarsmen drown in race practise on the Mekong River

    Two oarsmen drown in race practise on the Mekong River

    Two oarsmen tragically drowned on Friday while practising for the Thailand-Laos-Vietnam Long Boat Race last weekend. Their bodies were found yesterday washed ashore on a Mekong River bank in the Isaan province of Bueng Kan. More than ten boat racers were practising on the Mekong River on Friday morning in preparation for the race from Friday, September 9 to Sunday,…

  • Thailand NewsThai actor’s plan to swim from Thailand to Laos for charity

    Thai actor’s plan to swim from Thailand to Laos for charity

    Famous Thai actor and singer Phakin “Tono” Khamwilaisak hopes to make a splash with his charity swim across the Mekong River from Thailand to Laos and at the same time raise awareness about environmental issues and raise funds for hospitals in the two countries. Tono announced his plan via his Instagram account last Thursday, August 25. He revealed that he…

  • Northern Thailand NewsRock formation in Mekong said to be where Buddha met Naga serpents

    Rock formation in Mekong said to be where Buddha met Naga serpents

    Now that the water level in the Mekong has dropped to just one metre deep, a rock formation can now be seen above water, and locals believe the rock has Buddha’s footprints. A Thai legend says Naga serpents invited Buddha to preach in their underwater palaces. The serpents then asked Buddha to leave his footprints at the mouth of the…

  • World NewsSecond Thai-Laos friendship bridge will house both railway and motorway- Transport Minister

    Second Thai-Laos friendship bridge will house both railway and motorway- Transport Minister

    Thailand is planning to build a bridge to Laos across the Mekong River for both railway and motorway. Last month, the Thai cabinet approved the project to build a second Thailand-Laos friendship bridge, connecting Nong Khai in northeast Thailand and the Laos capital Vientiane, as part of the third phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project. The construction is estimated…