Journey down the Mekong River (1/2)

We set off from Huay Xai on a two-day boat trip down the majestic Mekong River, spending the night in the small village of Pakbeng. As we sailed between Thailand (on the right) and Laos (on the left), we saw how local life revolves around the river. Villages stretch across both shores, and the national border seems to mean little to the people living there.

The Mekong’s banks are a mix of steep green hills, empty sandy beaches, and herds of wild cows relaxing in the sun. The river itself is fast and powerful, full of swirling currents, and its water is a reddish-brown, colored by the surrounding earth.

The Mekong is one of the longest rivers in the world, flowing over 4,900 km through 6 (!) countries and supporting millions of people in Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, existing and planned dams on the Mekong cause serious environmental damage. Laos’ plan to become the “Battery of Asia” is likely driven by Chinese interests, as China profits the most from these energy projects.Læs mere