Thailand and Mekong River

• Chiang Saen in the northern part of Chiang Rai province, along with the Mekong River, forming the boundary with Laos, is an important entrepot for Thailand’s international trade with the upper Mekong River region.
• Once famous for the most extensive opium-producing areas of Asia before the emergence of Afghanistan, it is named Golden Triangle of Southeast Asia. Derived from the natural geographical triangle where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos divided by Mekong River and its tributary Ruak River. Is one of the popular tourist destinations in the region today.
• Mekong River also forms the boundary with Laos along Phayao, Nan and Uttaradit provinces.
• Isan is Thailand’s largest region located in the northeastern.
• Mekong River forms most of the border between Thailand and Laos to the north and east of Isan.
• Many Laotians living in the Mekong Valley have relatives and friends in Isan.
• Moon (Mun) River, is a tributary of the Mekong River, which begins in the Khao Yai National Park area, near Nakhon Ratchasima. It flows east through the Khorat Plateau in southern Isan for 750 kilometres, until it joins Mekong River at Khong Chiam in Ubon Ratchathani.
• Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok is a regional hub and connecting point for many foreign carriers, is the gateway for international visitors travelling to Mekong Region. It is the main hub for the following carriers:

           Asia Atlantic Airlines
           Bangkok Airways
           Jet Asia Airways
           K-Mile Air
           Orient Thai Airlines
           Thai Airways International
           Thai Vietjet Air
           Thai Smile

• Don Mueang International Airport is Asia’s oldest operating airport, also world’s largest LCC airport. It is the main hub for many Low Cost Carriers, such as:

           New Gen Airways
           Nok Air
           NokScoot
           Orient Thai Airlines
           R Airlines
           Siam Air
           Thai AirAsia
           Thai AirAsia X
           Thai Lion Air

• Bangkok is situated towards the west of Mekong River,
  • 630 km away from Nong Khai, where the 1st Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge crosses over Mekong River to Vientiane.  
  • 220 km away from Aranyaprathet/PoiPet – the popular checkpoint to Cambodia (Tonle SAP, Battambang and Siem Reap)
• Hong Kong (Singapore & Seoul–Incheon is 2nd & 3rd) is the busiest international route to Suvarnabhumi Airport, and Phuket (Chiang Mai & Ko Samui is 2nd & 3rd) is the busiest domestic route.
• Whereas Kuala Lumpur is the busiest international route to Don Mueang International Airport, and Chiang Mai (Hatyai & Phuket is 2nd & 3rd) is the busiest domestic route.

Krungthep Maha Nakhon

Krungthep Maha Nakhon, or just Krung Thep is a short form of Bangkok addressed by Thai spoken people. Bangkok is generally known overseas. The official full name of Bangkok, which holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest place name, shall read:

“Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit”

However, Thailand’s Royal Society has announced that “Krung Thep Maha Nakhon; Bangkok” shall change to “Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok),” In Mid-February, 2022.

Bangkok is the most visited and also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Located in the Chao Phraya River delta, Bangkok Metropolitan Region includes Nonthaburi, Phathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom, has the size of more than 10 times of Singapore. With population of about 15 millions, make it one of the largest cities in the world. Where Nonthaburi City is the 2nd largest Municipality in Thailand, after Bangkok. Nonthaburi, Phathum Thani and Samut Prakhan Provinces are among the top largest provinces in Thailand.