Mekong sandbanks obstruct cross-border boat services
The lowest level of water in the Mekong river in several decades has caused sandbanks to emerge, obstructing boat services across the border between Thailand and Laos, according to a local report.
The low level of water has been caused by many factors including drought and retention of water at the numerous dams upstream in China.
At many spots in Muang, Tha Uthen, Ban Phaeng and That Phanom districts, the water level is now only about one metre high, causing sandbanks more than one kilometre long to emerge, hampering cross-border boat services. The boats are forced to travel a much a longer distance around to circumvent the sandbanks.
Pattanapong Siripiachai
