A New Hub of Cargo in Chiang Rai – Developing A Logistics Hub Along the Mekong

In keeping with an agreement between the governments of Thailand and China, a dredging project along the Mekong River in Chiang Rai is set to take place. The government of Thailand recently gave the approval for a survey to be conducted along the river, so as to find out the exact amount of dredging that would be required in order for ships carrying cargo of up to 500,000kg to pass through safely. Such moves are believed to help transform Chiang Rai into a hub when it comes to cargo transport and logistics. Attracting tourists to the region, hotels in Chiang Rai are amongst the current local economic contributors including properties like Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort. Environmentalists have expressed concern, however, that such dredging will cause adverse effects on local ecosystems and livelihood, while proponents of the project have highlighted the economic gain and the reduction of cargo transport costs as well.