Mekong’s way

A series of journeys by the photographer of Bangkok Tribune to reflect the Mekong’s Way on Southeast Asia’s lifeline

As the formal “prior consultation” process has been kick-started for the fifth dam on the Lower Mekong, Luang Prabang, halfway of those 11 planned on the Lower section of the 5,000-km Mekong River, we would also like to invite you to travel along the Lower Mekong section down to the Delta to witness lives along this lifeline of Southeast Asia.

Between the lines of official talks, there are lives and ways of life of the Mekong people that are valuable but cannot or may not be easily measured in monetary terms.

Mekong Navigation, Pakbeng, Laos — Locals wait to embark on boats at Pak Bang in Lao PDR, the upper part of the Lower section. The site is selected as a location for the third dam planned on the Lower section, Pak Bang. (Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

Mekong River, Luang Prabang — Luang Prabang residents fish in the Mekong River that flows past their town. Not far away, the fifth dam on the Lower section is planned, Luang Prabang. (Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

New Year Festival, LuangPrabang — This World Heritage town of Luang Prabang has preserved its long-time traditions including sand-based stupa making by the Mekong during Songkran Day (Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

Mekong River, Xayaburi, Lao — The Mekong River sneaks past the ravines in Xayaburi, where the first dam on the Lower section, Xayaburi, is about to operate. (Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

Fish cage in Mekong River, Nong Khai — Aquaculture fishery shares space with capture fishery in this same river in Nhong Khai province, Thailand. (Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

Phra That Klang Nam, Nong Khai — A rock-based stupa in the mid of the river, respected and worshipped by the locals in Nhong Khai province. It has become visible during a dry season when the water level recedes. (Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

Khon Phapheng Waterfall, Mekong River In Champasak — A variety of traditional fishing methods have been developed and applied to this unique part of the Mekong, Khon Phapheng Waterfall and Si Phan Don area, southern Laos. The second dam, Don Sahong, is being constructed around here. (Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

Fishing in Khon Phapheng Waterfall, Mekong River In Champasak — A man applies his high skill of fishing to fish in this rapid area of Khon Phapheng Waterfall. (Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

Li of fish trap at Khon Phapheng Waterfall — Li is a bamboo-made fishing gear developed to lure fish from the rapids in Khon Phapheng Waterfall. (Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

Flooded forests in Stung Treng, Cambodia — Flooded forests in Stung Treng province in Cambodia provide a nursery ground for migratory fish. Another dam, Stung Treng, is planned somewhere. (Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

Mekong River, Kratie, Cambodia — Life by the Mekong River in Kratie province, where another dam of the Lower section, Sambor is planned. (Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

Irrawaddy Dolphins in the Mekong River, Kratie, Cambodia — Irrawaddy Dolphins swim in the Mekong River in Kratie where its large population reportedly remains because of local conservation efforts. (Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

Kampong Cham Bamboo Bridge, crossign Mekong River — A temporary bamboo bridge built by the locals to cross between the islets in the Mekong River in Kampong Cham province in Cambodia. (Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia — Life during a dry season at the Tonle Sap lake in Cambodia. It has become harder in recent years as the season has changed and lasts longer than before.(Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

Local life at Tole Sap, Cambodia — Tole Sap residents collect hyacinth and dry it before weaving it into handicrafts to raise additional incomes for their families. (Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

Tole Sap Lake, Cambodia — A fisher fishes in Tole Sap in Cambodia with changing water flows patterns reported. (Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

Cai Rong Floating Market, Mekong Delta, Vietnam — Cai Rong Floating Market, one of the biggest floating markets in the Mekong Delta in Can Tho, Vietnam, where locals come to sell and buy fresh farm produces. (Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

The simply invented scale at local residents’ houses to help inform about water levels from the Mekong in Chau Doc in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. (Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

Mekong Delta's Local Life, Vietnam — Fishers prepare their nets to fish in the sea next to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.(Photo: Sayan Chuenudomsavad)

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