China's Go South Policy: Excellent Article on Economic Integration in Sub-Mekhong Region

With Bridge Across Mekong, China Seeks Trade Route to Gulf of Thailand

World Politics Watch

Graham Lees


CHIANG KHONG, Thailand -- In the sleepy village of Chiang Khong on the muddy-brown banks of the mighty Mekong river, the young men are excited by talk of a bridge to link Thailand with Laos on the other side. The older population of mostly farmers and small traders are less enthused; they have heard it before.

But this time, a bridge to open up a forgotten corner of empty, jungle-covered hills on the edge of the Golden Triangle -- notorious in faraway countries for its opium-producing poppy cultivation -- might really happen.

The nearest bridge across the Mekong is more than 500 kilometers to the south, providing a link between eastern Thailand and the Lao capital Vientiane.

But now the impetus for change is coming from China, which needs to develop its large and poor southwestern province of Yunnan, bordering Burma, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, and bigger than Laos and Cambodia combined.

The Chinese have already begun harnessing the Mekong, which links six countries of Indochina before it empties into the South China Sea below Ho Chi Minh City, better known to many as Saigon.

China has agreed to pay half the $33.2 million cost with Thailand to build a bridge to replace pontoon-like ferries that provide the only link across the river into the darkly forested land beyond. Previous proposals to build a bridge have fallen foul of political indifference in Bangkok and a suspicion of outsiders by the secretive communist dictatorship running Laos.

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Nation Editorial: Transportation Barriers to Economic Integration in the Northeast

EDITORIAL

The Nation

A bridge too soon

Cross-border transport problems suggest mental blocks are harder to overcome than physical barriers

The second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, which connects Mukdahan province with Laos's Savannakhet province, was opened for traffic in January amid high hopes that it would promote regional trade, boost tourism and encourage economic and social integration of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) in a significant way. Instead, it did all this in a decidedly non-dramatic fashion, just like the first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge did, and continues to do, since it was inaugurated in 1994 to link Nong Khai province with the Lao capital of Vientiane.

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Interesting editorial. I actually agree with it. I'm a liberal and a utilitarian. I believe in globalization. I think it is a good thing in the long run for the greatest amount of people.

I have been to both border crossings. Do the crossings do anything to stimulate economic activity? No, because as the article states, there is too much bureaucracy and red tape. It takes forever to cross. These border regions are not like the border regions of Europe or like US-Canada border crossings, which actually are conducive to international economic activity.

It is in Thailand's best interests that its neighboring countries prosper and prosper fast, because it doesn't want to have three little Mexico's on its borders.

But that means Thailand has to do its part to foster integration, which means it needs to stop treating its neighboring countries like former conquered states from hundreds of years ago, only to be used, abused and exploited.

Also, Thailand needs to get past its double standards regarding globalization. It can't preach hatred of Western and Japanese capital while doing everything that it accuses the West of doing against its neighbors.

Laos, Cambodia, and Burma need to get their shit together, quickly. It is not in their best interests to become little Mexicos. They need to work on long-term development plans that protect their environments while promoting economic stimulation at the same time. Unless there is regional vision, these countries will be used by China, Thailand and Vietnam as virtual dumping grounds for less than wholesome industries, just like the situation on the US-Mexico border. For example, what if Thailand actually did start to import toxic waste from wealthy nations, like Japan, at a premium only to re-export that waste to its poorer neighbors for the cost of buying off a few border guards? This type of activity is not outside the realm of possibility, so integration yes, but proceed with caution and a long-term vision.