NEIGHBORS OF THAILAND...

There is no question here about delivering a geography course or a tour guide but simply giving you a slightly more holistic view of Thailand and its neighbors.

Thailand is a hub in Southeast Asia. First because it is one of the most developed countries and then because it is a central country to discover Southeast Asia.

Thailand has a border with 4 countries: Laos, Myanmar (ex Burma), Malaysia and Laos.

These borders extend to each of these countries over a very long distance with the exception of Burma.

Laos

The border is very long since it extends from the north-west to the Golden Triangle to the province of Ubon Ratchathani in the east, which is a rather considerable distance, the Mekong of which is the border on most of it.

There are four cross-border bridges:

-The bridge of the Lao-Thai friendship, between Nong Khai in Thailand and Vientiane in Laos since 1994

-The second bridge of the Lao-Thai friendship, between Mukdahan in Thailand and Savannakhet in Laos since 2006

-The third bridge of Lao-Thai friendship, between Nakhon Phanom and Thakhek, since November 2011.

-The bridge of Hoei Sai.

 

The route of the border was fixed jointly by France and Siam in 1907.

France, in a position of strength at a time when the French and British colonial empires are expanding in Southeast Asia, obtains the transfer of two portions of territory located on the right bank of the Mekong, for the benefit of Laos on which it exerts a Protectorate.

Laos is, despite many past conflicts, a brother country by language (which is roughly the same as in Thailand and a similar culture with northeastern Thailand).

It is a small country (about 3 times less than France on the surface with a population of only 6.5 million inhabitants).

It is easy to get there from Thailand, with each border crossing being able to issue a visa for tourists on the border.

There is no particular danger of going there or at the border level.

 

 

Cambodia

There again the border is very long on about 500kms from Ubon Ratchathani Province to Trat.

A note that here also you have the meeting (as at the Golden Triangle) of borders between Thailand, Laos and Cambodia but this one is less famous...

It is advisable to avoid (even if the site is recommended for the visit for its beauty) to visit the temple Preah Vihear, on the border between Thailand and Cambodia.

Indeed, even if several judgments have granted the territoriality of this space in Cambodia the dispute has not ceased and multiple clashes occur frequently with exchanges of fire.

So, area to avoid.

Also in Cambodia remain cautious because the attacks of tourists and robberies are not uncommon.

 

Malaysia

The border in terms of distance is very low.

Malaysia is located on the southeastern part of Thailand (450 kms south of Phuket) This area is arguably the most dangerous in Thailand and it is necessary to really avoid it.

This part of the territory is Muslim with, and it must be said, a very large majority of Muslims who live their religion in a peaceful and tolerant way but there is also, as in France and Europe, a very radical and dangerous minority.

The army is ubiquitous and there are constantly clashes and terrorist attacks that can present a certain danger to tourists.

This area is to be avoided absolutely.

 

Myanmar (ex Burma)

The border is very long, starting from the north-west at the Golden Triangle north of Chiang Rai and ending to the province of Nonga in the south, about 300km north of Phuket.

Myanmar has great sorrows in finding the voice of democracy and peace.

It is a wonderful country that can easily be visited from Thailand by taking some precautions but which, overall, for tourists does not present great dangers.

For all these countries it is easy to have a visa, whether at the border posts or at the embassies in Bangkok if this is your starting point.

 

Two recommendations:

1)If you travel on your own, inform yourself of the dangers and precautions at the French embassy, they will give you all the advice and guide you.

2)If you want to be assisted, take an accredited and recognized agency that will take care of the formalities and will not train you in dangerous places.

In any case know that all the countries bordering Thailand are beautiful countries with each his culture and a strong identity and which deserve to be visited.

The advantage of Thailand is that it allows to have a relay point to visit them and that in Thailand you have the certainty of security and ease of travel from one country to another.

Good trip...