A Chinese boat collects samples of the bed of the Mekong River in Chiang Saen district of Chiang Rai on Sunday during China's survey of the Mekong River to facilitate cargo transport. (Photo by Chinnapat Chaimol)It is too early to worry about China's survey of the Mekong River in Thailand in connection with a plan to facilitate its cargo boat navigation there, authorities said on Tuesday. Chinese officials are surveying the Thai section of the Mekong River in Chiang Rai province for a feasibility study and no decision has been made nor has any action been taken that should justify public concerns, government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said. Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith admitted on Tuesday that China had a project to adjust the navigational channel in the Mekong River but said at this stage the existing channel and water currents are just being surveyed. The remaining section ran 96 kilometres along Thailand and Laos and its survey was set from April 19 to June 11.

Source: Bangkok Post April 25, 2017 11:25 UTC