Thailand Gateway to Indochina

Southeast Asia's Last Tourism Frontier A remarkable diversity of sights and scenes, historical, cultural and scenic, are to be found in the Mekong basin. Remarkbly the region remains little explored, affording the opportunity for a travel experience that crosses the frontiers of tourism.

The Mekong, the world's 10th largest and 12th longest river at 4,200 km, is the last tourism frontier in peninsula Southeast Asia, Along the passage of this mighty waterway have arisen civilizations that have shaped the region,while today peoples of distinet cultures and tradition preserves a remarkable diversity of sights and scenes. And yet the Mekong lands remain largely unexplored.

From its headwaters high in the Tibetan plateau, the river flows south through China's Yunnan province and passes Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia before entering southern Vietnam where it forms a classic delta as it finally joins the South China Sea. Until recently, all of these Mekong lands, with the exception of Thailand, have been mostly inaccessible to the ordinary traveller. Now the region is opening up, bringing fresh opportunities for a whole new programme of exciting and varied tour options.

Each of the six Mekong countries has its own unique attractions. Ancient monuments and old royal capitals bear witness to an illustrious past, while lifestyles present fascinating and contrasting images. Natural sights also abound, from the mountain gorges of northwest, from wooded valleys to vast flood plains. And because the Mekong has been little explored or exploited, all remains as pristine as you will find anywhere in the world today.

Different though each of the Mekong countries are, the sub - region as a whole now offers a synergy for the promotion of travel and tourism within its outer borders. A wealth of destinations are here presented within easy access of each other.

Located in the heart of the sub-region, Thailand serves as the ideal base for exploring the Mekong basin. With direct air links to all parts of the world, it provides a convenient gateway for both regional and longhaul travellers, while flights from Bangkok afford ready access to all the capitals and major cities of the other five Mekong countries. At the same time, road and river communications are rapidly expanded to provide a choice of land transport that greatly enhances touring possibilities.

Although tourism infrastructure is most highly developed in Thailand, facilities throughout the sub-region are rapidly improving, hotels, restaurants and other services and amenities are sufficient to ensure comfort, if not always luxury, while your clients will enjoy a sense of adventure and discovery. Indeed, the relaxation offered by Thailand's deluxe tropical resorts and the thrill of exploring fresh sights and scenes of the Mekong lands is a winning combination. And the choice of options is simply amazing-six countries and myriad wonders.