A tragic boat accident has occurred on the Mekong River in the ‘Golden Triangle’ region, a border area shared by Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, leaving at least 20 people missing and feared dead. The incident took place late on Monday, July 10, during strong currents on the river, according to Manop Senakul, the police chief in Thailand’s northern Chiang Rai province.
While 16 Myanmar nationals were rescued, the fate of the 20 missing remains unknown. Reports from Myanmar media suggest the boat was carrying passengers from Laos to Myanmar when its engine failed, leading to the vessel capsizing. Videos circulating on social media, geolocated by AFP, show individuals on the Laotian side of the river rescuing people from the fast-flowing water.
The majority of the missing are from the semi-autonomous Wa enclave in eastern Myanmar, a region known for its tight internal controls and use of the Chinese yuan and internet services. Nyi Rang, a spokesperson for the United Wa State Army (UWSA), confirmed that details about the incident are still being investigated in collaboration with Laotian authorities. While the reasons behind the travel of those from the Wa region remain unclear, the incident took place near the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Laos. This SEZ has garnered attention for its numerous Chinese-owned casinos and hotels, alongside suspicions of its involvement in cyber scam centres, drug smuggling, gambling, and other criminal activities.
The Wa region, situated on Myanmar’s border with China, is effectively cut off from the rest of Myanmar, with numerous checkpoints and tight security measures enforced by the UWSA. The UWSA also holds territory bordering Thailand and Laos, and is considered the best-equipped among Myanmar’s various ethnic rebel groups, with its weaponry reportedly supplied by China.
Boat accidents are sadly common in Myanmar, a country grappling with poverty and rudimentary transportation infrastructure, along with lax safety regulations. A similar tragedy occurred in 2016, when an overloaded vessel capsized on the Chindwin River in central Myanmar, resulting in the deaths of 73 people, including many teachers and students. The monsoon season, which runs from June to October, brings torrential downpours that significantly swell rivers in Southeast Asia, making travel and navigation more challenging.
Authorities are continuing their search and rescue efforts, while investigations into the cause of the boat capsizing are underway. The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those traveling on waterways in Myanmar and the importance of robust safety measures.
