Mekong Border Riverscape

Mekong border trade is currently undergoing a period
of change where many agencies across the borders
have been impacted physically and socially. This
book takes a critical look into the transborder
trade operations between Thailand and Laos along the
Mekong river. By exploring changes and adaptation
occurring at the subregional, national, and local
levels, it shows how the pragmatic practices of
negotiation among different actors have been
performed within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS)
changing trade regime.

The book argues that the complex trade relations
based on social connections across the border have
placed different agencies on both sides of the
border in different positions where they can make
use of unequal power relations differently. The
Mekong border riverscape is a unique space where
people make use of its border porosity and fluidity
of river for their livelihood. The Mekong boat
traders are not only a part of the border
riverscape, but also active agents in defining and
redefining the significance of the Mekong itself
though their own space and identity construction.

Autorentext

Jakkrit has recently been researching on various social aspects of the Mekong region. He gained his MA in the field of development studies from Chiang Mai University, Thailand, and is currently a PhD candidate at the Australian National University. He is also a fellow of Mekong Program on Water, Environment and Resilience.

Klappentext

Mekong border trade is currently undergoing a period of change where many agencies across the borders have been impacted physically and socially. This book takes a critical look into the transborder trade operations between Thailand and Laos along the Mekong river. By exploring changes and adaptation occurring at the subregional, national, and local levels, it shows how the pragmatic practices of negotiation among different actors have been performed within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) changing trade regime.The book argues that the complex trade relations based on social connections across the border have placed different agencies on both sides of the border in different positions where they can make use of unequal power relations differently. The Mekong border riverscape is a unique space where people make use of its border porosity and fluidity of river for their livelihood. The Mekong boat traders are not only a part of the border riverscape, but also active agents in defining and redefining the significance of the Mekong itself though their own space and identity construction.