CHIANG RAI, Thailand: A tragic boat accident on the Mekong River in the “Golden Triangle” region—where Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand meet—has left at least 20 people missing and feared dead out of 40. The incident occurred late Monday when the boat, which was transporting people from Laos to Myanmar, encountered strong currents and an engine failure, according to Manop Senakul, the police chief of Thailand’s Chiang Rai province. Rescue teams have managed to save 16 Myanmar nationals so far.
Many of the missing passengers are from Myanmar’s semi-autonomous Wa region, an area that is closely controlled and almost isolated from the rest of the country. The United Wa State Army (UWSA), an armed ethnic group in the region, is coordinating with Laotian authorities to investigate the incident.
The mishap took place near the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Laos, a hub known for its Chinese-owned casinos, gambling, and illicit activities such as drug trafficking and cyber scams. The Wa region, which borders China, operates with its own set of rules and utilizes Chinese currency and internet services.
Boat accidents are not uncommon in Myanmar due to weak safety regulations and challenging river conditions, especially during the rainy season, which can cause dangerous water levels and strong currents. A similar tragedy occurred in 2016 when an overloaded boat capsized on the Chindwin River, resulting in 73 deaths.
