NONG KHAI, 24 July 2014 – A new pier for vessels on the Mekong River has been opened in Nong Khai province’s Mueang district to facilitate freight.
On Wednesday, Mueang district permanent secretary Wirot Uthumphok chaired the opening ceremony for the docking site, located at the Mekong River patrol Unit in Ban Hin Ngom (บ้านหินโงม) , Mueang district.
According to Lieutenant Chetniphit Pannim, head of the Nong Khai pier, there are at least 20,000 vessels plying their trade on the Mekong River at present; 3,000 of those in Nong Khai alone. Given the lack of regulations on these vessels, various illegal activities such as narcotic and contraband smuggling along the river, which marks the border between Thailand and its neighbors, have mushroomed in recent days, Monitoring efforts against these activities are also very difficult to carry out, according to Lt. Chetniphit.
There are now 105 piers in Nong Khai province, from a total of 140 that have been planned.
