When the Asean Economic Community (AEC) swings into action late next year, great changes will be effected along the magnificent Mekong River, not to mention the bustling road networks which link the main countries in the southeast Asian mainland.
Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and China will experience some of the most ambitious transportation efforts ever seen in this part of the world.
At the 5th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) summit chaired by Thailand on Dec 19-20, leaders of the six countries approved spending of 960 billion baht on development and investment projects in the region over the next five years.
The mighty Mekong has for centuries played an integral part in the development and history of the region. "The charm of the Mekong River attracts the interest of foreign investors who will work with us in development," Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told the summit.
In fact, development by the Mekong countries has been continuing for some time already, ranging from detailed inspections of targeted areas to the sharing of expertise on such things as tourism along the river.
Chiang Rung − or Xishuangbanna − a crucial area of China's southern province of Yunnan, will be a major gateway for trade, investment and transport, linking China to the southern countries.
Shops and high-rise buildings are springing up like wildfire along the Mekong near the port of Chiang Rung, where real estate values are skyrocketing.
Chinese from all parts of the country have settled there to take advantage of business opportunities, while the local Tai Lue ethnic people are happy to sell their land to them.
The surge in prosperity comes as China sets out a strategy to open its western gateway to the sea.
Universities and key government offices are being relocated from the heart of Yunnan's Kunming area to its southern district of Chenggong to serve that target.
To help, China is constructing a road along the Mekong River stretching from the port of Chiang Rung, through the riverside cities of Ganlanpa and Guan Lei to the Golden Triangle in Laos, covering more than 300 kilometres.
Laos is also building Highway 1A to connect the riverside route with Highway R3A, which is the key route linking Xishuangbanna to Chiang Khong district of Chiang Rai via Laos.
When the route along the Mekong River is completed, Guan Lei Port is expected to become a crucial commercial point in the Xishuangbanna autonomous region, followed by the Myanmar port of Sob Luay in the Wa autonomous zone.
Many cargo ships venturing along the Mekong River are expected to dock and unload at the ports, where consignments will then be distributed throughout Yunnan.
A woman watches the shore from the deck of a cargo barge.
Many rock formations and islets in the international part of the river which obstruct water transport during the dry season are being blown up.
Mekong Delta Travel Agency, which runs Mekong River cruises, has ordered another boat to complement its two-vessel fleet.
The company has established cruises from Chiang Rai's Chiang Saen district to Xishuangbanna, and Chiang Saen to Laos' Luang Prabang province.
In readiness for an expected tourism boom along the river, owner Pagaimas Viera said she aims to increase the number of her boats to five.
"Our boats have powerful engines that can handle the strong currents of the Mekong River," Ms Pagaimas said, adding that the Chinese and Lao captains are hired for their marine expertise and language skills.
Apart from the strong tourism potential, the Mekong can expect a huge surge in cargo transport.
"The route will become the key transport spot, carrying goods from Thailand to Myanmar, Laos and the southern part of China," said Ms Pagaimas, who is also deputy chair of the Chiang Rai Chamber of Commerce.
Still, Myanmar and Laos are now about to open their first friendship bridge across the Mekong, linking Keng Lap in Myanmar's Tachilek province to Long in Laos' Luang Namtha province.
At just 80 kilometres from Chiang Rai's border district of Chiang Saen, more than 70% of its construction is complete.
Songklod Duanghaklang, director of the Chiang Rai Marine Office, brushed aside concerns over the problem of shallow stretches which could hinder maritime traffic.
The problem should no longer be a concern as the construction of 11 Chinese dams across the Mekong River have been completed, which means the water level will be easily manageable for transport, he said.
Laos' Xayaburi Dam, which is now under construction, would also help control the river level downstream, ensuring viable water transport throughout the year.
"More than 500 cargo barges from several countries, including China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, operate daily along the Mekong River," Mr Songklod said. "Most of them dock at Chiang Saen port."
The leading consignments transported on the river include frozen chicken and beef, live cattle, diesel, new and modified cars, sugar and beer.
"The Chinese cargo boats are equipped with fridges, which keep products fresh until they reach their destination. There are many boats of this kind," said Mr Songklod.
The Chinese government now supports the use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) in boats plying the Mekong River.
It is reported that CCTV cameras have been installed along the Mekong riverbank within Chinese territory. The cameras are thought to have been placed as far as the Chiang Rung Port.
Security measures along the Mekong were beefed up after the murder of 13 Chinese crew members in 2011. A joint working committee was set up to deal with the security issue about a year ago.
Joint patrols with Chinese troops are also carried out, while speed boats have been given to Myanmar and Laos to help with security in their areas of the river.
The murder of the Chinese sailors was one of the deadliest assaults on Chinese nationals overseas in modern times and prompted the Chinese government to send gunboat patrols downstream.
Golden Triangle drug kingpin Naw Kham was executed in China on 1 March 2013 over the murders.
Naw Kham, 43, of Myanmar, and his gang were found guilty of attacking two Chinese cargo ships in collusion with Thai soldiers in the Chiang Rai section of the Mekong.
They kidnapped other Chinese sailors and held their ships for ransom earlier that year, the court in the Yunnan city of Kunming found.
Goods are unloaded from a boat in Laos. Many shipments between China, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand go by boat.
A military marine patrol provides security for the Thai-owned Kasalongkam II as it leaves Chiang Rai for southern China.
The bustling Chiang Rung (Xishuangbanna) is a crucial part of China's southern province of Yunnan and a major gateway for trade, investment and transport.
Work continues on a vital new bridge linking Keng Lap in Myanmar's Tachilek province to Long in Laos' Luang Namtha province. Photos by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd