Bangkok (People's Daily) - Chinese and Thai companies signed three documents on Monday in northern Thailand's Chiang Saen port to develop boat sightseeing services along the Lancang-Mekong River.

China's Yunnan Provincial Tourism Investment Co., Ltd. and Thailand's New Chiang Saen Group Co., Ltd. sign documents on December 17. (Photos: Sun Guangyong/People's Daily app)

China's Yunnan Provincial Tourism Investment Co., Ltd. and Thailand's New Chiang Saen Group Co., Ltd. were the primary signatories of the documents, which cover sightseeing services along the Mekong River, that offers the sceneries of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar in a day-long trip.

They will also launch a boat service from Chiang Saen port to Jinghong in China's Yunnan Province, as well as to Luang Prabang in Laos and Kengtung in Myanmar.

"We are trying to connect tourist services and attractions along the Lancang-Mekong River," Xu Lianbiao, vice general manager of Yunnan Provincial Tourism Investment, said.

We are also developing a wild elephant center in the Lao province of Xayaburi and eco-tourism there, he added.

Thailand put forward a vision called "five Chiang cities, four countries," which seeks close tourism cooperation and facilitation between Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Jinghong (Chiang Rung), Kengtung (Chiang Tung) and Luang Prabang (Chiang Thong). Xu said their company's goal to boost tourism cooperation echoes with the vision of the five Chiangs.

"The joint patrols of China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand make it safe to sail on the Mekong River, making it possible for tourism routes linking these Chiang cities to grow," he said.

Tourists go sightseeing in the Golden Triangle on a boat from the Thailand's New Chiang Saen Group Co., Ltd. 

Chiang Saen port used to be a cargo port before a new one was built there. The plan is to turn the old port into a mega-tourism port, Wiang Chiang Saen subdistrict mayor Chayagrit Nissaisook said. 

The mayor said the Tourism Authority of Thailand had made a master plan to develop the port into a international airport, with duty free shops and restaurants.

“At least 39 million baht ($1.19 million) will initially be invested, and we hope to attract more than 100 million baht ($3.06 million)," he added.

The Yunnan Provincial Tourism Investment launched their boat sightseeing service in Chiang Saen Port in October. Tourists can take a boat to see Myanmar and Laos along the river and also shop on Don Sao Island of Laos, a separate duty free zone.