Bokeo

The Bokeo Province borders on Myanmar and Thailand, practically at the centre of the ‘Golden Triangle’. The name Bokea means ‘sapphire’, and they are not only the province’s symbol – they are really found here. However, at present the sapphire-mining industry is under the monopoly control of large Chinese State corporations, and so the only place you will see the sapphires is in shops.

Another astonishing sight in Bokeo are catfish, weighing up to 300 kilograms, and found in the Mekong River. Fishing for these catfish is now prohibited by law. In 2013 a new bridge was opened across the Mekong River, as part of a rebuilt road from Thailand to China – which is expected to bring a great boost to the regional economy.