24 APRIL 2014 - CHIANG SAEN, CHIANG RAI, THAILAND: A Lao flagged river boat cruises north on the Mekong River. Chinese businesses play an increasingly important role in the Chiang Rai economy. Consumer goods made in China are shipped to Thailand while agricultural products made in Thailand are shipped to China. Large Chinese cargo boats ply the Mekong River as far south as Chiang Saen in the dry season and Chiang Khong when river levels go up in the rainy season. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ