[Photo/CGTN]

"The joint patrol 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 mentioned.

Chiang Saen's old port is to be developed into a mega-tourism port, Mayor of Wiang Chiang Saen subdistrict municipality Chayagrit Nissaisook said.

The mayor said the Tourism Authority of Thailand had made a master plan to develop the port to the scale of an international airport, with duty free shops and restaurants to welcome tourists, especially Chinese tourists.

"The investment will be at a minimum of 39 million baht ($1.19 million) to firstly realize the plan that we may be able to attract more than 100 million baht ($3.06 million)," he added.

Yunnan Provincial Tourism Investment launched their boat service in Chiang Saen Port in October this year, tourists can now take a boat from here to see Myanmar and Laos along the river and also to do some shopping on Don Sao Island of Laos, a separate duty free zone.