The Setting of Mainland Southeast Asian Countries: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam

Abstract

The four countries of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam are geographically located in mainland Southeast Asia, which is situated east of the Indian subcontinent and south of China . Mainland Southeast Asia consists of five countries: Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. For the purposes of this study, the term “Mainland Southeast Asia” (MSEA) excludes Myanmar and refers only to the countries of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam with a total area of 1,262,000 km². The land of the MSEA countries has three distinctive features. First, the lowland plains are highly suited to rice cultivation. Second, it has a long coastline facing the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Third, it is drained by three major river systems, which from west to east are the Chao Phraya River, the Red River, and the Mekong River.

This chapter will describe the topography, natural conditions and resources, population, labor force, and economic growth of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam in the new millennium, from 2000 to 2014. Statistical data and information are mostly estimates and based on studies by the Mekong River Commission (MRC), Food Agricultural Organization (FAO), the World Bank, and census data from the four countries.