The Mekong River flowing though Luang Prabang. I don't pretend that my soundings about the future of the river were scientific. I talked when the opportunity was available to 'the man or woman in the street', or the hotel,or in taxis of various kinds. And on this occasion,in contrast to other visits reported in The Interpreter, I did not seek commentary from officials. There appears to have been no change in their positions,particularly the Lao and Cambodia government. What the Vietnamese government feels about the Mekong's future is something of the a puzzle,while the Thai government is clearly not focused on the issue