ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses on mainly changes in border communities, which were once perceived as marginal areas where life was difficult. Most Greater Mekong Sub-region border towns and communities have rapidly and drastically increased in size and importance since the 1990s. In Southeast Asia, the emergence of nation-states, with the exception of Thailand, started after the end of World War II in 1945 as they gained independence from the colonial West, mainly Britain and France. The first invaders from the West were Portugal in 1511, followed by Spain, Netherlands, Britain, France, and the United States; this led to occupation of the present Southeast Asia, mainly in the 19th century, with the exception of Siam or present Thailand. The "Cultural Revolution" that took place in China from 1966 to 1976 paralyzed the country's economy, society, and political order to a significant degree.