THE Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office is organising a photo contest aimed at promoting tourism and culture in the six-country Greater Mekong Sub-region, which encompasses Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and China’s Yunnan province.

The contest, organised in collaboration with the Thailand-based Knowledge Media Group publishing company, will be held under the theme “Explore Mekong”.

According to the contest website (www.Mekong PhotoContest.com), the photographs will focus attention on the beauty and unique lifestyles of people living along the Mekong River, depicting places of interest, the cultural heritage of the people, and the natural beauty and environment of the region.

Application details can be found on the website. Entries will be accepted from September 1 to October 31. Judging will take place in November and the winners will be announced on December 1.

Entries will be judged by an international panel of well-known photographers, photo editors, artists and writers, according to the website. The prizes are valued at more than US$15,000, and the winning images will be exhibited in an online photo gallery.