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Locals pause selling mushrooms to watch as a cargo train passes over a newly constructed bridge over the Mekong River on June 15, 2023 in Luang Prabang, Laos. The high-speed Laos-China railway, which spans 262 miles from Vientiane to Boten, marks Laos' first railway and serves as an important component of China's Belt and Road Initiative. Being the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, Laos has been at a competitive disadvantage in terms of trade compared to neighboring countries. Opening in December 2021, the LCR significantly reduces the transportation time for cargo originating from mines and farms in central Laos to China while also providing an affordable and easily accessible mode of transportation for Laotian citizens, Chinese businessmen, and tourists. CREDIT: Lauren DeCicca for The Wall Street Journal SLUG: LAOS

King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida greet supporters of the Thai monarchy outside the Grand Royal Palace on November 1, 2020 in Bangkok, Thailand. Thousands of Thai Monarchy supporters rally near the Grand Palace to show their support for King Maha Vajiralongkorn and to greet him and his wife, Queen Suthida, after a royal ceremony where the King changes the seasonal robe of the emerald Buddha located within the Grand Palace. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)

A team of scientists and science students from Chulalongkorn University collect a blood sample from a wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bat at an on site lab near the Khao Chong Pran Cave on September 12, 2020 in Ratchaburi, Thailand. A team of researchers consisting of scientists, ecologists, and officers from Thailand's National Park Department have been conducting bat sampling collection missions throughout Thailand's countryside in an effort to understand the origins of COVID-19. Led by Dr. Supaporn Wacharapluesadee, who's team at the Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases-Health Science Center at Chulalongkorn University was the first to analyze and confirm a COVID-19 case outside of China and has led the research in Thailand on tracing the virus. The team from Chulalongkorn University has been researching coronaviruses for 10 years with an expertise in the study of bats. The research team takes part in a catch and release program where they sample saliva, excrement, blood and tissue samples from a variety of bats in Thailand. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)

Bar girls wait for customers on the empty Soi Cowboy in Bangkok, Thailand on August 5, 2020. Photo by Lauren DeCicca

Jittarin "Tiger" Putchimthatsanakan, a 23-year-old elephant owner, feeds his elephant on the outskirts of his home village of Mae Sapok on July 21, 2020 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Charlie Putchimthatsanakan and his twin brother Jittarin "Tiger", bought a mother and baby elephant in October 2019 for 3.5 million baht (approx. $110,000 USD) in hopes of earning a living as an elephant owner and ethical tour operator with the Chai Lai Orchid in Chiang Mai's Mae Wang district. Since the coronavirus pandemic Charlie and Tiger have been planting elephant grass as an cheap alternative food source for their elephants and spend their days bathing, feeding and exercising the elephants on their own now that tourists numbers are down.ÊAs the COVID-19 pandemic halted global tourism, elephants and their mahouts (trainers) working in sanctuaries and camps throughout Thailand found themselves out of work. Tourism accounts for 15 percent of Thailand's GDP and Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand usually sees close to 10 million foreign visitors each year, many for elephants, causing businesses in the province to rely heavily on tourists for income. When Thailand went into lockdown in March in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus, elephant sanctuaries and controversial riding camps were forced to close and furlough mahouts until reopening. As income for mahouts evaporated, more than 100 elephants were returned to their home villages in the mountains near Chiang Mai in hopes of finding farmland to support the 200 kilogram of food each adult elephant requires daily. Others, who were lucky enough to remain employed, have taken pay cuts as visitor numbers stay low. Uncertain of when foreign tourism will rebound, mahouts and owners are asking for donations and trying to adapt to "the new normal." (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)

Thai traditional dancers put on face shields as they get ready to perform at the Erawan Shrine in central Bangkok.

Go-go dancers wearing face masks perform at the XXX Lounge in Bangkok's Patpong neighborhood.

A kindergartener at the Wat Khlong Toei School play in a protective box that was set up to encourage social distancing between students.

Mobile hospital staff wearing personal protective equipment handle completed Covid-19 nasal and throat swab tests in the Thai Teiyin Village, located in Bangkok's Don Mueang District, on April 28, 2020 in Bangkok, Thailand. While under partial lockdown the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority has begun mobile coronavirus testing units, sending medical staff with personal protective gear to high risk and vulnerable communities to perform systematic testing. In the last few weeks Thailand has seen a steady decline in newly confirmed Covid-19 patients, with a total of 2,938 confirmed cases, 54 deaths and only 232 patients remaining in the hospital. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)

People comfort the mother of Ratchanon Karnchanamethee, a 13 year old boy, who was killed during a mass shooting at Terminal 21 Mall during his funeral on February 10, 2020 in Korat, Thailand. On Saturday February 8 at Terminal 21 Mall in Korat Nakhon Rachasima, three hours from Bangkok, Sgt. Maj. Jakrapanth Thomma opened fire and killed at least 26 people and wounded 57 others in a 16 hour rampage before being shot down by Thai Police. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)

Chisanu "Teuw" Suetrongsuwan, 8, crawls under the dinner table and pops up next to his grandmother on September 12, 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times

Pheearanut Saleephol, 14, spars against his trainer, Jamlong Jaipakdee,50, at the Sor. Pullsawas Gym in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday April 8, 2019. Thai Boxing, locally known as Muay Thai, is considered to be the national sport of Thailand, with children as young as 8 years old competing professionally. In recent years, allowing children under the age of 15 to compete has become controversial due to potential health risks. Pheearanut has been boxing since age 12. His adoptive father and grandfather boxed professionally in their youth and he decided to follow in their footsteps. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The LA Times

Punam Sardar, 22, shows a family photo album to her seven year old daughter, in her home in the Sada Village in Saptari, Nepal on Saturday June 1, 2019. Punam was married to her husband, Raj Kumar Sardar, when she was 14 and Raj was 17 at the request of her parents. The couple has two children and Raj works as a tractor driver. Saptari is one of the poorest districts in Nepal and has one of the highest rates of child marriage. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times

A roadside market in Saptari, Nepal on Saturday, June 1, 2019. Saptari is one of the poorest districts in Nepal and has one of the highest rates of child marriage. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times

Rakesh Sada, 19, sits with his family outside of their home in the Ranjitpur Village of Saptari, Nepal on Saturday June 1, 2019. Rakesh was married at the age of 16 to his wife, Punti Devi Sada, who was also 16. The couple married when Rakesh's family decided to arrange marriage when his mother became too sick to take care of the family's home. Saptari is one of the poorest districts in Nepal and has one of the highest rates of child marriage. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times

Construction workers at the site of the East Coat Rail Link project in Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia on November 17, 2018. The ECRL is a suspended project, built and financed by the China Communication Construction Company, meant to connect ports in western Malaysia to those on the east coast. The project is part of the Belt and Road Initiative, a $1 trillion network of highways and railroads across the Eurasian landmass and ports throughout the Indian Ocean. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times

BANGKOK, THAILAND - OCTOBER 27: Spectators watch the competition on October 27, 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand. Racers compete for a day long motorbike drag race event called "NGO Racing" at Mitr Phol Stadium in Ratchaburi. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)

BANGKOK, THAILAND - OCTOBER 27: Spectators drive through the parking lot before the competition on October 27, 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand. Racers compete for a day long motorbike drag race event called "NGO Racing" at Mitr Phol Stadium in Ratchaburi. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)

BANGKOK, THAILAND - OCTOBER 27: Racers prepare before the competition on October 27, 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand. Racers compete for a day long motorbike drag race event called "NGO Racing" at Mitr Phol Stadium in Ratchaburi. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)

Atsushi Sakima, one of top contenders for the Governor of Okinawa, gives a campaign speech in Yonabaru, Okinawa on September 25, 2018. Atsushi Sakima, the former Governor of Ginowan, the location of the controversial Futenma base, is supported by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times

Denny Tamaki, the Liberal Party's candidate for Governor of Okinawa, meets with supporters during his "speech on the street" campaign in front of Minamiuebaru Sanei in Nakagusuku, Okinawa on September 24, 2015. Tamaki is a former Lower House member who supports an anti-base platform and opposes the Henoko project. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times

Pramila Koirala, 26, and Kabira, 22, the daughters of, Madhu Sudan Koirala, an ex Indian Army soldier who died in the 2016 suicide bombing of Candadian Embassy security personel, in their family's living room in Kathmandu, Nepal on July 14, 2018. The family lost their two youngest children in the 2015 earthquake and their father a year later in the 2016 suicide bombing in Afghanistan. According to their fathers life insurance policy the family should recieve $300,000 USD but have only recieved $30,000 USD. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times

Chitra Kumari Koirala, the widow of Madhu Sudan Koirala, an ex Indian Army soldier who died in the 2016 suicide bombing of Candadian Embassy security personel, walks past her partially constructed home, which she is rebuilding after damage in the 2015 earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal on July 14, 2018. Chitra Kumar Koirala lost her two youngest children in the earthquake in 2015 and her husband in the bombing in 2016. According to her husbands contract, the life insurance provided by Sabre International, the security company, the family should be recieving $300,000USD but have only recieved $30,000USD. Photo by Lauren DeCicca

Man Bahadur Thapa, a 53 year old ex- Indian Army soldier and victim of the suicide bombing on Canadian Embassy security personel in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2016, attends a physical and nerve therapy session in Kathmandu, Nepal on July 13, 2017. Man Bahadur Thapas is one of five survivors from the 2016 bombing and suffers from multiple shrapnel wounds, some of which still remain in his body. Man Bahadur Thapa attends physical therapy daily to ease the pain. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times

A couple takes a break on a motorbike with a view of the Kartake Bhanjyanj Village near Nagarkot, Nepal in the background on May 4, 2018. The Kartake Bahnjyanj Village is home to a family who's son was a victim of sexual assault by Peter Dalglish, a 60 year old humanitarian and former UN worker, who has been arrested in April on pedophilia charges. Photo by Lauren DeCicca

Older oxygen cylinders are sold and rented by mountaineering shops in Kathmandu's Thamel neighborhood in Kathmandu, Nepal on May 5, 2018. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times

A Lukla Airport ground crew member directs a rescue helicopter as it lands on one of the airports landing pads in Lukla, Nepal on May 3, 2018. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times

The 1,729 foot long runway at Lukla Airport, deemed the most deadly runway in the world, acts as the gateway to Mount Everest with approximately 50 flights arriving daily from Kathmandu in Lukla, Nepal on May 3, 2018.

View of the Himalayan Mountain Range during a helicopter rescue mission to the Everest Region in Nepal on May 3, 2018. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times

KC, a helicopter piolet with Air Dynasty, flies to the Everest region for an emergency rescue mission in Kathmandu, Nepal on May 3, 2018. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times.

Nepali teens walk past the Swacon International Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal on May 2, 2018. The Swacon International Hospital has been known to scam trekkers who have been helivaced to Kathmandu for medical treatment. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times

A motorcyclist drives past MCKIP, the Malaysia - China Kuantan Industrial Park, in Kuantan, Malaysia on May 16, 2018. Through the construction of the Industrial Parks and ports, in Kuantan,a coastal city located on the South china sea, malaysia aims to strenghten its trade co-operations with China. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times

A veiw of Melaka Gateway, an off-shore development of artificial islands in Malacca, Malaysia on May 14, 2018. Melaka Gateway is a $10 Billion US joint project between the Malaysian KAJ real estate group and Powerchina, who specializes in infrastucture development. The project aims to bring shopping malls, theme parks, hotels and residences to three reclaimed islands of the coast of Malaysia. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times

Children play on a swingset at the playground in Forest City, a controversial China funded real estate development project, in Johor Bahru, Malaysia on May 13, 2018. Forest City is a $100US Billion project by Country Garden Holdings Co Ltd, located on 14km of reclaimed land between Malaysia and Singapore. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times

Visitors walk past dozens of ceramic sea lions on the beach at Forest City, a controversial China Funded real estate development, in Johor Bahru, Malaysia on May 13, 2018. Forest City is a $100US Billion project by Country Garden Holdings Co Ltd, located on 14km of reclaimed land between Malaysia and Singapore. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times

Employees at the Forest City showroom put on a song and dance show in Chinese for the children of prospective buyers in Johor Bahru, Malaysia on May 13, 2018. Forest City is a $100US Billion project by Country Garden Holdings Co Ltd, located on 14km of reclaimed land between Malaysia and Singapore. Photo by Lauren DeCicca for The New York Times

Jan and her two year old daughter, Angela, lay on a bed in the Templo Embajadores de Jesus in Tijuana, Mexico. The family came to Tijuana 8 months ago from Haiti and still hope to cross over to the United States. They haven't been able to find work in Tijuana that pays enough for them to save or send money back to their family in Haiti. Photo by Lauren DeCicca

A view of the Templo Embahadores de Jesus, a church run by Pastor Gustavo Banda, is a safe haven and shelter for migrants arriving from Haiti following the destruction of Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Templo Embahadores opened in August 2016 and within one year saw over 4,000 migrant occupants. Photo by Lauren DeCicca

Pying Pying Wai, 19, cradles her two week old daughter, Thon Thadar Aung, in the birth registration room at the Mae Tao Clinic on April 26, 2018 in Mae Sot, Thailand. Photo by Lauren DeCicca

Phyu Nay Win, 35, a medic at the Mae Tao Clinic, performs an ultrasound on Eledar, 34, who is expecting her fourth child, on April 26, 2018 in Mae Sot, Thailand. Eledar is a legal migrant to Thailand, who has been working in a factory near Mae Sot for 14 years.

The Mae Tao Clinic provides Phototherapy for an infant with jaundice on April 26, 2018 in Mae Sot, Thailand. The Mae Tao Clinic was started by Dr. Cynthia Maung as a way to help the Burmese refugee and migrant community on the Thai/Myanmar border. Photo by Lauren DeCicca

Female inmates at the Chonburi Central Prison stand in line to recieve lunch in Chonburi, Thailand on February 6, 2018. Photo by Lauren DeCicca.

Sleeping blankets line the floor in one of the dormitories at the Chonburi Central Women's Prison in Chonburi, Thailand on February 6, 2018. 94 inmates stay in one large dormitory room with only a few square meters to themselves. Photo by Lauren DeCicca.