THA RIVER

river in northwestern Laos, one of the 12 principal tributaries of the Mekong River. The Tha River rises on the Chinese frontier and flows generally southwestward in deep, narrow valleys for about 134 miles (215 km) to join the Mekong River at a point some 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Ban Houayxay. Navigable only by small craft, the Tha is nonetheless the principal stream of extreme northwestern Laos. Near it lie copper, alluvial gold, sapphire, and zircon deposits.