Batch 2.1 – Regional Changes in Continental Southeast Asia

As we began the regional changes process, members of NomadMania have been gathering around the world to actively participate in reviewing regions in their areas. Recently, an important meeting took place in Bangkok, bringing together local Thai travellers, expats living in the city, and travellers who were just passing through.

The main focus of the meeting was to review the regions of Thailand, as well as several neighbouring countries.

Here is the outcome.

Thailand (optimal score 9.40)

Significant changes have been made to most regions based on the administrative, geographical and cultural contexts.

Old NM regions (10)	New NM regions (10)
Thailand – Greater Bangkok Thailand – Central (Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya) Thailand – East Southern (Pattaya, Trat) Thailand – East (Ubon Ratchathani, Buriram) Thailand – Northeast (Udon Thani, Khon Kaen) Thailand – North (Chiang Rai, Lampang, Nan, Sukhothai, Phitsunalok) Thailand – Northwest (Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Lamphun, Tak) Thailand – Phuket Thailand – South (Trang, Krabi, Ranong, Surat Thani, Chumphon) Thailand – South Extreme (Narathiwat, Songkhla, Satun, Pattani, Yala)	Thailand – Greater Bangkok  Thailand – Central (Ayutthaya, Sukhothai) Thailand – Eastern (Pattaya, Trat) Thailand – Northern (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai) Thailand – Upper Isan (Udon Thani, Khon Kaen) Thailand – Lower Isan (Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani)  Thailand – Gulf Coast (Hua Hin, Surat Thani, Koh Samui) Thailand – Andaman Coast (Trang, Krabi, Ranong) Thailand – Phuket  Thailand – Deep South (Narathiwat, Songkhla, Satun, Pattani, Yala)

 

Here is the justification of this new division. 

1. Greater Bangkok – the most visited metropolis on Earth 
2. Central Thailand – the historical core of the country
3. Eastern Thailand – the eastern part of the country, including Pattaya
4. Northern Thailand – mountainous area centered around Chiang Mai
5. Upper Isan – Lao-influenced Isan
6. Lower Isan – Khmer-influenced Isan
7. Gulf Coast – mainly beach destinations along the coast including Gulf islands
8. Andaman Coast – limestone coast and islands on the Andaman Sea
9. Phuket – the most visited island and the mayor tourist draw
10. Deep South – Hat Yai and the four Muslim-majority provinces

Vietnam (optimal score 8.05)

Old NM regions (7)	New NM regions (9)
Vietnam – Red River Delta (Hanoi, Hai Phong, Thai Binh) Vietnam – Northeast (Halong, Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen, Ha Giang) Vietnam – Northwest (Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Hoa Binh) Vietnam – North Central Coast (Vinh, Hue, Thanh Hoa) Vietnam – South Central Coast (Danang, Nha Trang) Vietnam – Southeast (Ho Chi Minh, Thai Ninh) Vietnam – Mekong River Delta (Can Tho, Rach Gia)	Vietnam – Red River Delta (Hanoi, Hai Phong, Thai Binh) Vietnam – Northeast (Halong, Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen, Ha Giang) Vietnam – Northwest (Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Hoa Binh) Vietnam – North Central Coast (Vinh, Hue, Thanh Hoa) Vietnam – South Central Coast (Danang, Nha Trang) Vietnam – Southeast (Ho Chi Minh, Thai Ninh) Vietnam – Mekong River Delta (Can Tho, Rach Gia) + Vietnam – Central Highlands (Dalat, Pleiku) Phu Quoc

 

Overall, most elements were already very close to being correct. However, we are adding one new region — Central Highlands — to better reflect the country’s traditional regional division.

Phu Quoc Island is close to being considered an essential region and does not naturally fit within the Mekong Delta. It also has a separate visa policy and is a rapidly growing tourist destination, with a new airport currently under development. For many visitors, Phu Quoc is the only part of Vietnam they experience. A somewhat similar case to Phuket in Thailand.

In addition, we are correcting a small coastal section by reallocating it from the Southeast to the South Central Coast.

An increase to nine regions, despite an Optimal Score of 8.05, is justified by the presence of Phu Quoc island as an essential region.

Cambodia (optimal score 3.51)

Old NM regions (3)	New NM regions (4)
Cambodia – South (Phnom Penh, Kampot, Kampong Thom) Cambodia – West (Siem Reap, Koh Kong, Pursat) Cambodia – East Highlands (Kratie, Steung Treng)	Cambodia – Mekong Lowlands (Phnom Penh, Kampong Thom) Cambodia – Northwestern (Siem Reap) Cambodia – Cardomom and Elephant Mountains (Battambang, Sihanoukville) Cambodia – East Highlands (Kratie, Steung Treng)

 

We follow the traditional regional division, which is supported by the Optimal Score.

Laos (3.32) and Myanmar (5.89) – unchanged

Laos – 3 NM regions	Myanmar – 7 NM regions

 

Laos remains unchanged, supported by the Optimal Score and the absence of clear internal change proposals.

Myanmar remains unchanged according to NomadMania policy where we generally avoid making regional changes during wars or active conflicts and instead rely strictly on officially recognized settlements under international law once the situation is settled.

Malaysia (optimal score 7.62)

Malaysia is due for one new regions. However, this case remains pending. We would like to engage the local travel community for further input.

Conclusion

This is a great example of community involvement in the regional review process. We encourage you to take a look at the roadmap and submit your proposals accordingly.

The proposed changes are already implemented on the NomadMania maps.

Please check and make tweaks to your visited regions if necessary 🙂