People & Culture - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 1018

full-blown recession. For now their fate is tied to that of the rest of the world, although
China may unseat the US as the model of choice for sound economic management in the
region.
Thailand is the regional powerhouse with a strong economy underpinned by manufac-
turing, handicrafts, tourism and agriculture. Vietnam is fast catching up and, like Thail-
and, is now a major manufacturing centre for automotive assembly and hi-tech gadgetry.
Agriculture remains a major industry, with Thailand and Vietnam going head to head for
the title of world's largest rice exporter.
The economies of Cambodia and Laos are much smaller by comparison. Cambodia re-
lies heavily on the textile industry and tourism to drive its economy, but agro-industries
such as rubber and palm oil are growing fast and traditional agriculture and fishing remain
very important to the average person. In Laos, the export of hydropower is big business
and, if not too contradictory, ecotourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors.
For an in-depth look at the beauty of Angkorian-era sculpture and its religious, cultural and so-
cial context, seek out a copy of Sculpture of Angkor and Ancient Cambodia: Millennium of Glory .