Ships along the Mekong are having to navigate cautiously after water levels in the river hit a low of just two meters.

Video shows a range of ships floating along the river near Chiang Saen, on the border of Thailand and Laos.

The water level this week was reported to be between 2.00 and 2.30 meters in some areas, causing some ships to run aground.

However the water level was increased slightly after China's Jinghong dam released more water.

The river, the 12th longest in the world, is a major shipping route between western China and Southwest Asia.

The Mekong River at the Golden Triangle in the hot season is having shipping disrupted by low water levels, below 2 metres at Chiang Saen when this video was made and currently(March 12) at 2.01 metres after China's Jinghong dam released more water. Vientiane in Laos measured 1.22 metres on March 12 when figures were last updated

A number of boats have been stranded or had to leave cargo behind. Chinese companies have hotel and casino developments in Laos, across from Thailand.