Dinner & conversation
The starting idea is a small, informal table in Bangkok: around eight people, a good meal and time to talk. No presentation to prepare. A story or a few photographs are always welcome.
A forming circle · Bangkok & the Mekong region
The Mekong Order
Good stories deserve good company.
An independent circle of anthropologists, economists, adventurers and photographers—with serious curiosity and an appetite for the unexpected.
Request an invitationDinners, drinks, field stories and occasional journeys.
People worth sharing a table with.
The researcher who knows a border town inside out. The economist who follows its trade routes. The photographer who stayed long enough to see it differently. The traveller who knows the road out.
We are bringing together people with firsthand experience, independent minds, good humour and a sense of adventure. Thai and international, women and men, established specialists and unconventional explorers: the interesting part is what you bring to the conversation.
Start with a table. See where it leads.
Knowledge with dust on it
Markets, archaeology, trade, regional food, photography and journeys that changed your mind. Bring a question, a discovery, or a story that took an unexpected turn.
Follow a good lead
As friendships form, occasional member-proposed journeys: a provincial town, a historical route, a market or a day with a camera. Plans take shape among the people joining them.
A club that leaves room for life.
We are starting casually, with occasional gatherings rather than a demanding calendar. Come when you can. The proposed starting arrangement is simple: everyone pays their own way, and no standing commitment is expected.
The circle is still forming. No first dinner date or venue has been announced. Introduce yourself if you would like to be considered for a guest evening as plans come together.
Pull up a chair
Request an invitation.
You do not need to know an existing member to introduce yourself. Tell us where you are based, what you have explored or investigated, and what makes you curious about the region. A link to your writing, research or photographs is welcome, but optional.
Invitations are personal. We are looking for curiosity, good company and people who make both a dinner and a journey more interesting. An introduction is a request, not automatic membership.
Introduce yourself by emailOpens a draft in your email app. Nothing is sent until you send it. You can also write to info@mekongorder.org.
A few practical questions
Is this an established club?
It is a forming circle. The aim is to build real friendships through small gatherings first, and let shared journeys grow from there.
Do I need academic credentials?
No. Research and expertise are welcome, alongside practical experience, thoughtful observation and an adventurous temperament. Tell us something you have done or a question you are pursuing.
Do I need to live in Bangkok?
Bangkok is the starting point for the proposed dinners. People with ties to the wider Mekong region are welcome to introduce themselves, including those who visit occasionally.
Is a trip or dinner available to book?
No dates or bookable trips are currently advertised here. Details will be discussed directly when a gathering takes shape. This website takes no payments or bookings.
What happens to my introduction?
Your email goes to the club contact address for a membership conversation. This page has no signup database or marketing tracker. Please share only what you are comfortable including in an introductory email.