Which of the following statements with regard to Southeast Asian river systems is/are correct? 1. The Salween River flows through China, Myanmar, and Thailand before draining into the Andaman Sea. 2. The Mekong River forms international borders between Myanmar and Laos, as well as between Laos and Thailand. 3. The Irrawaddy River is a transboundary river that originates in Vietnam and drains directly into the Gulf of Tonkin. Select the answer using the code given below: |ForumIAS

[A] 1 and 2 only

[B] 2 and 3 only

[C] 1 only

[D] 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Notes:

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Salween (Nu River in China) flows through China, Myanmar, and along the Thailand-Myanmar border before emptying into the Andaman Sea (Gulf of Martaban).
Statement 2 is correct: The Mekong serves as a natural boundary demarcating sections between Myanmar-Laos and Laos-Thailand before entering Cambodia and Vietnam.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Irrawaddy River flows entirely within Myanmar (originating in Kachin State) and drains through the Andaman Sea into the Bay of Bengal.