New border checkpoint with Malaysia to be built

BANGKOK, July 22 (TNA) - Cross-border trade between Malaysia and Thailand will be enhanced with the opening of a new border checkpoint in Sadao district of Songkhla province. The plan was confirmed on Sunday by Finance Minister Kittirat Na-Ranong. He says the government will also spend 650 million baht on rebuilding the existing Sadao customs office, in an effort to ease traffic bottlenecks on an area of 661 rai. Other plans include the construction of a dual rail track system and a 56km motorway linking Hat Yai and Sadao. Thailand’s trade with Malaysia through Sadao district reaches 300 billion baht annually. That figure is projected to soar to 400 billion baht in the year 2015 when the ASEAN Economic Community begins.