Thai Customs Department improving online info

BANGKOK, March 4 (TNA) - As the volume of imports and exports is expected to soar after an implementation of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, the Customs Department has accelerated on improving online information with 37 agencies concerned with issuing licences for both, said Somchai Phoonsawat, director-general of the department. Currently, information is linked with only 11 agencies in order to facilitate import and export procedures, Somchai said. But online information linking with 37 concerned agencies is in progress and due to complete before the end of this year to facilitate importers and exporters. Chiang Khong customs checkpoint in the northernmost province of Chiang Rai could become a vital customs office in the North after the fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge is expected to complete in June 2013 along with plans to construct dual rail track and high-speed train service between Bangkok and Nong Khai and between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, he said. Upon completion of these plans, more Chinese goods are expected to pass through Chiang Khong customs office. The National Economic and Social Development Board has projected that goods value passing through Chiang Khong customs office would jump to 45 billion baht in 2022 from only 15 billion baht this year. Somchai said the Laotian government has given a concession to a group of Chinese investors to open and operate a casino for 99 years and to develop an area totaling 28 square kilometres making it a special economic zone which is designed to facilitate goods transportation from neighbouring countries via Chiang Rai province. He said an airport and goods distribution centre are to be built which would make both Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong customs office in Chiang Rai province benefitted automatically. Therefore, it is necessary to improve Chiang Khong customs office, he said. On drug smuggling into northern Thailand in which Mae Sai customs office, also in Chiang Rai, is noted for most of the seizures, Somchai said customs officials have been ordered to also use an X-Ray to inspect goods and people entering the country. Recently, officials seized chemical substances used for the production of both methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine pills. The document showed that they were only fertiliser and would be exported to Myanmar, he added. (TNA)