Active trade prior to Chinese New Year celebrations

BANGKOK, February 4 (TNA) - Trading is now more active in several Thai provinces prior to the forthcoming Chinese New Year celebrations next weekend. In Chiang Rai province in the Thai North, Thai business operators are accelerating their imports of fruits from China to serve the rising demand of Thai consumers with the Chinese descent during the upcoming Chinese New Year, leading to more lively trade at its main Chiang Khong Port. Fruits which are mostly imported from China include those used for traditional sanctity and ancestor worships, including grape, apple and Chinese pears. Chiang Rai's customs reports show that the fruit imports from China since the beginning of this month have reached over 800 tonnes, about three times higher than their non-seasonal figures. In other provinces, including Songkhla in the Thai South and Buri Ram in the Thai Northeast, the prices of the offering items used during the Chinese New Year festival, including poultry, pork and vegetables, have been on the rise. (TNA)