Booming Myanmar-Thai border trade, tourism

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, THAILAND, January 4 (TNA) - Cross-border trade and tourism between Myanmar and Thailand is booming, thanks to the potential of Singkhon Border Pass in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province in the Upper Thai South to support prosperity in the area in all aspects. Prachuap Khiri Khan's Muang District Chief Somporn Patchimphet on Monday confirmed the readiness in all aspects of the Singkhon Border Pass, located in Klong Wan Sub-district, for serving cross-border trade, investment and tourism growth in line with the Thai government's policy on domestic economic stimulus. Somporn told journalists that after the opening of the two countries' community market in the border area, international tourists appear to be very interested in both Myanmar and Thai products sold in the market. To further stimulate the local economy, Somporn acknowledged, the Thai side has already extended the staying period in Prachuap Khiri Khan by Myanmar nationals to four days and three nights per trip although the daily opening hours of the Singkhon Border Pass remain the same, from 08:30am to 6:30pm. Besides, the Myanmar side has allowed Thai products to be loaded off at a government complex at Myanmar's Mu Dong District, located about three kilometres from the Thai border, the measure of which has helped create economic value from cross-border tourism, trade and investment between Myanmar and Thailand by more than 20 million baht a month. According to the district chief, after the Singkhon Border Pass is upgraded to be a permanent border pass in the future, the value of cross-border trade between Myanmar and Thailand should increase to over 3 billion baht a month. (TNA)