Checkpoint reopening to boost Myanmar trade
The reopening of the Myawaddy border checkpoint is expected to bolster trade between Thailand and Myanmar, according to the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT).
Myanmar reopened the checkpoint, located opposite the Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in the Mae Sot district of Tak, on May 28, following a closure since August last year.
Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the DFT, said the reopening is a positive sign for border trade as this route is a major gateway to Myanmar’s key economic areas.
The move enables Thai businesses to revive exports of consumer products, construction materials, electrical appliances, automobiles and auto parts, and other industrial goods in high demand in Myanmar, she noted.
While the reopening is expected to improve logistics efficiency and reduce transport costs, the recovery of border trade depends largely on Myanmar’s import control measures, said Mrs Arada.
Myanmar’s import licensing system is linked to importers’ export earnings. Businesses wishing to import goods into Myanmar must have sufficient export earnings balances or be matched with parties that do in order to qualify for import approval.
As a result, the approval process has become more time-consuming, and certain products require case-by-case authorisation.
“While transport constraints have begun to ease, regulatory restrictions on imports, foreign exchange management policies, and the export earning matching system are critical factors influencing import decisions and the purchasing power of Myanmar’s private sector,” she said.
These issues will shape the direction of border trade during the second half of this year, noted Mrs Arada.
From January to April 2026, border trade between the two countries totalled 60.8 billion baht, down 14.4% year-on-year. Thai exports to Myanmar tallied 37.9 billion baht and imports were 22.9 billion baht.
Trade through the Mae Sot border checkpoint totalled 18.2 billion baht, down 39.8% year-on-year, with exports falling 42.5% to 13.4 billion baht, while imports dipped 30.4% to 4.75 billion baht.
The department is monitoring developments related to the reopening, Myanmar’s trade measures and foreign exchange policies, and the impact of border trade control measures introduced by Thailand’s Defence Ministry.
Mae Sot district was designated as a controlled area for imports and exports as part of efforts to prevent and suppress scam-related businesses, said Mrs Arada.
She said the DFT was coordinating with relevant agencies to facilitate trade, reduce export obstacles for Thai entrepreneurs, and support the sustainable recovery and growth of Thailand-Myanmar border trade.
Source – Bangkok News
