Traders call for border reopening

The volume of goods traded with Myanmar through the border in Chiang Rai is expected to grow twofold if Myanmar agrees to reopen the checkpoint in Mae Sai district, according to Chiang Rai’s Chamber of Commerce.

In line with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, the land border between Thailand and Myanmar in Tak was reopened yesterday to spur the economy along the shared border.

However, the checkpoint in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district, which lies directly opposite Tachileik in Myanmar’s Shan state, remained closed to general traffic as of yesterday.

Pakaimas Vierra, vice-president of Chiang Rai’s Chamber of Commerce, said the volume of goods traded through Chiang Rai will nevertheless increase, as the border with Laos — which provides a connection to China — is open to all traffic.

A trade summary from Chiang Rai’s Office of Commercial Affairs showed trade…