Govt expects stronger border trade in 2017

Adul Chotinisakorn, deputy director-general of the department, said border trade this year was forecast to grow by 2.8 per cent from the 2015 level, to Bt1.47 trillion. In the first 11 months, border trade was up by 1.27 per cent year on year to Bt1.33 trillion.
To promote border trade, the department will encourage the upgrade of temporary border checkpoints to permanent ones. These will include the Baan Laem and Baan Pak Kard checkpoints in Chanthaburi province, Singkhon checkpoint in Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Tha Li checkpoint in Loei province.
Adul said that the department would also encourage Thai enterprises to invest and trade more in neighbouring countries, including those under the Young Entrepreneurs Network Development Programme.
The department will encourage the private sector to establish distribution and trans-shipment centres in both Thailand and neighbouring countries. 
A large distribution centre in Pathum Thani province covering more than 1,000 rai (160 hectares) will be established next year. It will be a one-stop service for Thai traders to store goods in warehouses for later distribution in four neighbouring countries.
Moreover, the Thai private sector will next year open City Square Depart-ment Store in Shan State, Myanmar. This new department store will be an efficient channel for the sale of Thai products in Myanmar, Adul said.