July 18, 2024

Due to intensified conflicts between the junta and armed resistance groups in Myanmar, Thailand-Myanmar trade has increasingly shifted from land to sea routes. This shift has led to a significant rise in trade activity at Thailand’s Ranong port, according to a report by the Bangkok Post.

The ongoing clashes within Myanmar have disrupted traditional land trade routes along the border, making sea transport a more viable option for trade between the two countries.

“Reopening the Thailand-Myanmar border trade routes would be ideal. The bridge project linking Thailand and the Andaman Sea relies heavily on the reopening of these routes. Currently, arrangements are being made at Ranong port to handle more goods from Myanmar,” said Manaporn Charansri, Thailand’s Minister of Transport.

The bridge project, spearheaded by the Thai government, aims to bolster Thailand’s economic development. Once completed, it is expected to increase the regional GDP from 2% to 10%. The project is also anticipated to boost the economic growth of the surrounding areas, create more job opportunities, and establish Thailand as a crucial player in maritime trade in the future.

The shift to sea routes highlights the adaptability of regional trade in response to political instability and emphasizes the strategic importance of infrastructural projects like the Ranong port and the new bridge in enhancing Thailand’s economic resilience and regional trade capabilities.

Photo Credit: Bangkok Post