Myanmar Civil War Increases Sea Trade Activity at Thailand’s Ranong Port

Due to the civil war in Myanmar, goods are now being shipped via maritime routes, which has increased activity at Ranong Port in Thailand. This could be a significant benefit to the government's Land Bridge project. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri explained that conflict in Myanmar has disrupted overland trade, pushing business owners to ship their goods from Ranong Port instead of land routes through Tak’s Mae Sot district.

Manaporn directed the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) to make sure that Ranong Port’s infrastructure and staff were well-equipped for receiving the influx of goods from Myanmar. He said that the current situation presents an opportunity to revive maritime trade routes. “This is a chance to revitalize overland trade routes via Thailand’s southern seas… This will also boost the government’s Land Bridge Project which involves constructing a bridge linking the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea."

The aim of this project is to enhance the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC), linking it with the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), to generate extra economic value for Thailand.

The Deputy Transport Minister emphasized that the Land Bridge project would bolster the region's farming, cash crops, livestock, and local markets. This could potentially increase the region’s GDP from 2% to 10% by drawing in private investment. He also suggested that the project could lead to significant economic growth in the region through the creation of factories and industrial estates, increasing local employment opportunities. Manaporn expressed hope that Thailand could become a global center for sea logistics and cargo distribution.

The PAT’s Director-General, Kriangkrai Chaisiriwongsuk, revealed that Ranong Port recently welcomed its first cargo ships from Myanmar on July 5 and 8, originating from Yangon.

The first ship carried 39 containers of imported goods and went back with 56 containers of Thai exports. The second ship arrived with 56 containers and left with 35.

Kriangkrai stated that the goods imported to Thailand from these shipments included agricultural produce. The ships returned with electrical equipment and construction materials.

These changes indicate a considerable shift in the region's trade, with Ranong Port becoming a significant facilitator in the new maritime trade path between Thailand and Myanmar.

The increase in port activity both supports the Thai government's wider economic objectives and underscores the strategic significance of maritime infrastructure in regional trade and economic development.

File photo for reference only

-- 2024-07-17

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