New Border Trade Checkpoint To Be Opened

[george]

New border trade checkpoint to be opened

MAE HONG SON: -- Thailand plans to open a new border checkpoint with Myanmar early next year.

The Thai authorities hope the border crossing will help boost local trade between the two countries.

The new checkpoint at Rong Haeng in Ban Rong Haeng, Maung District of the country's northern province of Mae Hong Son will be opened for local Thai and Myanmar residents although Rangoon has not officially opened border trade with Mae Hong Son, the provincial governor, Supote Laowansiri told TNA.

The area will also be opened as a tourist spot next year.

Tourists to the region are expected to be allowed to cross the border into Myanmar in the future, Mr. Supote said.

The Mae Hong Son provincial authorities hope that the opening of the Rong Haeng checkpoint will help attract more tourists to the province, in

addition to the current border trade point at Ban Huay Phueng.

Analysts believe the opening of the new trade point is a sign of close relationship between Mae Hong Son and Myanmar’s local governments, which has been largely unaffected by the political change in Rangoon last month when Myanmar Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyunt was deposed.

Traders along the border told TNA that Myanmar businessmen are building hotels in preparation for serving Thai and foreign tourists who are expected to cross the border at Rong Haeng into Myanmar in the future.

--TNA 2004-11-23