First Day Of Border Market Sees Brisk Trade

[george]

First day of border market sees brisk trade

MAE HONG SON, Feb 16 (TNA) - Crowds of tourists and locals flocked to the Baan Huay Phueng Market on the Thai-Myanmar border in Thailand's northern province of Mae Hong Son for the first day of trade yesterday, with Bt1-2 million estimated to have changed hands.

Opened by Mae Hong Son Governor Suphot Laowansiri, the market attracted a huge number of Myanmar traders eager to ply their wares to an estimated 1,000 Thais who had come to the border to spend a bit of cash.

Touted as the first step in the province's forays into border trade, the market will eventually become a centre for the sale of goods from both sides of the border.

Mr. Phoolsak Suntharapanitchakij, head of the provincial chamber of commerce, expressed confidence that the market would become the focal point for the distribution of Thai goods to Myanmar's Taungyi State.

Local tourism operators, including Mr. Issaret Phusara, head of the Mae Hong Son tourist liaison centre, hope that the market will also help attract tourists to this northern province, and that it will eventually be opened up as a permanent checkpoint allowing tourist access to Myanmar.

--TNA 2005-02-16