Thailand urgently looks into obstacles to cross-border trade with Malaysia

BANGKOK, 25 September 2015 (NNT) - Thai-Malaysian border trade was raised to a meeting of the committee in charge of border trade and investment promotion with neighbouring countires today after exports of Thai rubber and electronic products have dropped, Minister of Commerce Apiradi Tantraporn revealed.

Trade barriers between Thailand and Malaysia was the main issue discussed at the meeting as the Thai-Malaysian border trade accounted for fifty percent of the total border trade revenue that Thailand made in a year. In 2015, border trade is set to bring in to the country a total of 1.5 trillion baht.

The minister said that the committee is set to make a field trip to Songkhla to look into and solve the problems collaboratively with other units. She pointed out that some problems could be solved in a short period such as the establishment of Duty Free Zone, the setting up of new tax refund points at Sadao border crossing and extension of the border closing time, etc.

The minister emphasized that all of the problems would not be solved without integreted cooperation of all units. She hoped the meeting would be a good chance for Thailand to develop its efficiency in response to the arrival of ASEAN Community that is to start with ful effect on 1 January 2016.

-- NNT 2015-09-25

face and jealousy the 2 unmentioned obstacles

They should be best trading partners a both have corrupt governments looking after only themselves. The only obstacle would be who gets the largest slice of the commission.

It`s just crazy. The hubs of slavery and crimes.

I think they need to model trade on their human trafficking experience, that seems to work well.

Trade barriers? What of the upcoming free trade environment?

Protectionism rules.

CORRUPTION / EXTORTION RULES

This border area is a cesspit, with multiple levels of parasites on both sides. Last year it cost me over 100,000 Bht to transport my 20ft container from Hua Hin to Johor....excluding crane costs at either end. Nobody wanted to take on the contract, because of the hassle involved. For that sort of money you can send a 40ft container from Europe.

EVERYTHING concerning Thailand and Malaysia is a shambles. They can't even get their act together on Car Insurance. Twenty years ago I could drive throughout the EU on my British insurance.

"urgently looks into" my ass. If there is less money involved, the Thai government will not be involved.

PERIOD,

"urgently looks into" my ass. If there is less money involved, the Thai government will not be involved.

PERIOD,

"urgently looks into" my ass.

Would anything significant be visible?

Why "urgent?"

I thought the ASEAN Community was intended to solve trade problems between member borders. Borders and tariffs would essentially disappear like with the EU and NAFTA.

It would seem with the Thai government's distress with the future of cross-border trade with Malaysia may reflect a fear that Malaysia will gain much more economic benefit than Thailand. Thailand wants to be the hub for the ASEAN Community but only for EXPORTS and not imports.