Myanmar’s trade with its ASEAN neighbour Thailand cannot help but be affected by the closure of crossing points along the countries shared border, a senior government official says.
U Khin Maung Lwin, assistant secretary at the Ministry of Commerce said on Monday that Thailand has closed several gates along the Thai-Myanmar border to goods and people and will allow only goods through two crossing points as part of efforts to curb the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The Thai government first announced the closure of the Mae Soat- Myawaddy Friendship Bridge No.1 in Kayin State on March 21.
This was then followed by the closure of Friendship Bridge No. 2 on Monday. The latest closure will mean that only goods can move through Friendship Bridge No. 2.
Elsewhere, Thailand also closed the Tachileik, Htee Khee, and Mawtaung border gates to both people and goods on Monday. The entry of people, goods and vehicles at the permanent and temporary crossing points in Ya Naung District will also be suspended until the situation returns to normal.
According to a statement issued by the Ya Naung district government on March 22, only goods will be allowed through the Saphanpalar Passenger Port at Ya Naung – Kawthaung permanent crossing point.
Myanmar has stopped allowing foreigners entry into the country via the border gates and only goods vehicles will be allowed through, said U Khin Maung Lwin.
“Although Thailand closed Tachileik gate, goods can still go through Myawaddy gate. Trade is not completely halted but there will be effects as the flow of goods is now restricted. It is still too early to say what the overall effects will be,” said U Khin Maung Lwin, adding that representatives of both countries will need to discuss issues related to trade and the border closure.
Myanmar’s main export through Myawaddy is maize and some US$1.5 million of the crop is sent to Thailand annually.
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