The Department of Foreign Trade revealed positive signs as Thailand and Myanmar push to revive border trade and boost economic value following the Myanmar leader's visit to Thailand, with plans to hold a JTC meeting within 2026 to address trade barriers.
Mrs. Arada Fuengthong, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, stated that the official visit of Mr. Min Aung Hlaing, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, to Thailand from 6 to 7 August 2026 is a significant milestone in Thailand-Myanmar relations that could be a "turning point" in restoring cooperation in economy, trade, and investment after both countries faced limitations due to Myanmar's situation over recent years. Discussions between the two leaders covered key issues including trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, energy, environment, labor development, and trade facilitation. The Thailand-Myanmar Business Forum 2026, under the theme “A New Chapter in Thailand - Myanmar Business Partnership,” reflects both sides' commitment to elevate their economic partnership to a new level.
The Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade added that this visit comes at a time when Thailand-Myanmar border trade remains a primary economic driver despite facing challenges from regional unrest and Myanmar's trade measures. Statistics show that in 2025, Thailand and Myanmar had total trade worth 244.051 billion baht, with border and transit trade reaching 199.112 billion baht, representing more than 81% of total trade value. This indicates that trade between the two countries heavily relies on border routes, especially the Mae Sot checkpoint in Tak province, which is a major gateway connecting to Myawaddy city. However, entrepreneurs have faced challenges including border checkpoint closures, import license requirements, foreign currency regulations, transportation issues, and security concerns, which have increased trade costs and affected business confidence.
Thus, it can be said that this high-level discussion serves as a "Political Signal" reflecting the serious commitment of both governments to promote economic cooperation, especially in reducing trade barriers and facilitating border trade.
Another important issue is Thailand's proposal to hold the Joint Trade Commission (JTC) meeting within 2026 as a vital mechanism to systematically discuss and address trade obstacles, including improving import procedures, reducing non-tariff measures, facilitating customs operations, and developing logistics networks and border trade connectivity. Meanwhile, the Thailand-Myanmar Business Forum 2026 provides a platform for private sectors from both countries to meet, exchange business information, and build trade networks, which will further investment cooperation and create new business opportunities in the future.
The Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade concluded that the Myanmar president's visit to Thailand is not merely a reciprocal high-level visit but a crucial opportunity to lay the foundation for a new economic cooperation that could lead to the recovery of Thailand-Myanmar border trade and drive stable and sustainable growth of the border economy.
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