Thai-Myanmar Border Trade Recovers; Rice G2G Talks with China Highlighted

Matichon•Economy•4h ago

Reader Briefing

Reopening of the Mae Sot border crossing signals a swift recovery for Thai-Myanmar trade, while upcoming G2G rice negotiations with China are under review.

•The Mae Sot border crossing between Thailand and Myanmar reopened on May 28, 2026, following a nine-month closure due to unrest.
•Mae Sot Customs checkpoint is the busiest Thai-Myanmar border trade point, with a trade volume of 78,284.4 million THB in 2025.
•The Ministry of Commerce is preparing to propose new criteria for government-to-government (G2G) rice sales to China to the National Rice Policy Committee.
•The Thai Ministry of Commerce is organizing border trade fairs in Chanthaburi and Sa Kaeo to mitigate the impact of Malaysia's shrimp import suspension.

Overview

•On May 28, 2026, Myanmar reopened the Second Friendship Bridge border crossing in Mae Sot, Tak, due to proactive coordination with Thai authorities.
•Myanmar unilaterally closed the Second Friendship Bridge on August 18, 2025, due to internal unrest, resulting in a closure of approximately nine months.
•On May 28, 2026, at approximately 02:00, Myanmar authorities contacted the Mae Sot Customs checkpoint requesting the immediate reopening of the Second Friendship Bridge.
•The reopening of the Mae Sot border crossing is expected to lead to a rapid recovery in short-term Thai-Myanmar border trade, particularly for consumer goods and agricultural products.
•In 2025, the Mae Sot Customs checkpoint recorded a trade volume of 78,284.4 million THB, an increase of 3% compared to the previous year.
•Myanmar approved import licenses for Thai goods valued at 620 million THB, including consumer products.
•The Ministry of Commerce will organize border trade fairs in Chanthaburi (June 19-22, 2026) and Sa Kaeo (July 9-12, 2026) to assist businesses affected by Malaysia's shrimp import suspension.
•The Department of Foreign Trade will present proposed guidelines for government-to-government (G2G) rice purchase negotiations and contracts to the new National Rice Policy Committee for consideration before proceeding with new price negotiations with China.

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Key Quotes

Arada Fuangtong

"This reopening, in the short term, will bring a rapid recovery to Thai-Myanmar border trade, especially through the Mae Sot Customs checkpoint in Tak."

การเปิดด่านครั้งนี้ ระยะสั้นการค้าชายแดนไทย-เมียนมา โดยเฉพาะด่านศุลกากรแม่สอด จ.ตาก จะกลับมาฟื้นตัวอย่างรวดเร็ว

Arada Fuangtong

"In the long term, it will be beneficial for Thailand's border trade as it is a main border trade route for Thailand and Myanmar."

ส่วนในระยะยาวจะเป็นผลดีต่อการค้าชายแดนของไทย เนื่องจากเป็นเส้นทางการค้าชายแดนหลักของไทย-เมียนมา

Key Entities

Person

Arada Fuangtong(นางอารดา เฟื่องทอง)

Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade who provided updates on border trade and rice negotiations.

Organization

Department of Foreign Trade(กรมการค้าต่างประเทศ)

Government agency providing information on border trade and G2G rice sales.

COFCOℹ️

The Chinese state-owned food processing and trading company that is a recipient of Thai rice under the G2G agreement.

National Rice Policy Committee(คณะกรรมการนโยบายและบริหารข้าวแห่งชาติ)

The committee that will review and approve the criteria for government-to-government (G2G) rice purchase agreements with China.

Thai Farmers and Agriculturists Association(สมาคมชาวนาและเกษตรกรไทย)

An association representing farmers who plan to propose measures to the National Rice Policy Committee.

Internal Trade Department(กรมการค้าภายใน)

Government department that issued an invitation for the Thai Farmers and Agriculturists Association to attend a National Rice Policy Committee meeting.

Place

Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge No. 2(สะพานมิตรภาพ ไทย-เมียนมา แห่งที่ 2)

The border crossing point between Thailand and Myanmar in Mae Sot, Tak, which has recently reopened.

Tak Province(จ.ตาก)ℹ️

The Thai province where the Mae Sot border crossing is located.

Mae Sot(แม่สอด)ℹ️

The district in Tak Province that hosts the key border crossing point with Myanmar.

Mae Sot Customs Checkpoint(ด่านศุลกากรแม่สอด)

The specific customs facility at the Mae Sot border crossing responsible for trade.

China(จีน)ℹ️

The country involved in current government-to-government (G2G) rice purchase negotiations with Thailand.

Chanthaburi Province(จ.จันทบุรี)ℹ️

One of the locations hosting a Border Trade Fair between June 19-22, 2026.

Sa Kaeo Province(จ.สระแก้ว)ℹ️

One of the locations hosting a Border Trade Fair between July 9-12, 2026.

Timeline

March 2026(มีนาคม 2026)

The month when the first batch of 40,000 tons of rice was delivered to COFCO.

June 11(11 มิถุนายน)

The date for a scheduled meeting of the National Rice Policy Committee, inviting farmer associations.

2025/69

The agricultural production year for which the 1,000 Baht per rai subsidy is relevant.

Law

1,000 Baht Per Rai Subsidy Program(โครงการสนับสนุนไร่ละ 1,000 บาท)

A government subsidy program for farmers, with outstanding payments proposed for urgent release.