Bilateral Trade Situation between Myanmar and Thailand (as of 7 March 2022)

22 มีนาคม 2565

The border trade between Myanmar and Thailand hit USD 2,191.365 million as of 4 March 2022, according to a statistical report of Myanmar’s Ministry of Commerce. The bilateral trade between Myanmar and Thailand was dropped significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, political instability, depreciation of the local currency, and trade policy changes causing tremendous obstacles to traders from both sides. However, the increased demand in Myanmar is the main driving factor contributed to the bilateral trade expansion between the two countries.

Normally, Myanmar conducts border trade with Thailand through seven trading posts which are Tachileik, Myawaddy, Kawthoung, Myeik, Hteekhee, Mawtaung, and Meisei. Among them, Myawaddy is the most active border post with the highest trade value of USD 1,109.936 million, followed by Hteekhee at USD 817.539 million. This reflected a significant increase of USD 420.151 million compared to the same period last year. Myanmar primarily exports natural gas, fishery products, coal, tin concentrate (SN 71.58 percent), coconut (fresh and dry), beans, corns, and bamboo shoots to Thailand. Meanwhile the nation imports from its neighbouring country capital goods such as machinery, raw industrial goods such as cement and fertilizers, and consumer goods such as cosmetics and food products. 

In March 2022, the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) allowed Bhat/Kyat direct payment for trade at Thai – Myanmar border to facilitate easy access to cross – border payment, smooth trade flow, and boost bilateral trade. According to the Myanmar Ministry of Commerce, the bilateral trade between Myanmar and Thailand stood at USD 998 million in FY 2020-2021, USD 5.1 billion in FY 2019-2020, USD 5.5 billion in FY 2018-2019, USD 2.9 billion in the mini-budget year of 2018 (April – September 2018), USD 5 billion in FY 2017-2018, USD 4.3 billion in the FY 2016-2017, USD 4.8 billion in the FY 2015-2016, USD 5.7 billion in the FY 2014-2015, USD 5.6 billion in the FY 2013-2014, USD 4.7 billion in the FY 2012-2013, and $4.5 billion in the FY 2011-2012, respectively. (FY = Fiscal Year)

Myanmar’s border trade with foreign countries reached over USD 2.67 billion in the 2021 – 2022 mini-budget year. Overall, the country’s export via border gate earned USD 1.94 billion while its import shared USD 730 million. Myanmar’s border trade decreased by USD 1.92 billion in this financial year, compared with the same period last financial year (USD 4.59 billion). Myanmar mainly exports agricultural products, animal products, marine products, minerals, and forest products. Meanwhile manufacturing goods and other capital goods, intermediate goods, and consumer goods are imported into the country.

No.	Station	(1-10-2021 to 4-3-2022)			(1-10-2020 to 4-3-2021)			Increase/Decrease
		Export	Import	Trade Volume	Export	Import	Trade Volume	Export	Import	Trade Volume
	Myanmar-Thailand	1459.349	732.016	2191.365	1252.78	518.434	1771.214	206.569	213.582	420.151
1.	Tachileik	22.184	32.308	54.492	132.836	25.753	158.589	-110.652	6.555	-104.097
2.	Myawaddy	474.561	635.375	1109.936	198.213	344.821	543.034	276.348	290.554	566.902
3.	Kawthaung	138.579	6.953	145.532	135.713	23.095	158.808	2.866	-16.142	-13.276
4.	Myeik	19.120	37.476	56.596	23.517	38.290	61.807	-4.397	-0.814	-5.211
5.	Nabulae/Htee Khee	798.292	19.247	817.539	756.522	19.089	775.611	41.770	0.158	41.928
6.	Mawtaung	6.613	0.657	7.270	5.979	0.903	6.882	0.634	-0.246	0.388
7.	Sittwe					66.483	66.483		-66.483	-66.483

USD in Million

Source: Ministry of Commerce

ที่มา: Global News Light of Myanmar
           https://www.gnlm.com.mm/trade-via-hteekhee-border-rises-by-273-67-mln-in-mini-budget-period/

       https://www.gnlm.com.mm/myanmar-thai-border-trade-plummets-by-238-mln-this-year/

       Myanmar Ministry of Commerce (https://www.commerce.gov.mm/)