During 20 – 23 February 2018, Ambassador Jukr Boon-Long led a delegation of Thai Embassy officials and Thai businessmen to survey economic opportunities in Tanintharyi Region. The region has high potential for business collaboration since it is linked to Thailand via the border checkpoint in Kanchanaburi Province, the Special Point of Entry in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, and the border checkpoint in Ranong Province. On this trip, Ambassador was joined by 26 Thai businessmen from various sectors, including finance and banking, logistics and power, manufacturing and construction, food and beverage, tourism and services.

The delegation visited Dawei, the capital of Tanintharyi Region, and location of the Dawei Special Economic Zone (DSEZ), which is linked to the Thai-Myanmar border at Htee Kee – Phu Nam Ron, Kanchanaburi Province. From Dawei, the delegation travelled to Myeik, which is the main port of Tanintharyi Region, and has high potential for investment in fisheries, tourism, and electricity. The delegation then travelled to the Singkhon-Mawthaung border to cross over to Prachuap Khiri Khan Province on the Thai side and to survey the land route connecting the southern parts of both countries.  

During the trip, the delegation had the opportunity to pay a courtesy call on U Phyo Win Tun, Minister of Planning and Finance, U Kyi Hlaing, Minster of Electricity and Energy, U Ho Pin, Minster of Social Affairs and Municipalities, and Colonel Kyaw Zaya, Minister of Security and Border Affairs, of the Tanintharyi Regional Government. They also met with the Tanintharyi Region Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Myeik Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as     Dr. Punlop Singhaseni, Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, together with government agencies and representatives of the Thai private sector in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. In addition, Ambassador Jukr Boon-Long also paid a courtesy call on Daw Lei Lei Maw, Chief Minister of Tanintharyi Region.

During these meetings, Ambassador Jukr Boon-Long emphasized Thailand’s commitment to strengthen relations with Myanmar through connectivity, including the two lane road connecting the DSEZ to the Thai-Myanmar border, upgrading the Singkhon-Mawthaung border station to an international border checkpoint, and further promoting land and air connectivity. The Royal Thai Embassy seeks to open doors for Thai businessmen and to give them the opportunity to learn firsthand about the economic potential of various parts of Myanmar. With regard to Tanintharyi Region, the delegation learned of ongoing efforts to strengthen connectivity with Thailand, and investment opportunities in tourism, services, electricity, fisheries, and infrastructure.

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