Border trade with Laos increased after AC formation

NONG KHAI, May 18 (TNA) -- The value of border trade between Thailand and Lao PDR via the Nong Khai border has hiked after the ASEAN Community (AC) has been formed since the end of last year, and is showing signs of further rise in the remaining quarters of 2016. Head of the Nong Khai Commercial Affairs Office Ms Chonticha Laddawan said that trade between the two neighbours in the first quarter of 2016, or between January to March, has a total value of 15.435 billion baht, dissected into 13.718 billion baht for exports and 1.717 billion for imports. The figure showed an increase of about 1.003 billion baht when compared with the same period in 2015, which is a hike of about 6.95 per cent. The commerce official further noted that the top three exported products from Thailand into Lao PDR are petroleum oil, 4WD vehicles, and carbonated and other sugared beverages, adding that the top three imported products from Laos include 3,000 cc or less diesel pickup truck, cables and ready-to-use vehicle cables, as well as the upper sole of shoes. She projected that trading between both sides would continue to expand for the remaining quarters of this year, as Laos PRD has planned for ongoing infrastructure development which means the neighbouring country would order more construction materials from the Thai side. (TNA)