Authorities have decided to shift Thailand-Myanmar border trade in western Kanchanaburi province to the Ban Pu Nam Ron permanent checkpoint, replacing the Three Pagodas border pass, which connects to Payathonsu town in Myanmar’s Karen State.
Kanchanaburi Governor Athisan Intra told reporters that the provincial border command center, comprising relevant security units, agreed on the decision this week for national security reasons.
He stated that the new location will initially serve only cross-border traders, while cross-border deliveries of goods will be postponed until an ongoing road improvement project on the Myanmar side is completed.
Meanwhile, First Army Area Commander Lt. Gen. Amarit Boonsuya said that cutting border trade through the Three Pagodas-Payathonsu border pass is necessary to curb illegal trafficking of workers and drugs from the neighboring country.
Both the provincial governor and the regional army chief took a field trip to inspect the Ban Pu Nam Ron permanent checkpoint and visit state personnel stationed in the area.
According to authorities, local economic stimulation through cross-border trade must be pursued in parallel with the Thai government’s policy of ensuring public security.
The Three Pagodas-Payathonsu border pass is also one of the sensitive border areas where power services supplied to Myanmar border zones have been cut off, as ordered by the Thai government, to address ongoing issues related to human trafficking and scamming gangs in the neighboring country.
