Prachuap Governor inspects ‘reopening readiness’ of Dan Singkhon checkpoint

KHLONG WAN, MUEANG: Prachuap Khiri Khan Governor Dr. Sathien Charoenruen led a team of officials to inspect the readiness of personnel and facilities in anticipation of reopening Dan Singkhon border checkpoint to cross-border trade and traffic.

The Thailand-side border checkpoint – officially named “Dan Singkhon Boundary Post” (ด้านผรมแดนสิขร) – was closed in December 2020 by an official order citing pandemic response fears. Following that, limited relief  transfer of goods between Prachuap Khiri Khan province and Myanmar’s Myeik region has been facilitated through the Dan Singkhon “Special Relief Point”. 

At present, goods can be transferred through the relief point from Monday to Saturday, 8.30 to 4.30pm, though the cross-border movement of people and vehicles is still restricted. 

Looking to revive economic activity at and through the strategic and historic pass connecting Thailand and Mayanmar, officials inspected all concerned office facilities, including Customs, Immigration and  Quarantine.

Officials discussed cooperation and preparation needs with concerned departments in anticipation of resuming dialogue with Myanmar counterparts concerning ‘pandemic containment’ mitigation measures to predicate the formal reopening the border to traffic and cross-border trade as soon as possible. 

They also inspected the area planned to be used as a market for dried goods and food – the parking lot next to the checkpoint’s main government building, speaking to local merchants and traders who have been adversely affected.

Prior to the border closing, annual cross-border trade at Dan Singkhon was estimated to be worth more than a billion Thai baht (US$ 27 million). 

See also news published in Thai language here.