CHIANG RAI, April 2 (TNA) – Thailand has reopened four
ports on the Mekong River that had been closed since March 21 due to the novel
coronavirus outbreak.
These ports in Thailand’s northernmost province of Chiang
Rai are normally handling large cargo volumes exported to and imported from
China.
Chiang Rai Governor ordered the closures of these ports as
well as cargo terminals and border crossings, leaving only two bridges over the
Mekong River in Chiang Kong and Mae Sai districts to remain open.
As the situation in China has improved, the Governor ordered
reopening of the ports in Chiang Saen to allow only cargo shipment.
The temporary closures of the ports have resulted in cargo
piled up at port terminals and shortages of daily necessities, not only in
Thailand but also in Myanmar’s border towns that rely on imports from
Thailand.
The operations of the ports are however limited to only
three days a week.
Travelers are still not allowed port entry.
Last year, the two-way border trade at Mekong River ports in
Chiang Kong district amounted to THB12 billion. (TNA)
