Thailand and Myanmar Launch Business Forum to Boost Border Economy

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing jointly opened the Thailand–Myanmar Business Forum 2026 on August 6, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at the Sirikit National Convention Centre. Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Permswatviwat revealed that Prime Minister Srettha and Myanmar's President Min Aung Hlaing addressed the forum on the theme "New Chapter and Future of Enhancing the Thailand–Myanmar Business Partnership," organized by the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Association and Myanmar's Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with over 700 representatives from both countries in attendance.

The Prime Minister expressed pleasure at opening the event with Myanmar's president and emphasized that Thailand and Myanmar are ready to enter a new chapter of economic cooperation based on mutual trust, confidence, and shared prosperity for both peoples, regardless of political circumstances. He stressed that governments have a responsibility to ensure citizens enjoy quality of life, employment, income, and hope for the future, and that economic progress must continue steadily.

Srettha noted that over decades, Thailand's and Myanmar's private sectors have been crucial mechanisms linking the two economies through investment, employment, and opportunity creation. Myanmar is now a major economic partner of Thailand, with bilateral trade valued at over $7.4 billion, with significant growth potential. Thai investments in Myanmar span energy, manufacturing, transport, logistics, telecommunications, real estate, and tourism.

In discussions with Myanmar's president, both sides agreed to push forward concrete economic cooperation in multiple areas. On trade, both parties welcomed reopening the Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge connecting Mae Sot and Myawaddy, and committed to removing regulatory barriers to restore full trade capacity quickly. They also plan to consider opening additional border checkpoints in ready areas to facilitate border trade and promote regional economic development.

Thailand will host a joint trade commission meeting between both countries' commerce ministers to push bilateral trade toward a $12 billion target and revive the vibrant Thailand-Myanmar border trade atmosphere this year. On investment, the Prime Minister confirmed Thai private sector confidence in Myanmar's long-term potential and readiness to expand investment in sectors with joint capacity, including energy, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, and future industries.

The Thai government will fully support business through reducing obstacles, streamlining procedures, and improving unnecessary regulations. On energy, both sides will continue existing cooperation projects and accelerate necessary processes to jointly strengthen energy security, plus establish a working group to promote connectivity and push infrastructure development.