Thailand-Myanmar Business Forum 2026 Draws 700 Participants
Over 700 business representatives from Thailand and Myanmar gathered at a major forum in Bangkok on August 9, 2026, to explore trade opportunities and strengthen economic ties between the two nations.
The Thailand-Myanmar Business Forum proved highly successful, with businesspeople from both nations enthusiastically attending presentations and conducting active trade negotiations. On August 9, 2026, Pisanu Suwannachote, chairman of the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Association, revealed the success of organizing the "THAILAND-MYANMAR Business Forum 2026" under the theme "A New Chapter in Thailand–Myanmar Business Partnership" at the Sirikit National Convention Centre during Myanmar President General Min Aung Hlaing's visit to Thailand.
The forum represents a significant milestone in business cooperation between the two countries and marks the first time Thailand and Myanmar have jointly hosted a business forum at this scale, attracting over 700 representatives from government, private sector, and economic institutions from both nations, plus more than 200 Thai and international media representatives. By inviting Thailand's Prime Minister and Myanmar's President to deliver keynote speeches, the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Association boosted confidence among Thai and Myanmar businesspeople. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening relations based on their long-standing friendship and mutual interests across all dimensions.
The leaders particularly emphasized developing cross-border transportation routes between the two countries, which serve as vital connectors for ASEAN and the Mekong subregion. They pledged to revise regulations to facilitate investors from both nations and reaffirmed their determination to revive brisk trade and investment atmospheres between the countries within the year. Currently, Myanmar ranks as Thailand's 22nd foreign trade partner and 7th within ASEAN, while Thailand serves as Myanmar's crucial trade and investment partner. Thailand is Myanmar's third-largest foreign investor with cumulative investment exceeding $4.6 billion, covering over 100 projects in energy, agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, logistics, and tourism.
Trade value between the two countries continues growing steadily, encompassing natural gas and agricultural exports from Myanmar to Thailand and imports of industrial goods, machinery, and quality consumer products from Thailand, with significant growth potential ahead. The business forum sessions proved highly popular among Thai and Myanmar entrepreneurs, particularly the "Business Opportunities in Myanmar" and "Business Clinic for Potential Investors" sessions, which drew capacity crowds. Attendees were eager to learn about current conditions for doing business in Myanmar from government and business representatives. Three other sessions—"Creating a Regulatory Environment Ready for the Future for Sustainable and Successful Business in Myanmar," "New Perspectives on Thailand-Myanmar Connectivity: From Existing Foundations to Future Opportunities," and "Unlocking New Frontiers of Thai-Myanmar Business Partnership: New Business, New Opportunities, and New Growth"—also drew equal interest, with representatives from both Thailand and Myanmar sharing knowledge.
