On 2-4 September 2024, Mr. Psusist Wongsurawat, Minister attached to the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, led a delegation from the South Asia and Central Division to visit Ranong province to explore the potential of Ranong Port and opportunities for maritime connectivity between Thailand and South Asian countries.

During the visit, the delegation met with Mr. Rachan Meenoi, Deputy Governor of Ranong, along with representatives from relevant agencies, such as Ranong Customs House, Office of Provincial Commercial Affairs Ranong and the Tourism Council of Ranong, to discuss the province’s policies and strategies on promoting border trade, developing the tourism industry, and strengthening maritime connections between Thailand and South Asian countries, as well as BIMSTEC members.

The delegation also met with the President of the Ranong Chamber of Commerce and representatives from the private sector to exchange views on strategies for developing Ranong Province into an international trade and transportation hub, particularly in maritime trade. The delegation also made a visit to Ranong Port, which currently serves as a maritime hub for border trade between Thailand and Myanmar. Ranong Port also has the potential to become a strategic point for distributing goods to South Asian countries and to serve as a major gateway for BIMSTEC and the Middle East. Plans are underway to expand the port’s facilities to accommodate the increasing volume of border trade and to upgrade its infrastructure to handle more cranes. These improvements are expected to enhance Ranong Port’s potential as a key logistics hub connecting the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal in the future without affecting the Landbridge project

Moreover, the delegation received a briefing from officials at Laem Son National Park on the development of the Landbridge project in Ao Ang area. They also visited the Ranong’s central fish market, the largest seafood auction center of the province and the southern region of Thailand, which has the potential to develop into a major seafood center for the Bay of Bengal in the future.