The Commerce Ministry is conducting a feasibility study into a project to develop Chiang Rai's Chiang Khong district into a cross-border economic zone and logistics hub, deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said on Monday.
The project aims to promote Thai and Asean exports through the R3A Highway, which is a significant logistics corridor for shipping produce and goods to and from Chiang Khong onward to both Kunming and Bangkok, as well as to boost trade to northern China and Europe in the future.
The government has approved a project to build an intermodal transport facility in Chiang Khong near the 4th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge which will serve as a gateway for cross-border trade along the North-South Economic Corridor, which links Thailand, Laos and key industrial zones in southern China.
The planned facility will support cross-border trade on the R3A route and link road and rail transport networks. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed early next year, Ms Rachada said.