Ban Huak temporary border checkpoint in Phayao province’s Phu Sang border district will be upgraded to permanent status next year to boost trade and investment with Khop district in Sayaboury province of Laos.
Waradisorn Onnut, chief of Phu Sang district, said on Wednesday that preparations were well in hand.
The move was part of a border development plan to facilitate trade and investment between Phu Sang and Khop in Laos, where the crossing is known as Pang Mon.
He had learned that local authorities in Laos had received about 1.4 billion baht in funding from the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) to build a road and develop Pang Mon border checkpoint, to an international checkpoint next year, as part of preparations for the establishment of the Asean Economic Community.
"On our side, we have already prepared everything, including a budget and human resources to upgrade Ban Huay checkpoint to be a permanent crossing point. However, a conservation forest zone in Phu Sang national park is needed for the planned permanent checkpoint. Permission is being sought for use of the land,’’ the district chief said.
Banthom Somsuwan, head of Phu Sang national park, said the conservation forest zone included about 28 rai that district authorities wanted to use for the checkpoint. He had already forwarded the request for use of the conservation forest area to higher authorities, as his agency supported border development.