On March 22, 2025, Mr. Phichai Naripthaphan, the Minister of Commerce, led a high-level executive team from the Ministry to Ubon Ratchathani province for the second Sanjai trade fair in the Northeast region. The event coincided with the opening of the Northeast Thailand CLMV Business Forum 2025, aimed at enhancing trade and investment cooperation between entrepreneurs from 20 provinces in northeastern Thailand and businesspeople from Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar. This initiative reflects the growing economic interconnections among ASEAN countries.
During his remarks, Mr. Phichai emphasized that the Sanjai trade fairs serve as a vital vehicle for the Ministry of Commerce's ongoing commitment to engage with different regions across the country. “We aim to expand trade, facilitate investment, and integrate business knowledge,” he stated. Given that bilateral trade with neighboring countries reached an impressive 1.81 trillion baht in 2023—an increase of 6.1%—the Ministry underlines the importance of fostering regional collaboration.
Mr. Phichai shared that the Thai economy observed a striking growth trajectory in exports, with figures from February showing a 14% increase, building on January’s growth of 13.6%. The first two months of 2025 witnessed an impressive average export growth of 13.8%, marking the highest rate observed in a decade. The Minister noted, “Since this government took office, the export performance for the first five months of 2025 has averaged 11.8%, highlighting its critical role in driving economic resilience.”
The Northeast Thailand CLMV Business Forum 2025 featured over 40 booths showcasing goods and services, including food, beverages, handmade products, health supplements, and local fabrics. The business-to-business negotiations held at the forum resulted in 13 successful partnerships worth over 11 million baht, with expectations for additional deals worth at least 20 million baht.
Moreover, in response to inquiries about supporting local entrepreneurs, the Ministry introduced a “Business Advisory Clinic” to assist in business development and market expansion initiatives. Following the formal launch of the event, Mr. Phichai engaged with business operators from Ubon Ratchathani, including representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and YEC Biz Club. Through these discussions, he aimed to understand local perspectives and drive economic development.
“The government and the Ministry of Commerce will exhaust every avenue to support the private sector because a robust private sector drives overall national progression,” Mr. Phichai affirmed during his visit.
In a parallel initiative, on the same day, Mr. Phichai visited the Chong Mek border area, where he emphasized the importance of stabilizing the cassava market crucial for sustaining local farmers’ incomes. The Ministry has ramped up its scrutiny on cassava imports through the Chong Mek checkpoint in Ubon Ratchathani, a crucial border crossing into Laos.
“Currently, the cassava market is experiencing consistent growth, especially in China, reflecting significant demand from various sectors, including food, alcohol, and livestock feed,” Mr. Phichai noted. He detailed that as of mid-March 2025, total orders for cassava and other related starch products had reached an estimated 1.74 million tons, valued at 10.981 billion baht, with potential exports expected to exceed 1 million tons.
In an effort to safeguard Thai farmers against low pricing pressures in the cassava market, Mr. Phichai asserted the Ministry’s commitment to implement stricter import regulations. Earlier data indicated that in January 2025 alone, imports of cassava decreased by 32% compared to the previous year. “This initiative will ensure that the local farmers receive fair prices and that inferior products do not inundate the market,” he affirmed.
In addition to the increased inspections, the Ministry introduced measures restricting the movement of significant quantities of fresh cassava and cassava chips to certain regions without prior authorization, stressing penalties for violations. Mr. Phichai pointed out, “We recognize that our farmers are facing challenges due to falling prices; our collective effort is to address these issues on various fronts while streamlining trade through borders.”
Chong Mek border crossing is pivotal between Thailand and Laos, located about 90 kilometers from Ubon Ratchathani, providing a unique overland access route, unlike other crossings that require river passage. In the first two months of 2025, the Chong Mek Customs checkpoint recorded exports valued at 3.393 billion baht and imports of 5.880 billion baht, positioning it as a critical hub for regional trade. Notably, the main imported products included cassava chips, electricity, and various raw materials, while exports comprised fuel oil, plastics, and machinery.
Looking ahead, the ongoing growth in border trade is promising, with the Ministry aiming for cross-border transactions to constitute an increasing share of Thailand's exports—estimated to reach 30-40% in the coming years. “As trade values increase, we also anticipate growing trade surpluses, fostering mutual economic benefits across the region,” Mr. Phichai concluded.
With these initiatives, both the Sanjai trade fair and the meeting at Chong Mek symbolize the Thai government's concerted efforts to reinforce local businesses while enhancing international trade bonds, fostering a resilient economic environment.
