BANGKOK, 4 February 2012 – The Customs Department is expected to achieve a tax revenue collection of 105 billion baht in 2012 as targeted.
Despite the fact that Thailand’s participation in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) as well as the existing financial aftermath of last year’s flooding could lower the Customs Department’s tax collection revenue in 2012, Customs Department Director-General Somchai Poolsavasdi expressed his confidence that the department would be able to collect tax revenue of 105 billion baht as targeted.
Regarding cross-border trade between Thailand and Myanmar, Mr. Somchai disclosed that it has been expanding, particularly in Mae Sot district of Tak and Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai. He said the department is seeking to establish a permanent border customs checkpoint in Kanchanaburi to serve as an additional connecting node with Myanmar.
In 2011, revenue from Thai-Myanmar border trade was recorded at 151 billion baht, accounting for 11.9 percent of the total annual cross-border trade revenue.
