Myanmarese residents resort to panic-buying at Thai border

CHIANG RAI, November 4 (TNA) - Myanmarese residents from Tachilek province of Myanmar crossed the border to Thailand to stock up on household goods due to prolonged shortages from flooding. Meanwhile, Thai exports through the Mae Sai border pass, connecting Thailand to Tachilek province, has dropped by over 30 percent. On Friday, flooding in Bangkok and nearby provinces and reports on shortages of consumer goods in many Thai provinces including Chiang Rai, have prompted Myanmarese residents, both consumers and retailers, to continue to flock to Thailand’s Mae Sai district. Jakkrit Uthensut, acting customs chief of Mae Sai, said shortages of consumer products in many areas of Thailand have caused panic buying at the Thai border for fear of prolonged scarcity. Meanwhile, the flood crisis has reduced Thailand's exports to Myanmar through the Mae Sai border by over 30 percent, especially of fuel, construction materials and products manufactured at flood-hit industrial estates. (TNA)