The Cambodian-Thai Thma Da border checkpoint is scheduled to be officially launched in the next few months.

The checkpoint connects Pursat province’s Thma Da commune in Cambodia to Trat province’s Chamrak sub-district in Thailand.

Its official-status upgrade will further promote cross-border bilateral trade to achieve the goal of the two countries’ leaders – increasing the trade volume to $15 billion next year.

Last week, Pursat provincial governor Mao Thonin met with Trat provincial government officials to discuss launching the checkpoint earlier than planned.

“We hope that the governor of Trat province will speed up the process to open the border checkpoint as soon as possible for the benefit of the two countries,” he said.

Thonin called on the Thais to open the checkpoint five days a week, as the two sides currently only allow citizens of either county to cross three days a week.

“I hope Trat province continues to cooperate in facilitating the flow of agricultural products, handicrafts and trade,” he said, adding that Trat provincial governor Prasert Ruchathananont will discuss Cambodia’s proposal with Thai leaders.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation spokesman Koy Kuong could not be reached for comment on Monday for details of the checkpoint’s launch.

Cambodia Chamber of Commerce vice-president Lim Heng agreed that the opening of the border checkpoint with Thailand will facilitate trade between the two countries and will help attract investment to border areas.

“If the new border checkpoint becomes an official border checkpoint, it will be developed as a special economic zone. There will be investment in factories for producing exports to both countries,” he said.

Last year, bilateral trade volume reached $8.3 billion, up 35 per cent from 2017. Thailand’s exports to Cambodia amounted $7.6 billion, figures from the Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh show.