ASSESSMENT OF THE ROUTES POTENTIAL TO SUPPORT THE TRANSPORTATION OF FISHERY PRODUCTS FROM MYANMAR TO THE NORTHERN AND NORTHEASTERN REGIONS 1 OF THAILAND AND NEARBY AREAS OF LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

Abstract

This research studied and assessed the potential of fisheries transportation routes from the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the consumers in the northern and northeastern region 1, which consists of Udon Thani, Loei, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Nong Khai and Bueng Kan provinces of Thailand, Xayaboury, Luangprabang, Vientiane and Vientiane Capital of Laos PDR in 5 and 10 years framework. The result shows that the important sources of fishery products from the Republic of the Union of Myanmar are from Yangon and Myeik. The important and potential import channels are road transportation by truck from Yangon to Maesot checkpoint in Tak province and road transportation from Myeik to Singkhon checkpoint in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Both transportation channels will be able to reduce the transport distance by an average of 50.96 and 24.85 percent, respectively, and also reduce the transit time by an average of 77.61 and 53.04 percent, respectively, when compared with the main route from the ports of Yangon and Myeik to Ranong port. The suitable transportation mode for fishery products in Thailand in the next 5 years is road transport by using refrigerated trucks from Maesot and Singkhon checkpoint to the designed destinations in Thailand. For the study area in Laos PDR, the product could be transported by trucks and the Laos-China railway. In the next 10 years, although the construction of double-track railway has been completed on time and able to connect other countries in the region. However, with the limitations of rail transport with low mobility coupled with the characteristics of fishery products that the consumers want the products are fresh. Therefore, road transport is still suitable and could be the best to meet the needs of consumers.