Myanmar will not reopen the long-closed Phaya Thonzu border crossing with Thailand before the controversial boundary is formally demarcated.

Myanmar Minister of Commerce Than Myint told the House of Representatives (lower house) on June 9 that border trade activities and cross-border movement can only be made after the demarcation.

The matter of reopening of the border crossing was submitted to the Thai-Myanmar Joint Boundary Committee in 1999 and 2002, but was rejected by Myanmar.

The Phaya Thonzu border crossing was opened in 1993 but was closed in 2007, forcing a halt in commodity flow, and triggering unemployment in local people.

(Source: VNA)