Representatives from Chiang Mai are visiting Chiang Tung in Shan State in Myanmar to tighten the trade relationship.

In the past, the five Chiangs, which include: Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Tung, Chiang Rung (currently referred to as Jinghong in China), and Ching Thong (which is now Luang Prabang in Laos) used to have great relationships with each other. So to help strengthen the relationship in the present day, delegates have been sent to visit Chiang Tung during May 2-4, according to Pairoj Kullawanich from Chiang Mai’s Office of Commercial Affairs.

The talks include opening new border checkpoints, discussions about the hazards of cross-border wildfire smog, and enhancing transportation cooperation between the two cities. The two cities are expected to sign a sister city pact in the future, but since the Thai government now has a caretaker government, the pact signing has been postponed.

Medical staff from Chiangmai-Ram Hospital have also travelled with the visiting group and will provide medicine to Chiang Tung, and business operators from Chiang Mai are also showing off their products in Chiang Tung.