Tariffs on frozen pork will drop from 12 percent to 8 percent. (2) Thailand’s Commerce Ministry reports that exports in November dropped 7.39 percent year on year, while imports decreased 13.78 percent due to the global economic slowdown, baht appreciation, and the ongoing China-US trade tensions. Exports to China increased 2.3 percent year on year in November, while exports to the US dropped 2.6 percent. Exports decreased 2.77 percent year on year in the first 11 months, while imports fell 5.22 percent. December 25
Tourist arrivals in Thailand increased 5.92 percent year on year in November, according to Thailand's Tourism and Sports Ministry. Visitors from China rose 18.33 percent year on year in November. Tourist arrivals in the first 11 months of this year totaled 35.87 million, an increase of 4.44 percent year on year.
December 27
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) signs a contract with China Railway Signal and Communication (CRSC) to supply train signaling and communication equipment worth 6.25 billion baht for the Nakhon Pathom-Chumphon double-track rail upgrade project. The supply is expected to be completed in 3 years. The contract is one of the 3 separate contracts involving the first phase of the double-track upgrades.
December 28
Cambodia opens the 6th trade center in Kunming, Yunnan Province to further promote bilateral ties in trade, investment, culture, and tourism with China. The other 5 centers are located in Guangzhou, Xi'an, Haining, Hong Kong, and Yantai.
December 29
China’s Commerce Ministry says at the ministry’s year-end meeting that China will continue to strengthen the domestic market, encourage highlevel opening-up and ensure high-quality development of trade and investment in 2020. A target of 2020 is to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects. 70 The Chronology