On 11 May 2013, Myanmar authorities held an opening ceremony for a border trade post at Htee Ki, Tanintharyi Region, opposite Ban Pu Nam Ron temporary point of entry, Kanchanaburi Province, in order to promote cross-border trade between Thailand and Myanmar. Representing the Thai side at the ceremony were Mr. Chaiwat Limwattana, Governor of Kanchanaburi Province, and representatives from related Thai agencies. After the ceremony, H.E. U Myat Ko, Chief Minister of Tanintharyi Region, along with representatives from Myanmar’s public and private sectors, visited Kanchanaburi Province, reflecting the close ties between the two countries. 

The Ban Pu Nam Ron - Htee Ki Border Checkpoint is an important gateway for Thailand to the Dawei Special Economic Zone Project in Southern Myanmar.  Ban Pu Nam Ron was declared a temporary point of entry by the Ministry of Interior on 22 June 2012 to facilitate the development of the aforementioned project.

Thailand has proposed that  Ban Pu Nam Ron - Htee Ki  Border  Checkpoint be  upgraded to the status of international border checkpoint.  This would contribute to border area development and enhance economic opportunities, which would benefit the peoples on both sides of the border.  In the meantime, the Thai authorities concerned are working closely with Myanmar towards the expected opening of an international border checkpoint at Ban Pu Nam Ron - Htee Ki in early July.

Earlier, on 8 May 2013, Myanmar also opened a border trade post at Maw Taung, Tanintharyi Region, opposite the Singkorn border area point of entry, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.  Both sides will soon conduct a joint detail survey of the area, which would lead to the opening of Singkorn - Maw Taung international border checkpoint in the near future.