Steady volume of Thai-Chinese trade anticipated at Mekong River port.

Byline: Phitsanu Thepthong

Jan. 6--CHIANG RAI, Thailand -- Thai trade with southern China through Chiang Saen is expected to see little growth this year, even as authorities strive to make the Mekong River port a main gateway for traders in the region.

Imports through the port from China for the first 11 months of 2004 were worth 1.38 billion baht, up from 1.19 billion the previous year.

According to the Chiang Rai provincial commerce office, Thailand had a trade deficit of nearly 90 million baht with China in October, with exports worth only 40 million baht, mostly dried lamyai and bananas, compared with imports worth 126.5 million baht, mostly …