Product Offerings
Products:
Export Documentation: Certificates of Origin (Form D/E), FTA verification
The Office of Provincial Commercial Affairs Mae Hong Son (สำนักงานพาณิชย์จังหวัดแม่ฮ่องสอน) operates under the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, serving as a regional hub for trade facilitation, SME development, and economic monitoring. Located in the remote mountainous province of Mae Hong Son, bordering Myanmar, the office is integral to fostering inclusive economic growth in this diverse and culturally rich area.
Core Mission
The office’s central mission is to promote equitable economic development by supporting local businesses, enhancing trade readiness, and implementing national commercial strategies at the provincial level. It plays a crucial role in integrating ethnic and community-based enterprises into the broader Thai and ASEAN economies.
Services & Functions
The Office of Commercial Affairs Mae Hong Son provides comprehensive support across multiple trade and development domains:
- Export Documentation & Trade Facilitation:
- Issuance of Certificates of Origin (Form D/E)
- FTA compliance verification for goods exported to ASEAN, China, and beyond
- SME Business Advisory:
- Guidance on product development, packaging, pricing strategies, and branding
- Mentoring for OTOP (One Tambon One Product) producers to enhance market access
- Market Monitoring & Data Reporting:
- Weekly price updates on essential commodities, agricultural products, and fuels
- Surveys of consumer markets and seasonal economic trends
- Training & Capacity Building:
- Workshops on digital trade, e-commerce, value-added processing, and cross-border compliance
- Trade Promotion Activities:
- Organizing local product fairs, cross-border trade events, and participation in national expos
- Business matching between Mae Hong Son producers and international buyers
Specialisation & Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
- Border Trade Development: Positioned near key border crossings with Myanmar, the office facilitates cross-border trade and supports customs collaboration.
- Support for Ethnic and Artisan Products: Focused on empowering ethnic hill-tribe groups to participate in economic activities through training, marketing, and logistics support.
- Eco-product & Organic Promotion: Mae Hong Son is known for herbal teas, fermented foods, natural textiles, and handmade crafts—all supported for domestic and export growth.
- Tourism-Tied Commerce: Develops commercial synergies with eco-tourism by promoting local souvenirs and agricultural tourism products.
Economic & Regional Impact
- Facilitates trade services for over 600 local businesses annually, with a strong focus on agriculture, crafts, and food products.
- In 2023, coordinated 8 provincial and cross-border trade events, generating over THB 9 million in direct sales and trade commitments.
- Played a key role in helping local OTOP producers access over 50 national and international retail platforms through packaging improvements and quality certifications.
- Maintains real-time commodity price tracking across 7 districts, supporting pricing transparency for farmers and vendors.
Target Audience
- Local Producers & Farmers: Needing export advice, pricing insights, and branding strategies.
- SMEs & OTOP Vendors: Seeking training in food safety, digital marketing, and packaging.
- Cross-border Traders: Engaged in formal and informal commerce with neighboring Myanmar regions.
- E-commerce Entrepreneurs: Benefiting from workshops on Shopee, Lazada, and LINE commerce.
Capabilities
- Export Support Infrastructure: Digital tools and staff for documentation, trade advisory, and FTA guidance.
- Provincial Event Management: Organizes training sessions, trade expos, and buyer-seller matchmaking.
- Data Analytics: In-depth surveys on product trends, regional consumption behavior, and seasonal price fluctuations.
- Collaborative Programs: Works with educational institutions and NGOs on community economic development.
Certifications & Institutional Framework
- Governed by the Ministry of Commerce
- Operational alignment with:
- Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP)
- Office of SMEs Promotion (OSMEP)
- Department of Internal Trade
- Thailand Border Trade Development Programs
Community Testimonials
“Their guidance helped us rebrand our herbal tea packaging and get listed on Thai e-commerce platforms. Now we receive orders from all over the country.”
— Hill-tribe Herbal Cooperative, Pai District
“The training on online business models completely transformed how I run my textile store. We went from a local customer base to shipping nationwide.”
— Handwoven Textile Vendor, Mae La Noi
Major Achievements
- Led the Mae Hong Son OTOP Export Boost Project, supporting more than 150 small producers to scale their products.
- Partnered with Border Trade Task Forces to simplify customs documentation and improve infrastructure at remote checkpoints.
- Helped Launch ‘Mae Hong Son Premium Products’ Brand as a provincial identifier for quality and authenticity.
- Integrated Digital Training Initiatives in collaboration with Thai Post and local universities for SME digital transformation.
The Office of Provincial Commercial Affairs Mae Hong Son stands as a vital enabler of inclusive, sustainable economic growth—bridging cultural heritage, geographic isolation, and market opportunity through targeted commercial strategies.