The kingdom is one of several Southeast Asian countries to host a North Korean embassy, and once enjoyed valuable economic ties with the reclusive regime. "It's expected that by late 2017 there will be no export or import of goods between Thailand and North Korea," said Pimchanok Vonkorpon, director of the Thai Commerce Ministry's Trade Policy and Strategy Office. The US remains frustrated that international sanctions on North Korea have not resulted in Pyongyang halting its nuclear and long-range ballistic missile tests. But sanctions against North Korea have started to bite. The UN and the US have called on Southeast Asian leaders to do more to sever ties with North Korea.

Source: The Nation Bangkok December 14, 2017 10:23 UTC