Bangladesh and Thailand are planning to launch direct coastal shipping, connecting the Chittagong Port in the Bay of Bengal with the Ranong Port in the East of the Andaman coast in south-western Thailand. Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Saida Muna Tasneem said: “Both Bangladesh and Thailand are planning to start direct coastal ships. The coastal communication between Bangladesh and Thailand will take place with the help of Chittagong and Ranong ports. Goods shipped between the two countries currently pass through Singapore and take two weeks, a time period that should be cut to six days with direct shipping, according to a Thai transport official.