The bridge over the river Moei connects the city of Mae Sot in Tak province of Thailand with the city of Myawaddy in Kayin state in Myanmar. It is expected to boost border trade between the two countries. The new bridge will allow to raise the volume and value of border trade exports by 25 percent from the present 80 billion baht to 100 billion baht.
The bridge is part of Thailand's East-West Economic Corridor. It is 760 metre long and has four lanes – two lanes in each direction. The construction of the bridge was completed earlier this year and costed 3 billion baht. The new bridge also features a one-stop-service for Thai and Myanmar immigration formalities.
The second Friendship Bridge will alleviate congestion on the old 420 m long Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge that connects Mae Sot with Myawaddy and is located in the vicinity. The first Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge opened on August, 15, 1997. On 15 August 2017, Thailand and Myanmar celebrated the 20th anniversary of the bridge's opening.
Second Thai–Myanmar Friendship Bridge to Open This Month
News in Asia
Thailand and Myanmar are going to inaugurate the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge. The opening ceremony is planned for October, 30 this year.