Mae Sot and the Myanmar market town of Myawaddy face each other across the Moei River. The Friendship Bridge connecting the two locations is one of five official crossing points between Thailand and Myanmar.
The bridge is an important part of the trade route linking the two nations as well as a convenient international crossing point for foreign tourists wishing to activate additional portions of multi-entry visas. Governor Hattayatanti said there were several reasons for increasing the operational hours for the bridge.
He explained by saying that cross-border trade at Mae Sot was worth THB50 billion every year and this would likely increase with extended opening hours on the bridge. He added that the second key reason was the forthcoming integration of the Asean Economic Community which is due to happen in 2015.
The 20:30 closure of the Friendship Bridge is 2 hours 30 minutes later than at present. For those early birds, the bridge will also open 30 minutes earlier in the morning and the new scheduled opening time will be 05:30.
Thai-Myanmar border crossing to open later
News in Asia
The Thai province with the responsibility for the Mae Sot border crossing with Myanmar says it will be open longer in the new year. Somchai Hattayatanti, the governor of northern Tak Province, says the bridge linking the Thai town to Myawaddy will open until 20:30 every evening from 1 January.