Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Myawaddy reopens to traffic

06 Jan 2023

The No. 1 Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Myawaddy reopened to traffic on January 5. (Photo: B One)

DMG Newsroom
6 January 2023, Myawaddy, Kayin State

The No. 1 Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge over the Moei River in Myawaddy, Kayin (Karen) State, which had been closed for three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and political instability, has reportedly reopened to traffic as of January 5.

“The Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge reopened to traffic yesterday. Officials from the two countries carefully coordinated the matter and reopened the bridge,” said an official at a border checkpoint in Myawaddy.

The bridge is only allowed use for goods delivery and temporary traffic from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., according to officials of the border trade gate.

A border trader said that due to the reopening of the Friendship Bridge, trucks are moving today and goods are being transported.

“I have to say that the border gate has reopened. The reopening of the bridge also made it convenient for the two countries to exchange goods,” the official said.

Despite the reopening of the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, Myanmar people in Mae Sot, Thailand, want visa-free travel between the two countries to be restored as soon as possible.

“Since the bridge pass is only for traders, it would be better if the officials could also provide services for cross-border [services/needs/transactions],” said a Myanmar citizen in Mae Sot who asked for anonymity.

The No. 1 Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge was closed for almost three years, from last year 2020 to December 2022, due to the impact of Covid-19 and political instability.