The deputy prime-minister of Thailand, Somkid Jatusripitak, joined his counterpart for the inauguration ceremony of the stretch of the highway linking Thinggan Nyenaung to Kawkareik in Myanmar. This section of the highway is only short yet has cut average travel times between the two places by two thirds to 45 minutes.
Thailand is helping pay for the construction of the highway close to the Myawaddy-Maesot Friendship Bridge. The groundbreaking ceremonies for the highway took place back in 2012.
When completed this trans-Asian route will run from Moreh, in the northeast Indian state of Manipur, to the Friendship Bridge across the River Moei and the Thai border town of Maesot. It will travel via Tamu and Mandalay in Myanmar and on to Myawaddy and the border.
Although the primary reason for improving transport links between the three nations is trade there is already talk of establishing bus routes along part of it. 12GO ASIA sells tickets to Maesot from locations in Thailand including Khon Kaen, Pattaya and Bangkok.
New Delhi Bangkok Asian highway closer to reality
News in Asia
An international highway connecting India and Thailand came closer to reality last week. On Sunday, dignitaries from Thailand and Myanmar attended the dedication of the first 26km section of the route from Moreh to Maesot.