Road financed by Thai government given to Myanmar

TAK, THAILAND, September 1 (TNA) - The Thai government has presented a road linking Tanao Sri Mountain Range in the northwestern Thai border with Myanmar’s Kawkareik Town to the neighbouring country to facilitate goods transportation and boost investment between the two member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who oversees national economy, and Myanmar’s Vice President U Nyan Tun jointly presided over a ceremony to deliver the road in Tak's Mae Sot District on Tuesday. The two leaders also jointly presided a ceremony to kick off the construction of the Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, set to be completed by 2017. Fully financed by the Thai government at a total cost of 1.32 billion baht, the 45.45-kilometre-road will facilitate cross-border goods transportation and boost investment between the two neighbouring countries. Besides, the new road will support a Thai government-sponsored special economic zone in Mae Sot and the new Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge. Officials said the Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge should support the development of the East-West Economic Corridor, while also promoting tourism, trade and investment of the two neighbouring countries. Currently, border trade in Mae Sot stands about 60 billion baht annually and it is hoped to further increase after the Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge is opened for public services. (TNA)