Myawady-Maesot Friendship Bridge I slated to reopen on 12 Jan

 

Myawady-Maesot Friend­ship Bridge I is scheduled to be reopened on 12 January 2023, traders from the border area said.

According to Thailand’s me­dia outlet, a ceremony to reopen the bridge will be convened by Myanmar officials and Thailand counterparts at 9:30 am on 12 January 2023.

In recent days, officials con­cerned held a meeting regarding the resumption of bridge activity in Tak Province. After a series of negotiations, Thailand’s au­thority notified the people of the reopening of the bridge.

The Immigration Office in Myawady has been issuing border pass document servic­es from 9 January 2023 to go to Maesot.

For a border pass document, Myawady residents can apply for it by presenting a citizenship scrutiny card, household regis­tration and three pictures of the licence photo size.

That bridge is the major bor­der trading route between My­anmar and Thailand. COVID-19 cases shut down the border crossing on 23 March 2020. The border trade activity is therefore being carried out at Bridge II. Yet the travellers are not allowed to pass the bridge.

Additionally, sending Myan­mar migrant workers to Thai­land under an MoU system has been implemented via Bridge II, causing some difficulties for the returnees.

To have smooth transport, attempts were made previously to reopen the Bridge I. However, it has been closed down for near­ly three years amid coronavirus infections in both countries. It will be reopened soon.

After reopening the bridge, it will bring about job opportu­nities for locals and freight for­warders.—NN/EMM