The 1st Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge is a bridge crossing over the Moei River, connecting Mae Sot District in Tak Province, Thailand with the town of Myawaddy in the Union of Myanmar. The bridge is located at Tha Sai Luat sub-district along Highway No.105 (Tak - Mae Sot route).
The bridge, made of concrete, is 420 meters long and 13 meters wide, with two traffic lanes. It serves as a gateway connecting the Andaman to Indochina and forms part of the Asian Highway Network, connecting Thailand to Myanmar and further to Southeast Asia, East-Central, and Europe. It was officially opened on August 15, 1997, contributing significantly to the development of cross-border trade.
The 1st Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, for over 26 years, has greatly influenced the travels between Thai and Myanmar citizens and served as a primary route for import and export between both countries. As a result, Tak Province has become one of Thailand's top special economic development zones. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) backed the establishment of the East West Economic Corridor (EWEC), a link from Vietnam through Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar, continuing to Bangladesh, India, and further to Central-East and Europe.
However, following the outbreak of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), the 1st Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge was closed in 2020, along with the rise of tension in the Kayin State, particularly along the Asian Highway 1 (AH1), which is the main transport route between Thailand and Myanmar via the Myawaddy – Mae Sot border checkpoint. The bridge was reopened on January 12, 2023.
As for border crossing, Thai tourists and those residing in Mae Sot District can cross or drive across by obtaining a temporary border pass at the Mae Sot Immigration Checkpoint, subject to fees on both Thai and Myanmar sides, and vehicle insurance fees as applicable. More information can be sought from the immigration checkpoint.
For foreign tourists crossing the border, they need to present their passport at the Thai immigration checkpoint for a free entry stamp. On the Myanmar side, a fee is charged at the immigration checkpoint, currently 10 dollars (subject to changes), for a day trip from 05.30 to 20.30 hrs. From the checkpoint, foreign tourists can travel within Myanmar up to a distance of 2 kilometers.
Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand
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