A new bridge linking Mae Sot district of Tak to Myawaddy helps boost transport between the two countries. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)
Bangkok (VNA) - Thailand and Myanmarexpect to have cars travelling on routes between both countries this September,in a move set to bolster the regional economy.
Each country will be granted 100 licences fortheir transport operators who can drive into the inner areas of the countries, includingthree routes to Yangon and a port near the Thilawa Special Economic Zone inMyanmar, and Bangkok and Laem Chabang port in Chon Buri, Thailand’s LandTransport Department chief Phiraphon Thawonsuphacharoen said.
The two countries are selecting and examiningoperators' qualifications, he said, referring to to a process required by theGreater Mekong Subregion Cross-Border Transport Agreement.
The routes, which start from Myawaddy-Mae Sotborder checkpoint are aimed at supporting international tourism and logistics,Phiraphon said.
Drivers from Thailand can begin their trips inTak's Mae Sot district and cross the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge to Yangonand Thilawa port. Those from Myanmar can choose from two options - theMyawaddy-Mae Sot checkpoint-Mukdahan route and Mae Sot-Bangkok-Laem Chabangroute.
Thailand has also signed the same cross-bordertransport agreement with Laos, Vietnam, Phiraphon said.
Thailand fetched 1.4 trillion THB (44.5 billionUSD) from cross-border trade in 2018, up 6 percent over the previous year, butfalling short of the set target of 1.5 trillion THB.
Thailand’s border trade with Laos, Myanmar,Cambodia, and Malaysia reached 1.12 trillion THB – with exports making up 650.9billion THB, down 0.5 percent; and imports worth 473.76 billion THB, up 11percent.
Malaysia was the biggest partner for bordertrade, followed by Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.-VNA
The 2nd Thai–Myanmar Friendship Bridge across the Moei River, linking Mae Sot district in Thailand’s Tak province and Myawaddy in Myanmar has been open to traffic.
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A new bridge linking Mae Sot district of Tak to Myawaddy helps boost transport between the two countries. (Photo: bangkokpost.com) 
