Bridge to Laos will boost regional trade
The first Myanmar-Lao Bridge, connecting Tachileik and Luang Nam Ta, will be completed next year and it is expected to significantly boost the economy and benefit people on both sides of the Mekong.
Thai-Myanmar-Cultural and Economic Cooperation Association and Chiang Saen International Institute for Skill Development recently surveyed the progress of the US$26 million bridge across the Mekong. They pointed out that its strategic location makes commuting very convenient. The distance between Tachileik in Myanmar to Mae Sai in Chiang Rai is just 50 kilometres.
Phakaimas Weerra, president of the association, said that the bridge will enhance the livelihoods of communities on both sides, and will improve transportation from Chiangsan in Thailand’s Chiang Rai province and Jinghong city in the far south of China’s Yunnan province. The bridge will create a more convenient gateway for trade between the two cities, he said.
The two lane Myanmar-Lao Bridge will span 691 metres and can support up to 75 tonnes. It is expected that not only land but also marine transport will benefit once the bridge opens. New communities are likely to spring up on both sides of the bridge, the two organisations forecast.
“This is an important cooperative effort between the Lao and Myanmar governments. It also has the potential to develop more tourist destinations. The area will certainly witness fast economic growth,” said Phakaimas.
The bridge will bring more traffic and make the area safer for those operating maritime transport, the two groups said.
Pattana Sitthisombat, president of the Committee for the Economic Quadrangle 10 Chambers of Commerce, Northern Thailand said that the link will spur business and investment by reducing travel time and making transport more convenient.
“Chiang Rai province in particular will also receive benefits from the new infrastructure as it completes the land and maritime transportation. It will help reduce costs and shorten time,” he said.
Sirichai Kunabutr, chief of the customs’ checkpoint in Chiang Rae’s Mae Sai district, said that Thailand’s customs’ department had already prepared for the influx of cross-border trade once the bridge opens. More goods will flow through the checkpoint from Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, Sirichai said.
The customs department is preparing to install X-ray detection systems and qualified officials to facilitate more trade once the bridge opens to serve a rising number of traders.