Thailand, Myanmar to build bridge

Thailand, Myanmar to build bridge

THAILAND: Thailand and Myanmar agreed Sunday to build a new
"friendship" bridge linking the two countries in an effort to
boost cross-border trade, Thai officials said Sunday.

Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and Transportation
and Communication Minister Wan Muhamad Nor Matha made a one day
visit to Myanmar's Tachilek to discuss the plan with Myanmar
intelligence chief Khin Nyunt and Foreign Minister Win Aung.

Surakiart told a press conference that the bridge would cost
about 25 to 30 million baht (US670,000), to be drawn from Thai
government coffers, and would be some 60 meters long and nine
meters wide.

"It will take about seven or eight months to complete, and we
hope it will help stimulate economic trade between Thailand and
our neighboring country," he said.

The meeting to discuss the new bridge, which will be built
about four kilometers east of an existing structure, was
scheduled during Khin Nyunt's landmark visit to Thailand last
month.