New checkpoints to Myanmar

Bagan

Good news from Myanmar, the untouched jewel destination in South-East-Asia.

After depressing news of riots in different places in Myanmar over the last weeks, I was totally happy to read about the well going progress between Myanmar and their neighbouring countries.

The Union of Myanmar made Thailand some proposals for new border checkpoints in February. Now, Thailand agreed and the first border will open on May 8th. It will be the already temporary used checkpoint in Singkhorn, in Prachuap Khri Khan Muang district. The closest big city on the side of Myanmar is Mortong Town.

The other passes are Three Pagodas Pass which connects to Mynmar's Phayatongsu town and the third permanent checkpoint will be Ban Nam Pu Ron. Both are south of Singkhorn and in Kanchanaburi too.

Singkhorn is an international checkpint between this countries from then on. Thailand hopes to boost the economy of this districts with opening some checkpoints.

I heard in Myanmar already about plans for opening more checkpoints to Thailand, Laos and China during my visit in 2012. But in fact, that the loudly announced "Visa on arrival" for tourist is still not available, I thought this are also nothing more than empty words. Though I am quite surprised and staisfied to hear progress in other ways.

Another construction set commence these days. A new bridge over the Mekong river will link the Xiengkok river port of Luang Namtha province of Laos with Kainglap in Myanmar. It should be open for traffic in 2015.

However, nice to see they approach one another....

In the streets of Mandalay