May 16,2022
THE Myawady-Mae Sot bridge was not reopened on 15 May although it was reported that it would be reopened, according to locals.
There are rumours that it will be opened on 15 May. In the meantime, the bridges on both sides are being cleaned, and they said that such a bridge is likely to open today. The bridge was not open until 7 am today, so it is certain that it has not reopened today, said driver Ko Zaw Gyi from Myawady.
The bridge will be reopened, but local authorities in Tak District have barred Myanmar nationals for crossing the border, making it difficult for the Myanmar returnees to go home. Thais are allowed to go anywhere in their country, but Myanmar migrant workers are barred from doing so under local orders. The bridge will be ready to give service after relaxing the local orders, Ko Zaw Gyi added. After more than two years of closure, Thai authorities cleared the gates of Mae Sot on the Thai side of the border on 1 May. Officials from the two countries began talks on 5 May to reopen the bridge after cleaning and painting the steel frame on 4 May. Negotiations are underway to reopen the bridge in Thailand, but no announcement has been released on the Myanmar side, locals said.
Thailand closed 17 border crossings between the two countries within two years to control of COVID-19, and officials reopened some border crossings in May in accordance with COVID rules and allowed MoU workers from Myanmar to enter Thailand.— TWA/GNLM
