The Thai Transport Ministry will seek 3.9 billion baht [K130 billion] to fund a second bridge spanning the Moei River between Tak province and Myanmar's Myawaddy town, with a billion baht of that going for construction on the other side of the river, reports the Bangkok Post on March 14.
Thai Transport Minister Prajin Juntong said March 12 that he ordered the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning to quickly finalise details of budget request that supports construction of the new bridge and its approaches. He estimated the construction cost on the Thai side at 2.9 billion baht and 1 billion baht in Myanmar, which asked Thailand to pay for half of the bridge, the minister said.
The cost of the bridge alone is estimated at 800 million baht, plus 1.6 billion baht for the approaches, 1 billion baht for border checkpoint buildings and 300 million baht for land expropriation. Initial field preparation started in Tak and the building should begin in September and finish in three years.