CNI News

23 April 2024

Myawaddy-Mae Sot No.1 Friendship Bridge has been closed indefinitely, an official from the immigration department in Myawaddy told CNI News. 

Because of the closure, border pass and passport holders were not allowed to use the bridge and it was not clear when the bridge would be re-open, he added.

" I still don't know when the bridge will re-open. The bridge has been closed for the time being. 7 and 14 day border pass holders have been suspended and so have passport holders. The Myanmar side has suspended." he said to CNI News.

The Myanmar side has closed the Myawaddy-Mae Sot Bridge since 21st April and the Thai side has opened regularly, according to the Thai media. However, the Thai authorities allow passport holders only to enter the Myanmar side reportedly.

Rumor has that the reason why the bridge had been closed was because the department had been short of necessary papers. However, it has not been exactly known. Some people consider it might be for the safety of government employees at the border post.

Hundreds of local residents are trying to flee to the Thai side because the battles are severely breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the KNLA/PDF joint forces near and around the Thai-Myanmar No.2 Friendship Bridge in Myawaddy, Karen State.

View in front of the Myawaddy-Mae Sot No.1 Friendship Bridge

Because an official channel had been closed, there might be a sharp increase in the number of people who would enter the Thai side illegally and brokers could exploit the situation, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the FED, told CIN News.

"Most of the people who fled for the time being are because of battles. Among those who fled might be migrant workers who will work in Thailand. But the Thai army and all the local organizations are watching carefully along the border. They will accept those who entered as refugees. They are making a list of the people who entered the Thai side. Brokers will take advantage of the situation including human trafficking, I think." he said.

Because of severe battles between the Tatmadaw and the KNLA/PDF joint forces, the number of Myanmar people who crossed Thaung Yin River and the bridges were about 3,000 reportedly.

Moreover, The Thai PM was to go to Mae Sot to know the situations including the arrival of Myanmar people to Mae Sot by the thousand as IDPs because of the battles breaking out in Myawaddy, according the Thai media.