The Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge 2 is expected to open in May to facilitate cross-border transport of goods over the Thaungyin River in Myawady, Kayin State, Deputy Minister for Construction U Kyaw Lin said.

U Kyaw Lin told the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (parliament) on Monday that Thailand shouldered the cost of constructing the bridge.

With the bridge construction, border control facilities are also being built at the Thai and Myanmar border, he said.

Built under the Cross-Border Transport Agreement that Myanmar signed in 1992, the bridge is aimed at facilitating transport of people and goods and vehicle travel among the six member countries of the Greater Mekong sub-region: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and China.

He added that the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge 2 will allow people, vehicles and goods to enter Myawady border town and continue travelling to Pha-an, Yangon and Pathein.

Myanmar citizens can also travel freely to Greater Mekong sub-region countries through Thailand, according to Deputy Minister U Kyaw Lin.