Recently, there has been news of fresh road construction efforts in Burma’s borderlands and, in particular, of a road link from Bangladesh to Burma. According to reports, the first stage to be built is a 25-kilometer border crossing funded by Bangladesh. This initial construction includes what has become an almost obligatory component of the ongoing frenzy for cross-border development – a “Friendship Bridge”.
The border region through which this road will travel is controlled by the Burmese Army’s Western Command. Apparently, “the road is [considered] important for Burma to promote trade and tourism with Bangladesh”.
Major roads now obviously link Thailand and China to Burma, and a road from Bangladesh is an important new direction for regional transport linkages. I have little direct experience of Burma’s western borderlands but certainly welcome any comments from New Mandala readers who can tell us more.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Jon Fernquest // May 2, 2007 at 5:03 pm
This Rohengya ethnic group area of Buthi-daung and Myaung-daung resembles the Mae Sot area in being engulfed in turmoil for decades. I guess there is some modicum of peace nowadays?
There is very little info on the history of this area, either recent or in the distant past (except for Moshe Yegar’s book) that I am aware. If you find anything, please let us know.
2 Global Voices Online » Myanmar: Road to Bangladesh // May 2, 2007 at 7:37 pm
[...] Mandala has a post on the new Friendship Road that is being built to connect Myanmar and Bangladesh. Road links between Myanmar and its western neighbors (India and Bangladesh) are not as developed [...]
3 Guenther Wagner // May 16, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Funny, all this talk about friendship roads and trade. Sure, in a normal country you would expect that there is a connection. But in Burma? I have seen three of those “major” roads: the Kalay-Imphal (India) road, the Tachilek-Kengtung road and the Lashio road. If you would sit down at one of these with the aim of counting the trucks coming along, you could as well try to do that in your favorite local dead-end street. Well, it’s no secret, if there is any trade going on at all it’s not going along these roads; and the only way to boost trade is to get rid of this government. And before this happens, the roads will probably be washed away by many a monsoon rain.
But yes, it might still be a good thing that they are build anyway.
4 t t sachdev // Apr 12, 2008 at 4:04 am
we will hop india all so mad road to thialand from burma?
5 Shakib // Sep 7, 2008 at 3:31 am
i am from malaysian and liveing in malaysia most 5 years and i have two cars in malaysia, so i am planing to have a advature trip to malaysia to bangladesh …. call my elder brother and together we are gonna travel and check out how is the road link with bangladesh. i request maynmer govt. to help us when we travel…
+60166376773
6 Kalam Azad // May 22, 2009 at 6:55 am
Hallo everyone,
I am Kalam Azad born in Bangladesh but living and working in the Netherland. I am dutch citizen. I am going to travel from Netherland to Bangladesh not by plane but by train/bus.
My journey wil start from Arnhem( Netheland) – Moskow by train, 290 Euro and takes 36 hours, From Moskow-beijing by train,419 Euro and takes 7 days and 7 nights, From Beijing-Hanoi by train, 297 Euro and takes about 36 hours, From Hanoi-Laos by bus, laos to Thailand by bus and train.-Thailand-Myanmar/Burma-Bangladesh i wil see what next
I hope i wil enjoy my journey and it wil be a enjoyable time . I hope also it wil be a great experiences of my life.
But i am wondering about From Thailand to Myanmar and from Myanmar to Bangladesh by bus/train ?????
I hope The Myanmar gov. wil let me enjoy my trip and making a long journey. If it wil be ok ,i hope Myanmar gov. can let more tourists to travel Myanmar and can earn foreign money bc it wil be a great route for the tourists to travel east and south east asia also Russia to Europe.
Thanx everybosy And take care
7 Kalam Azad // May 22, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Hallo everybody,
I am again to give you more information about my journey. Last time i told about my journey but i forgot some information to exam. i / you need also visa for BELARUS, RUSSIA, CHINA, VIETNAM< LAOS. If you are Europian citizen ,dont need visa for Thailand until 30 days.
Visa cost for each country aproximately 70 euro. I dont know what and how about eat and drink in the train ???
From Hanoi to Vientiane have to have bus service bc there are no trains in Laos. Cost 15- 20 maximaum and time 20- 24 hours. From Vientiand to Nong Khai thailand and Bangkok you can travel by bus and train , time 15 hour and cost 20 euro apx.
Hotels in Hanoi cheaper if you book earlier you can get free transfore service from train station to hotel and hotel to station.
I am not sure yet about Myanmar to Bangladesh ??
i hope it wil be also smooth and enjoyable.
thanx again.
8 Shah // May 24, 2009 at 2:57 am
travelling on land (through
Myannar to bangladesh) is a no no thing. If any one have done it. would LOVe to know.
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