The crossing hours at Thanlwin Bridge (Mawlamyine) in Mon State have been officially revised to allow passage only between 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM daily, according to travellers.
Since the military coup, the bridge’s crossing hours had been set from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM. However, due to current security concerns and a desire to prevent nighttime crossings, the hours have been further restricted, according to a source close to the military junta.
A rescue team official explained that these new restrictions could delay the flow of goods, and that rescue teams will no longer be allowed to cross unless they are transporting patients.
“At first, it was from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Now, citing security reasons, it has been shifted to 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. They allow patients to cross, but fewer people travel during those hours. Starting at 6:00 AM is a bit inconvenient and causes delays. Although it’s only a one-hour difference, if patients leave Yangon at 4:00 AM, they won’t reach Thanlwin Bridge by 8:00 PM, so they won’t be able to cross,” the official said.
It has also been reported that the number of security personnel at bridge checkpoints has increased in recent days.
A source close to the military said that local township officials have not yet confirmed or publicly announced these new restrictions.
“The police and township administrators say they don’t know. There has been no official announcement yet. They only say that security is weak. They don’t want any night crossings at all. This affects local trade and also hospital and health-related transportation in Mawlamyine,” the source added.
Since the coup, nighttime crossing hours at Thanlwin Bridge (Mawlamyine) have frequently changed, forcing Yangon–Mawlamyine bus services to continuously adjust their schedules.
It has also been reported that Thanlwin Bridge (Bilin) is currently open only between 6:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
