The Asian Highway connecting Hpa-An, Kawkareik, and Myawaddy—an important route for Thailand–Myanmar border trade—has reopened after nearly three years of closure, with small vehicles beginning to travel again, according to local sources.
The road was reopened by the military junta on April 2. However, only motorcycles, private cars, and small passenger vehicles are currently allowed to pass, while large cargo trucks remain restricted, according to a resident of Myawaddy.
“At the moment, 12-wheel trucks and large vehicles are still not allowed. The No. 2 Friendship Bridge has not reopened yet, and the trade zone is also still closed. Only the main road has reopened, so only small vehicles can travel,” the resident said.
As of this morning, around 400 motorcycles, private cars, and small passenger vehicles were reported to be using the route, according to a source familiar with the road conditions.
An opening ceremony for the Kawkareik–Myawaddy section of the Asian Highway was held on the morning of April 2 in Tadar Oo village, Hpa-An Township. Officials from military junta departments attended the event and welcomed travelers with soft drinks.
Vehicles traveling from Myawaddy to Kawkareik are reportedly able to reach their destination within about one hour without security checks.
“With the road reopened, transportation has become much more convenient than before. We heard that travel along the route is now smooth,” another local resident said.
The highway had been closed since the fourth week of December 2023 due to ongoing fighting, which disrupted Thailand–Myanmar trade flows and forced goods to be transported through alternative routes.
With the reopening of the Asian Highway, traders and local residents are calling for the reopening of the Myawaddy–Mae Sot No. 2 Friendship Bridge and the Myawaddy trade zone.
Efforts to resume border trade were discussed between the military junta’s foreign minister and Thailand’s foreign minister during a meeting in Phuket in February. The Thai side also proposed that ethnic armed organizations could help facilitate border trade.
