India-Myanmar-Thailand Highway Becomes Operational : The Myawaddy-Thinggan Nyenaung-Kawkareik section of the Asian highway linking India, Myanmar and Thailand has been put into service. With the 25.6-km-long section becoming operational, travel time between Thinggan Nyenaung and Kawkareik will be reduced from three hours to 45 minutes.
Myanmar Vice President U Nyan Tun, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak and Chairman of the Kayin National Union General Saw Mutu Sae Po attended an inaugural ceremony of the service.
The construction of the Asian highway section started in 2012 with the assistance of Thailand. The Asian highway runs from Moreh (a town in India-Myanmar border) in India to Thailand’s Maesot via Myanmar’s Tamu, Mandalay and Myawaddy.
Facts about Thailand
- Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that was never colonized.
- Thailand is home to the world’s largest gold Buddha and the largest crocodile farm.
- One of the country’s most unusual festivals is the annual Monkey Buffet. More than 600 monkeys are invited to feast on over two tonnes of grilled sausage, fresh fruit, ice cream and other treats.
- Buddhism is the country’s main religion – it is practiced by 95 per cent of the population.
- Thailand has one of the worst child sex trafficking records in the world.
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