BANGKOK (The Nation Thailand/ANN): The Thai and Malaysian Prime Ministers on Friday witnessed the signing of an agreement to construct a parallel bridge over the Golok River in the southern border, aiming to strengthen cross-border transport and tourism.
The project is expected to begin later this year and be completed within three years.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra welcomed Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Thai Khu Fah Building of the Government House during his official working visit to Thailand.
The visit aimed to review the progress of Thai-Malaysian cooperation and to witness the signing of an agreement to construct a parallel bridge connecting Su-ngai Kolok in Narathiwat province with Rantau Panjang in Kelantan state.
The agreement was signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit and Malaysian Minister of Works Alexander Nanta Linggi.
Suriya stated that the agreement outlines the management and implementation framework for the project, which will be overseen by the Department of Highways using annual budget allocations.
Construction is scheduled to take 36 months, with work expected to commence in September or October 2025, he said.
The project involves the construction of a 116-meter-long, 14-meter-wide reinforced concrete bridge with two traffic lanes, running parallel to the existing Golok River bridge. The new bridge will accommodate inbound traffic to Thailand, while the existing bridge will be used for outbound traffic.
This initiative is intended to improve the movement of vehicles, motorcycles, and pedestrians, enhance cross-border logistics efficiency, and promote tourism in Thailand’s southern border provinces. - The Nation Thailand/ANN
