On 30 August 2015 , H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the Handover Ceremony of the Myawaddy – Kawkareik Road and the Inauguration Ceremony of the Construction of the 2nd Thai – Myanmar Friendship Bridge Crossing Moei/Thaungyin River. Both Ceremonies were presided over by H.E. Mr. Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, and H.E. U Nyan Tun, Deputy President of the Republic of the Union of the Myanmar. Also in attendance were, from the Thai side, H.E. Mr. Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Minister of Transport and from the Myanmar side, H.E. U Aung Min, Minister of the President's Office, U Kyaw Lwin, Union Minister for Construction, and U Tin Oo Lwin, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The Myawaddy – Kawkareik Road is part of the Trilateral Highway Project linking Thailand – Myanmar – India and the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC). The Myawaddy – Kawkareik Road is divided into two sections: (1) Myawaddy – Tanaosri (17 kilometers), which was completed and unofficially opened for public use since 9 July 2006 and (2) Tanaosri – Kawkareik
(26 kilometers), which was completed in July 2015.

The construction of the 2nd Thai – Myanmar Friendship Bridge Crossing Moei/Thaungyin River is expected to be completed within two years. It will support the increasing trade volume along the EWEC route.

The development of border connectivity between Thailand and Myanmar demonstrates the mutual benefits and the success of close cooperation between neighboring countries, particularly in light of the building of the ASEAN Community this year. The Road and Friendship Bridge will connect the two countries physically, and in turn, increase the flow of people of both sides, facilitate the trade and investment. This will also enhance the government’s policy on developing the Special Economic Zones along border areas between Thailand and neighboring countries.