Thai-Myanmar checkpoint reopens after coup
The main border checkpoint between Chiang Rai and Myanmar reopened this afternoon after closing for four hours following a coup d'état in the neighbouring country.
Also read: Border trade screeches to a halt after Myanmar military takeover
Myanmar authorities shut the Mae Sai-Tachileik border checkpoint at the 2nd Friendship Bridge at 9am this morning, an hour after the military seized power and detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi along with senior members of her ruling National League for Democracy.
A queue of around 30 trucks carrying fuel and other cargo tailed back from the border gate before it was reopened at 1.30pm.
Mae Sai District Sheriff Prasong La-On held a meeting with relevant agencies to summarise the situation. Four Thai returnees were also able to pass through the reopened checkpoint from Myanmar before being processed for quarantine by Tachileik health officials.
