Shan State officials seek new route for China trade

[webfact]

Shan State officials seek new route for China trade



MANDALAY: -- The Mandalay-Lashio-Muse road, which passes through Shan State, is being repaired to promote trade with China, as it is plagued by constant traffic jams and frequent accidents, said U Aung Kyaw Nyunt, minister for Shan State planning and economy.

Fighting between ethnic armed groups and the Myanmar government troops over the past few years has also led thousands of villagers in northern Shan State to flee their homes, he added.

Every day, around 1500 trucks travel the 114-mile (183 kilometre) road, accounting for up to 80 percent of trade between Myanmar and its largest trading partner, China. Ministry of Commerce statistics show between 15,000 and 20,000 tonnes of goods pass daily along the road.

To promote trade, ministerial departments and governing bodies need to cooperate to repair and widen the two-lane road, commerce minister U Win Myint, said, adding that a single broken-down car can cause jams on the road, which cuts through the mountains, for up to three days.

However, U Win Myint said that as the area has still security problems, and battles between ethnic groups and the government troops are not uncommon, it is hard to estimate when field groups might be able to find a way to develop the road.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/149260


-- Thai PBS 2016-02-03

[craigt3365]

It's a horrible road. In a terrible state with some really bad zig zags across some ravines. Plus, they drive on the right and the steering wheel is on the right! Passing is not for the feint of heart. Super dangerous road.

[Tomtomtom69]

It's a horrible road. In a terrible state with some really bad zig zags across some ravines. Plus, they drive on the right and the steering wheel is on the right! Passing is not for the feint of heart. Super dangerous road.

Super dangerous road, but NOT because most cars have their steering wheels on the right while driving on the right.

Many Thai cars go to Laos and experience the same thing. Ditto for Lao, Cambodian and even Chinese drivers heading into Thailand. Actually, having the steering wheel on the "wrong" side is actually an advantage on mountainous roads.

No, it's the badly designed switchbacks, large number of trucks and horrendous driving that makes this road dangerous. I've been along the entire stretch and back twice. From Mandalay to Muse in 10 hours the first time, second time went from Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo) to Muse in about 8 hours. About the same on the way back (not including the dinner stop we had then).

[craigt3365]

It's a horrible road. In a terrible state with some really bad zig zags across some ravines. Plus, they drive on the right and the steering wheel is on the right! Passing is not for the feint of heart. Super dangerous road.

Super dangerous road, but NOT because most cars have their steering wheels on the right while driving on the right.

Many Thai cars go to Laos and experience the same thing. Ditto for Lao, Cambodian and even Chinese drivers heading into Thailand. Actually, having the steering wheel on the "wrong" side is actually an advantage on mountainous roads.

No, it's the badly designed switchbacks, large number of trucks and horrendous driving that makes this road dangerous. I've been along the entire stretch and back twice. From Mandalay to Muse in 10 hours the first time, second time went from Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo) to Muse in about 8 hours. About the same on the way back (not including the dinner stop we had then).

I beg to differ. Vehicles with steering wheels on the right, and driving on the right, are extremely dangerous when it comes to passing. Especially where there is a curve to the right. Impossible to see ahead, so they move over into the oncoming lane significantly to try and see. I'd hate to think of how many times my driver had to rapidly move over as there was an oncoming car he couldn't see. Insane.

And yes, those switchbacks are really bad. Especially when there's a broken down truck on them! LOL