Kunming-Bangkok Expressway
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Kunming-Bangkok Expressway (昆曼高速公路) is the first international expressway from China. It starts at Kunming, the provincial capital of Yunnan province in southwestern China, and ends at Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.
The expressway is approximately 1,900 km in length, about 730 km is in China and about 250 km is in Laos. It is jointly funded by China, Laos, Thailand and the Asian Development Bank. It stretches south from Kunming to Xiaomenyang (16 km from Jinghong) and cross the border at Mohan into Laos. It traverses through jungle and highlands in southern Yunnan and Laos before entering Thailand at Chiang Khong. It continues southward, mostly as Highway 1, until it reaches Bangkok. A possible parallel alternative route, via Keng Tung in Burma, is also considered.
| Section | Length (km)1 | Route | Status,Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kunming - Yuxi (CN) | 86 | 213 | 6 Lane Expressway Completed (1999) |
| Yuxi - Yuanjiang (CN) | 112 | 213 | 4 Lane Expressway Completed (2000) |
| Yuanjiang - Mohei (CN) | 147 | 213 | Expressway Completed (Dec 2003) |
| Mohei - Simao (CN) | 71 | 213 | Expressway Completed |
| Simao - Xiaomenyang (CN) | 97 | 213 | Under Construction |
| Xiaomenyang - Mohan/Boten (CN) | 217 | 214 | Planned |
| Mohan/Boten - Luang Namtha (LAO) | 57 | 3 | Planned |
| Luang Namtha - Houayxay/Chiang Khong (LAO) | 192 | 3 | Planned, Ferry across Mekong |
| Chiang Khong - Chiang Rai (TH) | 113 | 1020 | Planned, Alt route 1174/1098/1173 |
| Chiang Khong - Tak (TH) | 398 | 1 | Divided Highway |
| Tak - Bangkok (TH) | 426 | 1 | Divided Highway |
1Some distances on existing roads if expressway distances unavailabe
Expressways also planned or under construction: Kunming to Mandalay (Burma) and Kunming to Hanoi (Vietnam).
[edit] External links
Thai Language Blog with pictures and maps
Some Progress Information: Asian Development Bank Meeting Minutes
Regional Map (PDF): Asian Development Bank
