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New Thailand-Cambodia Highway 50% Complete - Easing Congestion at Ban Khlong Luek Border

April, 2 2021

Project Overview

The Sakaeo Highway Department has provided an update on the progress of the new Thailand-Cambodia highway (Highway No. 3646). This highway connects Aranyaprathet District to the Thailand-Cambodia border (Ban Nong Ian - Stung Bot checkpoint), linking with Highway No. 33 (Suphan Buri – Aranyaprathet) and Highway No. 3586.

The 10th Highway Office (Nakhon Ratchasima) is preparing road infrastructure to support the opening of the Ban Nong Ian - Stung Bot temporary border checkpoint. This highway will serve as a major trade route while reducing congestion at Ban Khlong Luek border checkpoint, which is currently used for both cargo transportation and cross-border travel.

Construction Progress (50% Completed)

The project is divided into two main phases:

Phase 1 (0+000 km - 25+211 km)

• Starting point: Watthana Nakhon District, Phakkha Subdistrict, Sakaeo Province
• Ending point: Aranyaprathet District, Tha Kham Subdistrict
• Total length: 25.211 km
• Total budget: 1.9 billion THB
• Contractor: SPT Civil Group Co., Ltd.
• Project duration: April 24, 2019 – April 7, 2022 (1,080 days)

This section is further divided into two subsections:

1. Subsection 1 (0+000 km - 10+500 km)

   • Length: 10.500 km
   • Budget: 1.007 billion THB
   • Progress: 58.6% completed

2. Subsection 2 (10+500 km - 25+211 km)

   • Length: 14.711 km
   • Budget: 892.87 million THB
   • Progress: 55.6% completed

Currently, the first 19 km has been paved with concrete, and five bridges are under construction. The project is expected to be fully completed by late 2022.

Phase 2: Accelerated 6 km Section at the Border Checkpoint

• This section connects to the Thai-Cambodian Friendship Bridge (Ban Nong Ian - Stung Bot) and is expected to be completed by July 2022.
• The border checkpoint buildings are scheduled for completion in September 2022. However, to facilitate early cross-border trade and transport, the government will set up eight temporary container units to serve as a provisional customs facility.

Expected Opening Timeline

By July 2022, an official announcement will be made regarding travel routes to Highway No. 3646 and the Thai-Cambodian Friendship Bridge to help the public and logistics companies plan their routes accordingly.