The opening ceremony of Thanlwin Bridge (Tahsan) was held at the bridge near Tahsan Village in Mongpan Township, Shan State (South) this morning and Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing formally opened the bridge.

Also present were Secretary of the commission General Ye Win Oo, union  ministers, Chief Minister of Shan State U Aung Aung, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the commander of  Triangle Region Command, departmental officials and local residents.

First, the Senior General and party arrived at the ceremony and were warmly greeted by officials, students, wind and percussion bands and local national races.

At the auspicious time, Secretary of the commission General Ye Win Oo and union ministers Dr Charlie Than, Dr Myo Thein Kyaw, U Myo Thant and Chief Minister of Shan State U Aung Aung formally opened the bridge by cutting a ribbon.

Then, the Senior General opened the marble slab of the bridge by pressing a button and sprinkled scented water on it. Afterward, the secretary of the commission and attendees sprinkled scented water on the marble slab.

Then, union minister for construction presented a commemorative gift for the opening ceremony to the Senior General. Afterward, the Senior General presented cash rewards to students and local residents.

Then, the Senior General and party posed for documentary photographs commemorating the opening ceremony.

Afterward, the Senior General and party crossed over and inspected the bridge.

The steel frame bridge is 876 feet long  and 33 feet wide including a 23 feet motorlane and two five-foot wide motor-cycle lanes on each side of the bridge. The waterway under it is 280 feet wide and 34 feet high. The bridge was constructed near  the 900 feet long  old Thanlwin suspension bridge (Tahsan). As the bridge has been opened, transportation of commodities will be faci-litated along Taunggyi-Namhsan-Moene-Mongpan-Mong Ton- Mong Hsat-Tachilek road connecting Shan State (South) and Shan State (East) and it will contribute to socio-economic deve-lopment of local residents.