NARATHIWAT: Twelve villagers will be relocated to 'security homes' following the construction of the second Muhibbah (Friendship) Bridge.
Narathiwat governor Trakul Thotham said the 12 people, who live near the first Muhibbah Bridge, would be moved before the project starts.
"The Ministry of Social Affairs has been tasked with handling the villagers affected by the project," he said.
"The project to build the second bridge across the Golok river, connecting with Rantau Panjang, Kelantan, is expected to begin in April next year," he added.
Trakul said the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies for the project site had already been completed and submitted to the Deputy Thai Prime Minister in July.
"We have yet to decide on the cost of the project or the design for the bridge. All of this will be discussed in a special meeting on Nov 22," he said.
He added that the final decision for the project would be announced during a ceremony when the contractors for the project sign a letter of acceptance.
"The ceremony is expected to be held on Dec 16," he said.
He said that the bridge, which will run parallel to the first one, will also feature the coats of arms of both Thailand and Malaysia.
"The project would not have become a reality if the leaders of both countries had not shown interest in it. Even Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed concern over the project when he called for the accelerated construction of this Muhibbah Bridge. This proves that the collaboration between Thailand and Malaysia is strong, as the project will benefit the people of both countries," he added.
Last month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the Malaysia Madani Budget 2025, proposed an allocation of RM560 million to reinforce the country's borders.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said several new Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) complexes would be constructed, in addition to upgrades at the ones in Rantau Panjang and Bukit Berapit in northern peninsular Malaysia.
He also said that priority would be given to the development of towns bordering Kalimantan, Indonesia, and southern Thailand, including the provision of comprehensive basic infrastructure, with an allocation of nearly RM1 billion.
This includes the construction of two border bridges in Kelantan, costing over RM50 million.