Kunming–Bangkok Expressway is a proposed international expressway running from Kunming, Yunnan province, People's Republic of China, to Bangkok, Thailand via Laos. The first expressway sections were opened in 2008.
The expressway will be approximately in length when complete; about was completed from Kunming via Xiaomenyang to Jinghong) and crossing the Lao border at Mohan, all in Yunnan, by 2017 and the next of the expressway, south of China within Laos follows Route 13, then Route 3.
It was jointly funded by China, Laos, Thailand and the Asian Development Bank.
It traverses jungle and highlands in southern Yunnan and Northern Laos before entering Thailand at Chiang Khong. It then continues southward, largely following Thai Route 1, which becomes an Expressway standard road near Bangkok but which is largely an at-grade dual carriageway along most of its length within Thailand. Within Laos, as of May 2019 the road is an undivided two lane highway. Section Length (km)1 NationalRoute Status and comments Yunnan, CN Kunming – Yuxi () G8511 6-lane expressway completed (1999) Yuxi – Yuanjiang () G8511 4-lane expressway completed (2000) Yuanjiang – Mohei () G8511 Expressway Completed (Dec 2003) Mohei – Simao () G8511 Expressway Completed (Apr 2011) Simao – Xiaomenyang () G8511 Expressway Completed (Apr 2006) Xiaomenyang – Mohan/Boten () G8511 Expressway Completed LAO Mohan/Boten (Yunnan) – Nateuy () Route 13 Highway Completed (Vientiane–Boten Expressway planning) Nateuy – Luang Namtha – Ban Houayxay () Route 3 Highway Completed TH Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge – Chiang Khong () 1356 Divided highway Chiang Khong – Chiang Rai () 1020 Divided highway alt route 1174/1098/1173 under construction Chiang Rai – Chai Nat () 1 Divided highway (named Phahonyothin Road) Chai Nat – Bang Pa-In () 32 Divided highway Bang Pa-In – Bangkok ()1/31 Divided highway (named Phahonyothin Road & Vibhavadi Rangsit Road)
1Some distances on existing roads if expressway distances unavailable
Expressways also planned or under construction: Kunming to Mandalay (Burma) and Kunming to Hanoi (Vietnam). Expressway completed between Vang Vieng and Vientiane in 2020.
See also Asian Highway Network AH1, AH2, AH3 China National Highways Thai highway network Phahonyothin Road
References
External links UNESCAP - About the Asian Highway