Thailand is planning to build a 2 billion baht (approximately $59m), 130km four-lane highway to connect Kanchanaburi to the deep-sea port of Tavoy in Burma.

Funds for the project would be sought from China’s $10bn China-Asean investment co-operation fund to promote infrastructure benefiting the Asean nations, Thailand’s Deputy Commerce Minister said.

The road would help regenerate Kanchanaburi by linking it to the coast through Tavoy, which is located on the Andaman Sea.

The road would reduce travel time by a week for cargo ships navigating between Asia, the Middle East and Europe by allowing them to bypass the Malay Peninsula, which will also save over 20% of transportation costs.

The country will put forward the proposal at the Asean Summit scheduled to be held next month.