Mae Sai Border Status - Political Turmoil

[george]

Myanmar halts imports of Thai goods

CHIANG RAI, Oct 20 (TNA) - Myanmar has ordered a temporary halt to Thai goods crossing through the Mae Sai checkpoint in Thailand's northern province of Chiang Rai, because of the political turmoil, according to a senior customs official.

However, tourists are still being allowed cross to and from Myanmar at the Tachilek border crossing, the customs officer, Kiattichai Phongpraphai, told TNA.

Between five and ten million baht is normally spent daily, according to Mr. Kiattichai before the political uncertainty disrupted business.

One major Thai exporter of construction material to Myanmar told TNA she was worried by the ban. She said she had just delivered a large amount of sample products to her clients in Myanmar, and had not yet been paid for the goods.

Thai-operated hotels in Tachilek are closely monitoring the situation to see whether they should temporarily suspend business and send the 200 or so Thai staff home.

--TNA 2004-10-20

[lopburi3]

It does not take a very long memory to recall the border closing with people caught on the wrong side. Be careful!

[george]

Update:

Myanmar shuts down border ports

TAK: -- Myanmar today ordered the closure of 19 cross-border trading ports on the Moei River while mobilizing troop reinforcements in the border area, but local business leaders remained optimistic that the impact on trade between the two countries would be short-lived.

The closure of the ports, which follows Monday’s removal of Myanmar Prime Minister Khin Nyunt from political office, was ordered today by Gen Maung Aye, the deputy chairman of Myanmar’s State Peace and Development Council.

Sources said that the port closures, with a simultaneous ban on the movement of Thai goods across the border, indicated that the entire border might be closed in the future.

Myanmar has also moved fully-armed troops into the border area of Karen State, adjacent to Thailand’s Tak Province. On the Thai side, immigration police have tightened checks on anyone crossing the border, while border military and police patrols have been undertaking surveillance operations, with aircraft ordered to monitor the border area in preparation for further political changes in Myanmar.

Mr. Suchart Treeratwattana, president of the Tak Chamber of Commerce, said that the disposal of Gen. Khin Nyunt had sent the Myanmar Kyat sliding, with 100 Kyat now valued at Bt4.30, compared to Bt4.40 at the weekend.

Nonetheless, he expressed confidence that the political changes in Myanmar would have only a short-term impact on cross-border trade.

Gen. Khin Nyunt, known as a relative liberal in the Myanmar regime, introduced a one-stop service for border trade with Thailand, and eased restrictions on the cross-border trade in 15 products previously subject to heavy controls.

However, fears are developing that the change in leadership in Myanmar could deal a blow to negotia tions with minority groups living in Myanmar’s border regions.

A high-ranking official from the Karen National Union (KNU), based in a camp opposite Tak’s Phob Phra district, told TNA reporters today that KNU representative had travelled to Rangoon on 18 October to meet Gen. Khin Nyunt, but that the change of leadership meant that their trip was unsuccessful.

KNU leader Gen Saw Bo Mya has now told his troops to be fully prepared for any changes in the situation.

--TNA 2004-10-20

[george]

The article mentions "Tak" and "Moei River". Not clear if this affects border crossings at Mae Sai though.

Where is "Moei River"?

[lopburi3]

The article mentions "Tak" and "Moei River". Not clear if this affects border crossings at Mae Sai though.

Where is "Moei River"?

Believe it is the branch of the Salawin River South of Sop Moei that forms the border between Thailand and Myanmar.

[george]

Update:

Rush across Myanmar border to buy goods

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN: -- Myanmar citizens are flooding across the border in Thailand's upper southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province to purchase fuel and basic foodstuffs from Thailand amid concern over Myanmar’s fragile political situation.

Sources based near the Singkhorn Checkpoint in tambon Klong Wal said that Myanmar citizens were already beginning to stockpile Thai goods following Monday’s change of leadership in Rangoon.

Myanmar citizens well remember the five-month period two years ago when the border crossing was shut down, and this time are not taking any chances.

However, the head of the local Myanmar army division has not yet issued any orders restricting cross-border movements.

This contrasts sharply with the border area in Thailand's northwestern province of Tak, where the Myanmar authorities have temporarily shut down 19 ports on the Moei River.

--TNA 2004-10-21

[george]

Mae Sai Border is open

Media urged to report 'true' situation in Myanmar

CHIANG RAI: -- The press has been urged the cover the events in Myanmar accurately.

Distorted media reports will adversely affect trade and tourism in Mae Sai of Thailand's northern province of Chiang Rai and Tachilek border Province in Myanmar, warned Pol. Col. Sa-ngob Sanudorn, Mae Sai’s chief immigration official.

The local Thai authorities have assured tourists crossing into Myanmar that there is no security problem in Tachilek and nearby areas.

But the number of tourists has dropped by five percent since reports earlier this week of political tension in Rangoon.

Myanmar immigration officials from the Tachilek Province have told their Thai counterparts that the checkpoint will remain open to facilitate trade and tourism, Pol. Col. Sa-ngob said.

This is not considered a high tourist season. Less than 2,000 tourists a day pass through this checkpoint at this time of the year.

Tour operators in Chiang Rai and tourists remain confident that it is safe in Myanmar, right through to China.

Two buses with 50 Thai tourists visited Myanmar without any problems on their way to China earlier this week, Pol. Col. Sa-ngob said.

--TNA 2004-10-21

[RamdomChances]

The article mentions "Tak" and "Moei River". Not clear if this affects border crossings at Mae Sai though.

Where is "Moei River"?

I'm pretty sure it the river that runs through Mae sot, the bridge crosses it into burma.

[Baht Simpson]

That's true. the Moei river is actually the border marker beween Mae Sot and Myawaddy in Burma. The Friendship Bridge spans the river at the checkpoint.

http://photobucket.com/albums/v104/pyramus...Border_Post.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/pyr...rder_Bridge.jpg