Major Myanmar - Thai Border Crossing Remains Closed

[george]

Major Myanmar-Thai border crossing remains closed

BANGKOK: -- The Thai authorities are probing reasons for the Myanmar government's continued closure of the Myawaddy-Tak border crossing, on the Moei River near Mae Sot.

But the border closure by the Myanmar authorities is believed to be only a temporary measure.

Interior Ministry spokesperson Panadda Disakul said the Tak governor, the Third Army Region and a Naresuan Task Force in charge of Tak's border areas are coordinating with the Myanmar authorities, following Tuesday's closure of the Myawaddy border point where trading between traders from both sides of the border had previously been hectic.

Myanmar is believed to have closed the Myawaddy border in retaliation to the earlier closing of Three Pagodas border point in Kanchanaburi province by the Thai authorities, following last week's kidnapping of two Thai Border Patrol police officer by the Democratic Karen Buddhist

Army (DKBA), a Karen Buddhist faction allied to the Myanmar military junta, at the western Thai border district of Sangkhlaburi in Kanchanaburi province.

Tak Industrial Council chairman Amnart Nanthaharn called on the authorities to negotiate with their Myanmar counterparts to quickly reopen the Myawaddy-Mae Sot border point. Otherwise, he said, crossborder trading between Thailand and Myanmar worth Bt30 million to Bt40 million daily would be affected.

Through the border point, Thailand has imported fresh seafood from Myanmar and exported construction materials, footwear and tires to the neighbouring country.

--TNA 2007-03-29

[george]

Burma shuts checkpoint at Mae Sot

Thai officials on the border with Burma yesterday put on a brave face after the junta abruptly shut the Mae Sot-Myawaddy crossing.

Tak Governor Chumporn Ponrak, who visited the crossing yesterday, told reporters his office requested a formal explanation from Burma.

A prolonged closing could affect cross-border trade via the checkpoint worth about Bt1 billion to this country, he said.

Yesterday's action by Burma appeared to be a tit-for-tat move in response to Thailand's decision to close a border checkpoint last week at Kanchanaburi's Three Pagodas Pass after two border patrol policemen were abducted by the pro-government Democratic Karen Buddhist Army. The pass was reopened after their release two days ago.

Burma's decision to close the border yesterday not only jolted Thai officials but was a chilling reminder of six years ago when on-and-off tension between Thai and Burmese troops flared up, resulting in cross-border shootings and shelling.

Then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra made fence-mending visits before anxiety subsided.

Analysts said tension along the border was deep-rooted in Burma's insurgency and Thailand's refusal to crack down on Burmese rebels who rely on Thailand as their economic lifeline.

-- The Nation 2007-03-29

[Jai Dee]

Burma Closes Border Checkpoints

Burma's recent closure of several border checkpoints with Thailand has caused Thai officials to increase security measures in the area.

The Burmese border crossing in Myawaddy Township was closed Tuesday. Burmese officials gave no reason for the closure.

The Thai military has tightened security measures in border areas, especially in Kanchanaburi and Mae Hong Son provinces. A Burmese border crossing in Kanchanaburi province was closed earlier.

Ampol Chatchaiyareuk, the chairman of the Tak Chamber of Commerce, said the checkpoint closings are in response to the closure of Thai border checkpoints when two Thai border policemen were kidnapped last week. They were released after five days.

Ampol said the border closures will affect border trade, costing about 30 million baht a day in the area.

The Thai Army's Surasi Task Force increased troops around Hokpanrai Village in Sangkhlaburi district of Kanchanaburi because of recent clashes between the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army and the Karen National Union army.

In Mae Hong Son, the Thai Third Army ordered the 7th Regiment Infantry Task Force to guard against incursions by armed groups that may cross into Thailand, following fighting on Sunday between the Burmese army and the Shan State Army. Two SSA soldiers and one Burmese Army soldier were killed, according to a report in the Thai newspaper Manager.

In Mae Hong Son, Pol Lt-Col Prai Rinsawas, chief of the Provincial Immigration Office, said the Muang District checkpoint, which has been closed since early February for security reasons, would be reopened soon.

Meanwhile, Thai Deputy Foreign Minister Sawanit Kongsiri told reporters that Thailand has a long land border of more than 5,000 kilometers with neighboring countries and problems are to be expected. Generally, relationships with the neighboring countries are good, he said.

“The case of the two detained policemen who were released reflects that we have a good relationship with Burma,” Sawanit said Wednesday, according to Thailand’s National News Bureau.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday submitted a letter to the Burmese ambassador in Bangkok urging cooperation in the investigation of the death of a Thai Army ranger who was killed last week in a battle between Thai security forces and Burmese soldiers in Mae Hong Son Province.

Source: The Irrawaddy - 29 March 2007

[george]

Governor orders border closure

MAE HONG SON: -- Mae Hong Son governor Direk Konkleeb yesterday ordered the closure of Thai-Burmese border checkpoints in the province from Monday onwards.

The move aims to pressure the Burmese junta into taking responsibility for the death of a Thai ranger killed on March 21 in a grenade explosion. Burmese border troops were believed to be responsible for the attack.

The ranger and his colleagues were changing shifts [more ..]

--Bangkok Post 2007-03-30

[Jai Dee]

Border checkpoint in Meawdee has reopened

Myanmar has reopened the border checkpoint in Meawdee province, opposite of Mae Sod district in Tak province. The checkpoint was closed since March 27th. The atmosphere in the Friendship Bridge has become lively once again since morning.

Pol. Col. Tosawat Bunyawat (ทัศวัฒน์ บุญญวัฒน์), the Superintendent of Tak Border Checkpoint, says the Burmese officials from Meawdee province informed the Thai officials that the border checkpoint in Meawdee has reopened today. People from both countries with relevant documents are now allowed to cross the Friendship Bridge as usual.

Business operators are continuously transporting their goods to be sold in the two countries.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 April 2007