Authorities Seal Off 42 ‘Doraemon Doors’ to Myanmar in Border Crackdown

Pictures courtesy of Daily News.

Security agencies have tried to permanently seal 42 illegal cross-border passageways, dubbed “Doraemon Doors”, that connected private properties in Sangkhla Buri District to neighbouring Myanmar. The move comes amid escalating efforts to curb smuggling and drug trafficking along the border.

The decision follows a high-level security meeting held on 30 May, chaired by Mr Suriya­sak Muean-Uam, District Chief of Sangkhla Buri and attended by senior local officials, police, border patrol, and representatives of affected homeowners and warehouse operators. The meeting focused on enforcing border control in Moo 9 village, located in the Ban Phra Chedi Sam Ong area.

The so-called “Doraemon Doors”, named after the fictional character’s ability to travel anywhere through a magic door, allowed unauthorised passage from the front of homes and buildings in Thailand directly out through the back into Myanmar. These channels have allegedly been used for smuggling cash, goods and possibly drugs. In one recent case, officials uncovered an attempt to smuggle over 18 million baht in cash across the border using one of these doors.

A total of 42 such doors on residential properties, warehouses and factories are now being sealed off permanently between 31 May and 6 June. The operation is part of the government’s Seal, Stop, Safe campaign to suppress cross-border narcotics trafficking and illegal trade.

Security units involved include the Lat Ya Task Force, local administrative officials and Sangkhla Buri police. Homeowners have been ordered to lock the rear exits with new padlocks and permanently weld or seal the doors. The keys are being jointly held by the three lead agencies to ensure security and oversight.

Warning notices have been posted at each sealed exit, declaring that tampering with or reopening these doors constitutes a violation of administrative orders. Security patrols will be increased to ensure compliance and to monitor the structural integrity of the sealed doors.

Any future unauthorised use or modification of these rear exits will be considered a breach of official orders and may result in the offender being stripped of their land use rights. Offending parties will be reported to the Kanchanaburi Provincial Border Command Centre for further action.

This decisive move underscores Thailand’s commitment to closing down loopholes in its border security and tackling transnational crime with a coordinated, zero-tolerance approach.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Daily News 2025-06-01.