Tachilek

[Joel Barlow]

There are no longer DVDs and CDs for sale in Tachilek. Also, stores that sold music and movies in MaeSai have disappeared! The Burmese government confiscated many, many disks, about a week ago. Jungle products – wild cat skins, boar’s teeth – from endangered species - remain openly available, while “Nang Po” disks are still offered by viagra and cigarette salesmen.

A rumor – from a Lahu woman who lives in Tachilek but does not read or write, or speak any language but Lahu, is that notices have been put up there, saying the border may close soon. This may have to do with Red Wa people moved to the border just north of MaeAi, ChiangMai, a while back, encroaching across onto the Thai side, but that’s simply pure speculation. I wonder if anyone else has heard anything about this! Thai friends of mine in MaeSai who do cross-border business knew nothing about it, except that the Wa are refusing to relocate away from the border – despite being ordered to do so by the Burmese government (as reported by SHAN - Shan Herald Agency for News).

[Ajarn]

That is B.S. about DVD's and tapes not being sold. I just bought some yesterday at my normal place for a normal price...

[Joel Barlow]

Call me a liar if you will - but I was there yesterday too.

My wife heard about it on TV news about a week ago.

There are no more CD/DVD shops. Really. Not in Tachilek.

There are still some in Mae Sai, but not right near the bridge.

100% on this.

[PeaceBlondie]

Pardon me for making an unofficial judgment after only two posts, but the OP basically says "I heard a rumor, and I couldn't find any to buy" while another poster says "I bought one yesterday." Three of a kind beats a pair in poker, and a claim that they actually bought one beats a claim that they didn't find any to buy.

[Ulysses G.]

Joel Bartlow is a local writer and not the type to make up stories. On the other hand, Ajarn is a respected teacher and I have known him for years.

I'm not sure which one of the little devils is telling the truth!

[PeaceBlondie]

And I'm an old tax auditor who knew not to say directly, "You're a liar!" Neither of these fine gentlemen are telling lies. They are telling differing versions of the truth as they understand it, based upon the evidence they have heard and interpreted.

[chownah]

I can say one thing for certain and that is that I did not find any cd's or dvd's for sale ANYWHERE in Chiangrai province today....so it looks like the trouble is spreading!!!

Chownah

[davidgtr]

I was in Tachilek most of Friday afternoon looking to buy CDs & DVDs & all of the shops I know where shut. I could not find one open shop selling Cds or DVDs.

My fave Mr Guitar Man looked like it had been cleaned out, as all the others were where you could peak inside.

I always understood that it was the Wa who controlled / produced the pirate CDs / DVDs in Tachilkek / Burma, & as they are under pressure perhaps their CD/DVD plants have been "temporarily" closed down.

[triffid]

Looks like the weight of contrary evidence is in support of the OP. Anyway, hard to prove a negative.

Ajarn may have to back up his claim with specifics.

Curious to know, if and when Tachilek does sell dvd s agin, how do their prices compare with dvd s in Mae Sae or Chiang Rai?