Mae Sot – Myawaddy Border Closure Could Extend To After Election

Myanmar's Border Closure Could Extend to After Election

Burmese traders along the Mae Sot – Myawaddy border are speculating that Myanmar is considering closing its border until after the upcoming general election. Meanwhile, the Burmese government is now enforcing a strict visa policy for foreigners.

Burmese traders believe that the Burmese government may possibly close Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge and the Mae Sot-Myawaddy border until the end of November, or until after the November 7 general election.

The local Burmese administration closed the Mae Sot- Myawaddy border on July 17, vaguely explaining to Thai border officials that it was a direct order from the government in the Burmese capital Napidor.

The border closure will likely damage Thai-Burmese border business since trade between the two countries has increased two folds over the last several years and is now worth more than 3.2 billion US dollars annually.

The Burmese press and businesses believe the border is closed because the first general election in 20 years is set to be held soon or possibly it is an effort to alienate ethnic minority groups and express dissatisfaction withThailand's opposition to the upcoming general election.

Beginning today, the Burmese government will be enforcing strict immigration control as a means of preventing western journalists from reporting on the general election.

The Mandalay and Rangoon international airports have both suspended express visa and visa-on-arrival services. The Burmese government has also stopped special visa services for aid and NGO workers.

-- Tan Network 2010-09-02