Tachilek

[uncletom]

I just went to the Tachilek border side to check in with the Burmese immigration before returning to the Thai side. The Burma immigration has now changed.

1rst. They make you fill out a form( before entering the tiny room) for entering Burma.

Basic questions asked only.

2nd. They hit you up for 500bt instead of 250bt. This change is ok.

3rd. They sit you down facing the backside of a computer and tell you to look and smile.

On the top part of the computer has a camera and next voilla, your picture is

introduced into a computer file and a immigration slip with your photo on it is kicked

out of a printer.

4th. You are asked whether you are going into or just returning back.

My question is why is Burma going to this extent. Money increase ok. But the

whole 9 yards of questions and the photo op is a little different from what I have seen

from any boder entity before. Is Burma trying to make some gains with the U.N?

What is your guess....