Checkpoint closure hits Thai export

[ausgeo@xxxxxxx]

Subject: Checkpoint closure hits Thai exports

June 13, 1997

BANGKOK POST

BURMA

Checkpoint closure hits Thai exports

Supamart Kasem 
Mae Sot


Burma has sealed a checkpoint on its side of the border for an indefinite 
period - resulting in more than 10 million baht worth of goods being stranded 
in Thailand.

Burmese officials gave unclear explanations for the reason behind the closure.

The Thai chairman of the Local Thai-Burmese Border Committee Col Chatchapat 
Yaem-ngarmriab, who coordinated border affairs with the Burmese side, said he 
had been informed the closure was made for "security reasons."

More than 10 million baht worth of goods destined for Myawaddy was stranded on 
the Thai side of the border as a result.

Third Army Region commander Lt-Gen Thanom Watcharaput said that Burma has the 
right to unilaterally close down the checkpoint and he could not tell how long 
it will remain closed.

He refused to say if the Burmese move was caused by a conflict over the border 
line.

The military did not stand to be affected by the closure but villagers from 
both sides of the border who make their living from cross-border trade are 
affected, he said.

Border security sources said that apart from the conflict over the border 
line, the checkpoint closure could be retaliation for Thai officials' ban of 
Burmese workers on boat landings on the Thai side and the Thai ban of imports 
of Burmese onion and garlic through the checkpoint.