Directive on border controls

[ausgeo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

September 21, 1997
BANGKOK POST
THAILAND-BURMA
Directive on border controls
Thais to be told of Burmese entry rules 
Tak
The provincial chamber of commerce has called on officials to inform Thais of 
border crossing regulations and work out with their Burmese counterparts how 
to reduce costs for people crossing the border via the friendship bridge.
Paniti Tangphati, vice president of Tak Chamber of Commerce, said information 
about entry regulations and fees should be provided at the checkpoint to avoid 
problems.
He also suggested a joint working team be appointed to discuss border entry 
fees, saying people are forced to pay extra when crossing the border via the 
bridge.
The Thai immigration charges 100 baht each for those who leave for Burma, in 
addition to a normal fee of 10 baht each while the customs charges 200 extra 
for every vehicle leaving the country, in addition to the normal fee under a 
local agreement.
He said those who cross the border via the bridge pay higher costs than 
crossing by boat.
Such calls follow the detentions of two border police and three officials 
charged with illegal entry into Burma when they crossed the border to Myawaddy 
via the Thai-Burma Friendship Bridge on Thursday.
Border officials said yesterday the five were released on Friday after paying 
fines of 8,400 each. They were held at a police station in Myawaddy opposite 
Mae Sot district for over 20 hours.
The officials also said the Burmese authorities demanded Thais to buy vehicle 
insurance, 229 baht for cars and 630 for trucks, without issuing any insurance 
certificates.
They also asked tourists to be aware of some Burmese authorities who are in 
league with illegal Burmese guides in a swindling scam.