BKK Post, April 5, 1998. BORDERS

[burma@xxxxxxxxxx]

April 5, 1998. BORDERS

New drive to promote regional trade links
Opening checkpoints 'may spread diseases' 
Preecha Srisathan 
Kanchanaburi

Thailand has been pushing for the opening of more permanent checkpoints 
to promote economic links with Burma and South Asian countries under the 
western seaboard development project.

However, there are concerns that the planned opening of the checkpoints 
would pose a threat to national security.

Some state agencies expressed fears the opening of the checkpoints would 
encourage the influx of Karen and Burmese immigrants into Thailand and 
these aliens might bring with them contagious diseases such as 
tuberculosis, elephantiasis, syphilis, malaria and leprosy.

Despite fears of these problems, six provinces in the upper western part 
of Thailand - Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Samut Songkhram, 
Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon - have thrown their full support behind 
the opening of the checkpoints in their provinces.

A recent seminar on the development of the upper west agreed in 
principle that Thailand open more checkpoints to boost trade and 
businesses with Burma and other neighbouring countries.

At present, only three border checkpoints - Tachilek-Mae Sai, 
Myawaddy-Mae Sot and Kawthaung-Ranong - have been opened to facilitate 
cross-border trading between the two countries.

The seminar, attended by representatives from the Office of the National 
Economic and Social Development Board, the Commerce Ministry, the 
Interior Ministry, the Public Health Ministry and local authorities, saw 
the potential of four western provinces of Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, 
Prachuap Khiri Khan and Ranong to become an economic hub of the upper 
western part.

Under the plan, these four provinces will have to open their border 
checkpoints to expand their trade and business with Burma.

In Kanchanaburi, the provincial authorities wanted the border 
checkpoints to be opened at Three-Pagoda Pass in Sangkhla Buri district, 
I-tong Pass in Thong Pha Phum district and at Ban Bongti in Muang 
district.

In Ratchaburi, it was suggested that a border checkpoint in Suan Phueng 
district be opened.

Prachuap Khiri Khan authorities wanted the border checkpoints to be 
opened at Ban Singkhorn and Ban Khlong Loy in Thab Sakae district while 
Ranong province has been pushing for the upgrading and opening of the 
checkpoints in Muang and Kra Buri districts.

Vaithaya Ungpraporn, deputy Kanchanaburi governor, said all three 
checkpoints in his province are now temporary ones which need to be 
upgraded to permanent checkpoints first before being opened to trade 
with Burma.

However, budget constraints have prevented the plan to upgrade the 
checkpoints.

Budgets are needed to construct a road from the Three-Pagoda Pass to 
Moulmein in Burma, pointed out Mr Vaithaya.

Among the three checkpoints in Kanchanaburi, Ban Bongti checkpoint has 
the potential to be developed to the permanent checkpoint as the private 
sector has got a concession to construct a road linking Ban Bongti with 
Tavoy in Burma.

Supoj Pothongkham, deputy Ratchaburi governor, called on the government 
to allow the private sector to play a more active role in the western 
seaboard development scheme.

In the current economic situation, private firms should be invited to 
invest in constructing roads and other infrastructure utilities to 
facilitate the opening of checkpoints with Burma.

In addition, the Thai government should coordinate with the Burmese 
authorities to control Karen rebels who always stage unrest along the 
Thai-Burmese border, said Mr Supoj.

Pairat Pothanachai, deputy Prachuap Khiri Khan governor, said the 
temporary checkpoint at Ban Singkhorn has been equipped with a duty free 
shop and other facilities.

He expected that it would be developed to be the permanent checkpoint 
within three years.

Provincial authorities are currently mapping out plans to regulate 
cross-border trade to prepare for the opening of the Ban Singkorn 
checkpoint.

Suthep Pinprasert, the palad changvad of Ranong province, said political 
instability in Burma has hampered Thailand's efforts to expand trade and 
businesses with Rangoon.

Burma's negative attitude towards Thailand in housing Karen refugees who 
are supporters of Karen rebels was also another main factor that delayed 
the western seaboard development plan.

Unless these problems and obstacles are solved, the plan to turn the 
western border areas into an economic hub would not be successful, noted 
Mr Suthep.

Meanwhile, Dr Saravut Suwannathappa, representative from the Public 
Health Ministry, warned that the planned opening of checkpoints would 
encourage the influx of alien workers into the country.

Communicable diseases spawned by these workers would pose serious 
threats to the health of Thai people.

He quoted last year's official report as showing that 1,200 out of 
24,637 Burmese immigrants had suffered from communicable diseases such 
as tuberculosis, elephantiasis, syphilis, malaria and leprosy.

These diseases, particularly elephantiasis, will widely spread among 
Thais if there is no preventive measures to cope with them, said Dr 
Saravut.

PM's Office Minister Savit Bhotivihok, who chaired the seminar on the 
development of the upper west, said he would bring their views and other 
observations in the planned opening of the checkpoints to be considered 
in the government-level meeting.

However, he expressed confidence that the opening of the checkpoints and 
the potential of all border provinces would make the development of the 
western seaboard possible.

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