Border still closed

Border still closed 

Thai-Burma situation 

One week after the conclusion of the talks between Thai and Burma armies, the border between Shan State's Tachilek and Thailand's Maesai is still closed, said sources form the area. 

The Burmese side of the bridge is still welded despite rumors of imminent reopening before the Songkran (Sangjarn in Shan and Thingyan in Burmese) water-splashing festival. 

Prices have risen at least double for most commodities. Diesel, less than 14 baht per liter on the Thai side, is B. 30 in Tachilek. Cooking gas that costs B. 170-180 per tank in Maesai has gone up to B. 700 on the other side. 

According to Col. Han Sein, Civil Administrator from Kengtung, the talks on 2-4 April did not touch on the subject of the reopening of the border, said a source. 

"Whereas the Thai side was proposing the resolution of drugs, Wa and border demarkation issues, the Burmese were counter-demanding that their forces be allowed to move across the border to attack Shan State Army's positions," said the source. 

"Of course, the Thais wouldn't budge and neither would the Burmese." 

However, according to the latest reports, MI 24 (Military Intelligence in Tachilek) officers have "confirmed" that the bridge is almost certain to be reopened tomorrow (Thursday, 12 April), the eve of the Songkran that falls on Friday (13 April). 

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