Swapping gifts across the border

Swapping gifts across the border

People on both side of the border contented themselves by trading gifts across the gate that divides Thailand from Burma's Shan State during the traditional water festival, reported Moengzay from Chiangrai. 

The people in Burma's Tachilek and Thailand's Maesai, after "deciding for themselves" the Burmese authorities would not reopen the Burmese side of the Friendship Bridge, began to exchange gifts through gaps beginning 12 April (the eve of the Sangjarn) until 17 April (New Years Day according to astrologic calculation). 

Soldiers and police in the vicinity did not interfere with the unusual gatherings going in front of them. "Some even stopped to lend a hand," said a Maesai resident. 

During the long closure of the border in 1995 following a disastrous raid by Shans, Rangoon had allowed the border to be opened during the Sangjarn. "But this time they do not, " said a resident from Tachilek. "That does not omens well." 
One local Thai official told S.H.A.N. the joint Township Border Committee's monthly meeting was not expected to be held soon. "The Burmese side is saying they need to wait for instructions from Rangoon." 

According to the agreement signed between Thai and Burma armies on 4 April in Kengtung, 160 km north of Tachilek, the TBC is to meet at least once a month. 

Meanwhile, Tachilek's basic essentials such as fuel are going across the border through the Golden Triangle, where Burma's Shan State, Thailand and Laos meet.