Tachilek feeling the pinch of border closure

Tachilek feeling the pinch of border closure, says resident

Nearly two months after the closure of the Friendship Bridge over the Maesai, Tachilek's 60,000 residents are undergoing a difficult situation, said one of its citizens. 

The source, who asked anonymity, said what had so far been written in junta-controlled papers was just "bluff stuff". "It might be true for the top brass, but not for the rank-and-file or most of the people here," he said. "Come to think of it, I haven't met anybody who isn't complaining. Another month like this, and we'll all be gone." 

He said most of the commodities coming from China through Kengtung were insufficient for the residents' needs and expensive. "You must remember that most of us don't have any income since the border closed. The Kyat (Burma's currency) is also going down against the "Renminbi (China's currency)." 

In addition, Rangoon has banned import of several items of Thai-made goods. 

Burmese papers however says it is Thailand and not Burma that is suffering due to the closure. 

The source said everyone hoped the on-going talks in Kengtung between Thailand and Burma would among other things result in the reopening of the border.