Border closed

Border closed, crossings open

Enterprising people have returned to traversing the border by way of make-shift ferries set up by the local authorities and militia forces, after the long-awaited reopening of the border failed to materialize, sources report from Tachilek and its twin city, Maesai. 

"Even when the Friendship Bridge is opened, people have been used to crossing the Maesai through a ferry nearest to their homes," said a Tachilek resident. "Only now we have to pay more." 

The Maesai, from Hofai Ferry in the west to Pakook Ferry in the east, is roughly six miles long and has 10 main crossings. For most crossings, the border-runner pays 50 baht each way but the Wa Ferry, jointly manned by members of the Military Inetlligence Detachment # 24, Wa, police, immigration and the Border Disciplinary Unit (Na Sa Ka in Burmese) charges 400. "The most expensive one at present is Perh-wang Ferry, now known as Mayflower Ferry because it's in the compound of the Mayflower Bank," said a Tachilek source. "The Na Sa Ka, headed by Col. Htay Naing, charges you 600 baht each way there." 

During normal times, the ferries mostly used by the wayfarers are Hwe Linlam, Wiang-hawm, Wa and Pakook. "Smugglers and gamblers mainly and during nighttime," confided the source from the Thai side. 

Thai officials charge 20 baht each one way. 

For details, please consult the attached list. 

Name of Ferry Location Burma side Location Thai side Charge

1. Hofai Poong-htoon Thamphajom Na Sa Ka, Police, Immigration

2. Wa a.k.a Kamnan Song " Sailomjoy Na Sa Ka, Police, Immigration, MI and Wa

3. Hong Kurh Talaw Kawsai Militia (Yishay)

4. Perh-wang a.k.a Mayflower Makahokham " Na Sa Ka

5. Kamnan Daeng Hsaimong Temple Muengdaeng (not in use since his death last year)

6. Hpak-kard Pi Sansai Leu " Military

7. Wiang-hawm Paleng Wiang-hawm Militia (Hawng-leuk)

8. Linlam Hwe Linlam Palenglong Militia (Hwe Linlam)

9. Namlook Namlook Banlawng Militia

10. Pa Kook a.k.a Kamnan Daeng Namhok Pa Kook Pangha Na Sa Ka