Burma reopening border on 1 October

Burma reopening border on 1 October, says royal project official

Thai-Burma relations 

An official working at the royal development project in Chiangrai has told S.H.A.N. recently that he is confident Rangoon will be unbarring its territorial doors once again on 1 October. 

"Don't use my name", said the smiling official, who was still in his early thirties, at the office of Doi Tung Royal Project in Mae Fa Luang District, "but the reopening will definitely be on the First of October." 

The border has been closed since fighting broke out between the Burma Army and the Shan State Army opposite Chiangmai province on 20 May. 

Observers say the date of the expected reopening coincides with the visit of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to Burma at the end of this month at the invitation of the country's military rulers. "Her august presence will certainly ease up the tensions and smooth out things," said a Shan businessman in Maesai. 

Doi Tung is also in the initial stage of conducting a feasibility study for the "Drug-free Village" project in Yawngkha a.k.a. Nayao in Monghsat Township, opposite Mae Fa Luang, for the Wa re-settlers coming from the far north. 
Bangkok has already agreed to roll out 20 million baht as a starting fund. 

Human rights activists have urged the Project not to ignore the original inhabitants of Yawngkha who were displaced by the Wa resettlement program. 

Follow-up:

Another source reported the next day HRH Princess "will not go to Burma next month or in this year."