Border still closed

Border still closed

News in Pictures: No. 03/05/2004

Boundary Pillar #1 at Kiu Hpawawk, opposite Nawng-ook (Arunothai) village, Chiangdao district, Chiangmai province, 100 km northwest of the provincial seat, was opened on 22 October 1997, 3 days a week (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) from 06:00 - 18:00, "for bilateral trade and tourism."

But since May 2002, following clashes between the Shan State Army and the Burma Army, it has been closed. An anti-tank ditch, about 1 km long, has been dug on the Burmese side.

The picturesare taken from the Thai side. The billboard, written in Thai, reads:
Border trade-yard
Kiu Hpawawk
Arunothai village, Tambon Muangna, Chiangdao district, Chiangmai province

Despite the closure at the official checkpoints, trade and border crossings in the unofficial checkpoints are still commonplace, according to the locals.