Installation of phones cost $ 1,000 each

Reporters: Hawkeye and Pegasus

The new phones soon to be installed in Tachilek, across Maesai, will cost 800,000 - 1,000,000 kyat ($800 - 1,000) each, but many have already submitted the application forms, according to sources from the border:

Even copies of the form have to be purchased at 500kyat ($0.50) each.

According to the residents of both sides of the border, the official price for each number is 500,000 kyat ($ 500), but compulsory contributions from 300,000 - 500,000 kyat ($ 300 - 500) for Mother and Child Care, Myanmar Women Affairs Federation, National Red Cross, Union Solidarity and Development Association and renovation of the Shwe Dagon replica have been added.

"If you think, the price is too high, you will remember that in the past, it even cost 200,000 baht ($ 5,000) to acquire one", said one of the businessmen.

In the adjoining northern areas of Thailand, procuring a telephone appears to be much cheaper. Up in Chiangmai's Wianghaeng district that borders with eastern Shan State's Mongton township, it had cost villagers only up to 3,000 baht ($ 75) minus the cost of a handset, to own one.