More fleeing to Thailand

More fleeing to Thailand

Since the beginning of May, Shans from central Shan State have been entering Thailand in droves, said sources coming from Maehongson. 

Most of them are from townships in Loilem District, they said, age 15-45, one third male and the rest females. 

They cited several reasons for their departures: frequent forced labor, confiscation of their lands, forced selling of rice at "knock-down" prices, cheap wages and rising cost of living. 

"For instance, people in Mongnai who grow garlic are not allowed to sell their produce in Thailand where it fetches a good price but forced to sell locally at K. 300 per viss", said one. 

"The daily wages at construction sites range from K. 300 to K. 500 and K. 1,000", said another. Only the top wage earner (i.e. K. 1,000) is able to feed his family. For the rest, it is barely enough to survive. The cheapest rice is K. 80-90 per pay (3.3 liters) and even a bowl of cheap noodles costs K. 150." 

The current exchange rate in Maehongson is B. 6.50 to per hundred kyat. 

The carfare to Tasopteng (the ferry crossing between Langkher and Homong) is K. 4,000; ferry is K. 50 and transport to Homong is K. 3,000. From Homong to Maehongson, the traveler has to pay in Thai baht, 250-300 each. And from Maehongson, it is B. 2,500-3,000 to Chiangmai and B. 4,000-5,000 to Bangkok, according to them.