Mme Khin Nyunt cashes in on Thai demand for young women

Human Rights

Mme Khin Nyunt cashes in on Thai demand for young women

Demand for funds for the women federation headed by General Khin Nyunt's wife in Burma and demand for young migrant women in Thailand have formed a natural alliance against Bangkok's anti-human trafficking campaign, reports Pegasus from Maesai.

In eastern Shan State, where women under 25 have been prohibited from coming to the border without solid excuse since 2000, the Myanmar Women Affairs Federation has made "allowance" for those who can pay 150,000 kyat (about $ 150) for transit from Kengtung to Tachilek, a distance of 160 km (100 miles) according to sources.

"The directive was said to have been issued by the Rangoon head office on 1 June 2004," said a 24-year old girl from Kengtung. "Buses and trucks carrying young women also bear MWAF stickers as a signal to authorities along the road not to make searches."

Out of 150,000 kyat, the bus drivers are paid 20,000 kyat (about $20). The normal fare is 6,000 kyat ($ 6).

Traffickers are liable to a 3 year imprisonment plus 50,000 kyat fine, said sources.

The cost for passage from the border to Bangkok has also rocketed. "Two years ago, it was 5,000 baht ($125) each. Last year, it became 7,000 ($175). At the start of the year, it went up to 10,000 ($250). Now, it's 15,000 ($ 375)," said a businessman.

Thailand declared war on human trafficking on 6 August, two months after the United States put the kingdom on a human trafficking watch list.