Myanmar-Thai border gates closed, leaving hundreds of trucks stranded
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Hundreds of trucks are waiting on both sides in Myanmar and Thailand for the border gates to reopen.
PHOTO: ELEVEN MEDIA GROUP/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
YANGON - According to traders, hundreds of trucks have been waiting for the border gates to reopen at the Myanmar-Thailand border town of Pago Thyusu in Karen state’s Khyin Peygyi township.
A trader said that it is not yet known on which day the border gates of the two countries will reopen, adding that hundreds of trucks are currently waiting on both sides in Myanmar and Thailand.
The trader also noted that the Myanmar side closed the border crossings on June 17. “When the Thai side was closed, there were no cars coming in and out. They are waiting for... the gates to reopen,” he said.
Although the Myanmar-Thai border gates have been closed, residents reported that they have been able to take goods at some other gateways. According to subsequent reports, the border gates in Pagoda Trisu City have reopened.
Meanwhile, an official from the Bohsu City Regional Development Office said there will be an announcement on June 22 regarding when the border gates will open.
“We are unsure if the Three Pagodas Pass will continue to have its border gates closed or if it would be reopened before June 22,” said another official from the Pagosu City Regional Development Office.
Residents of Pago Tso Su said that Thai goods were still being transported from the side of Pago Tso Su, at a time when the roads from the towns of Myawati to Kok Krait were impassable.
“The roads on the Myawati side are bad. There are more goods coming down from Thailand to the Three Pagodas Pass than before,” said a resident of Pagoda Three Su.
The Thai-Myanmar regional authorities have coordinated and opened 22 illegal border trade points, including the Pagoda Three Su border point, on the Thai-Myanmar border.
Frequent situational shutdowns have been reported.
The border trade points that have been officially opened by the two governments of Thailand and Myanmar are Tachilek Mae Sai and Myawati-Mae Sot. There are also gates in Hat Khe-Nam Phu Ro and Kaw Thaung-Ranong.
While passports are required at these border trade gates, individuals can reportedly go back and forth with a temporary travel permit as well. ELEVEN MEDIA GROUP/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
