DKBA SMUGGLING BUSINESS

(By Taramon / Sangkhlaburi: January 15, 2004)

The pro-Rangoon Democratic Karen Buddhist Army has been actively involved in
the illegal vehicle business along the Three Pagodas Pass- Thanbyuzayat motor road this year, reported a business community from the Thai-Burma border.

Local businessmen who once cooperated business agreements with the cease-fire New Mon State Party in the past now turn to the DKBA to earn more money and gain opportunity in dealing with the Burmese authorities.

The motor car smuggling business from neighboring Thailand to the pariah state or Burma along this road is getting busier after the DKBA expanded its business chain from Myawaddy- Moulmein road to Three Pagodas Pass- Moulmein.

"The DKBA has more power than the NMSP and that is why the local businessmen
turn to the DKBA despite the Mon businessmen comprising about 80 percent",
said an officer from the NMSP checkpoint.

A trader said that they have suffered from high taxation and discrimination made by the Karen National Union's check-point and now pay more tax than what was agreed to in a prior agreement between the rebels and traders.

"The verbal agreement was to tax 100 Baht per one car crossing a KNU checkpoint (gate) but in reality, traders have been taxed for 70 Baht per one pack", complained a businessman.

According to the passengers, the SPDC's checkpoint in Nankween is the worst
and the traders are rudely treated as if they are not human beings.

However the check-point officers cannot tax the vehicles run by the DKBA group while the NMSP members were taxed for the illegal car business.