July 31 (NMG) Thai authorities issued an order not to allow any Burmese visitor to stay overnight at Thai-Burma border village near Mae Sariang in northern Thailand soon after anti-government Burmese organizations were asked either to relocate or shut down their offices in Mae Sariang, said villagers from Mae Samplet village.

Local authorities in a recent meeting gave instructions to villagers of Mae Samplet (Thaw Lae Hta) village on the bank of Salween River, which was on a trade route for Burmese businessmen from Kayah and Karen State.

Thai officials including Commander of Border Security Forces (Tha-Han-Phan) Battalions No. (36), village head of Thaw-Lae-Hta and Mayor of Su Mawe ordered the villagers of Thaw-Lae-Hta not to allow any Burmese visitors to stay overnight in the village, not to carry Burmese on their boats operating along Salween river and allow only one night to stay for the persons holding certificate from refugee camp, said a villager of Thaw-Lae-Hta.

However the officials did not give any reason why this order had to issue.

Thaw-Lae-Hta, a village close to Manerplaw- the former strong base of anti-government organizations such as Karen National Union (KNU) and several pro-democratic groups who opposed Rangoon government- used to have a sound atmosphere in the past. Although after Burmese government troops overtook Manerplaw, some business activities were allowed to carry out through the trade routes in Karen and Kayah States.

Due to mounted policies of international pressures especially led by US and EU on Burmese regime, Thai government is worrying the possible influx of refugees and migrant workers from Burma.

Network Media Group