Strict screening of people crossing the border at Mae Sot, the Thai-Myanmar border

After the passing of the military service law in the Kingdom of Myanmar, those who entered through the Thai-Myanmar border at Mae Sot-Myawati No. 1 Friendship Bridge and entered with a 7-day border crossing pass were verified by Thai government officials and allowed to enter only if those with Thai IDs vouched for it. Thailand-based VOA reporter Ma Ayeema reports.

After the military conscription law was passed in Myanmar, people who entered through the Thailand-Myanmar border Mae Sot-Myawati No. 1 Friendship Bridge with registration and a (7) day border crossing pass were not allowed to enter, but the Mae Sot side said that they were being sent back if they did not have a guarantor.

“Yesterday, a friend of mine came to Thailand. He got me an official Myanmar ticket. When he came to Thailand, there were gate numbers. He called me. He asked me for help. Because he is from this side (Mae Sot) – he said that he must guarantee that this person does not live in Mae Sot. He who lives on this side must guarantee. Only then can he come. He said that he could not enter. So that child also turned back.”

This process started on February 20th, and the Thai side had to provide documents and guarantees from someone with credentials. But if the person who came doesn’t return, the insurer may have a problem, so it’s not easy to insure.

” And the person who came to buy the market, If it is true, they will be allowed to come only if there is a guarantor from this side. My own problem. Which boss is also the ticket on this side. What is the address? We have a pink card (work permit). All phone numbers must be given. He will copy everything and keep it.”

Since before the conscription law, Burmese citizens have been living on the Thai side without renewing their cross-border permits to work in Thailand. Labor activist U Moe Ying also said that since there are more people who don’t return like this, the Thai side is more strict.

“It’s a 7-day ticket. It’s a 7-day ticket for 6 nights. That’s because they came from Myanmar with a ticket. Because of that, many of them are staying in Mee and don’t come back. Many of them are still doing Mee. They work wherever they can. Then they work to go to Bangkok. That’s why they don’t come back.”

Now, the Thai side is arresting the sellers of head leaf embroidery from the Myawady side who are selling day and night in Mae Sot on the Thai side. He also said that he was arrested because he came with a valid border crossing ticket but did not have a permit to sell. Now the Myanmar side is getting stricter and some people coming from Thailand are being registered, while the Thai side is working to ensure that they can enter Thailand only if someone with Thai identity guarantees it.

Photo: Thai Lawa Checkpoint at Friendship Bridge No. 1 on the Burmese border. (Photo: Ayeema/VOA)