The R3b, or the road from China’s Jing Hong to Thailand’s Chiangrai through Burma’s Kengtung, is shorter but exorbitant fees imposed by various checkpoints along the way have posed a real challenge, said a Chinese official at a meeting with Chiangrai authorities on Monday, according to The Manager Online.
Xixuangbanna autonomous prefecture will be dispatching an envoy to Kengtung, the capital of Eastern Shan State, to discuss the matter, added Mr Qian Min.
In contrast, the R3a or the Jinghong-Chiangrai road via Laos’ Bo Ten, though longer is a lot less challenging, according to locals.
The meeting was hosted by Sumeth Saengnimnual, Governor of Chiangrai, for his counterpart from Xixuangbanna, known by Thais, Laos and Shans as Sibsawngpanna (12,000 rice fields), Ms Dao Lin-in and her delegation.
The Burmese side of the Mongla-Daluo checkpoint is under the control of the ceasefire group National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS), led by Sai Leun aka Lin Mingxian. The 20th anniversary of the group’s “peace” with the country’s military rulers was celebrated on 30 June.
Shanland.org
