Thai-Myanmar border closure due to tensions among Myanmar armies

29 July 2010 (NNT) — Thai-Myanmar border closure is likely a result of internal conflicts in Myanmar not the dispute over the construction of a river dyke over the Moei River, according to Chairman of the local coordination center of the Thailand-Myanmar Township Border Committee, Colonel Padung Yingpaiboonsuk.

Internal tensions in Myanmar is expected to lessen soon as both Thai and Myanmar citizens have been facing hardships as no trade movements have been reported since the shutdown of a major Thai-Myanmar checkpoint. However, Thailand should not pressurize Myanmar but to retain composure over the situation.

The potential clashes between Myanmar’s ruling military junta and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) was cited as internal conflict in Myanmar, according to Col Padung. The DKBA controlled territories have been cordoned off by the Myanmar authorities lately in order to turn the DKBA members to Myanmar Army-controlled Border Guard Force (BGF).

Thailand, however, will prepare living space and supports for the Myanmar and other ethnic refugees if situation escalated.