Burmese residents of the Myawaddy border township held a protest march today against Thailand’s utility supply cuts, which they claim are causing hardships, especially to hospital patients.
They also threatened to boycott goods from Thailand.
Police and members of the Border Guard Force of ethnic Karens have been deployed to facilitate the protest and to maintain order.
The protesters marched down several roads towards the Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, opposite Tha Sai Luat sub-district in Mae Sot, to demand the resumption of utility supplies.
They plan to submit a letter of protest Myanmar’s authorities, to be conveyed to Thai officials. The protest passed without incident.
A similar protest was also planned in Tachileik, opposite Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai, but it did not materialise. Many motorists and motorcyclists were, however, reported to be massing at the border checkpoint today, in the vicinity with the First Thai-
Myanmar Friendship Bridge, to apply for border passes to get into Mae Sai to refuel their vehicles.
A Thai official said that a false rumour about the closure of the border checkpoint had caused panic in Tachileik, prompting many people to flock to Mae Sai to get their vehicles filled up.
Staff at gas stations have been instructed not to sell petrol to customers using jerry cans or other containers, as part of the measures to prevent fuel smuggling.
Over a dozen tankers have been parked near the border crossing since February 5th, after they were barred from crossing into Myanmar.
