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New drive to promote regional trade



New drive to promote regional trade links

'Opening checkpoints 'may spread diseases'

Preecha Srisathan Kanchanaburi

5/5/98
Bangkok Post

Thailand has been pushing for the opening of more permanent checkpoints to
promote economic links with Burma and South Asian countries under the
western seaboard development project.

However, there are concerns that the planned opening of the checkpoints
would pose a threat to national security.

Some state agencies expressed fears the opening of the checkpoints would
encourage the influx of Karen and Burmese immigrants into Thailand and
these aliens might bring with them contagious diseases such as
tuberculosis, elephantiasis, syphilis, malaria and leprosy.

Despite fears of these problems, six provinces in the upper western part of
Thailand - Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Prachuap
Khiri Khan and Chumphon - have thrown their full support behind the opening
of the checkpoints in their provinces.

A recent seminar on the development of the upper west agreed in principle
that Thailand open more checkpoints to boost trade and businesses with
Burma and other neighbouring countries.

At present, only three border checkpoints - Tachilek-Mae Sai, Myawaddy-Mae
Sot and Kawthaung-Ranong - have been opened to facilitate cross-border
trading between the two countries.

The seminar, attended by representatives from the Office of the National
Economic and Social Development Board, the Commerce Ministry, the Interior
Ministry, the Public Health Ministry and local authorities, saw the
potential of four western provinces of Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Prachuap
Khiri Khan and Ranong to become an economic hub of the upper western part.

Under the plan, these four provinces will have to open their border
checkpoints to expand their trade and business with Burma.

In Kanchanaburi, the provincial authorities wanted the border checkpoints
to be opened at Three-Pagoda Pass in Sangkhla Buri district, I-tong Pass in
Thong Pha Phum district and at Ban Bongti in Muang district.

In Ratchaburi, it was suggested that a border checkpoint in Suan Phueng
district be opened.

Prachuap Khiri Khan authorities wanted the border checkpoints to be opened
at Ban Singkhorn and Ban Khlong Loy in Thab Sakae district while Ranong
province has been pushing for the upgrading and opening of the checkpoints
in Muang and Kra Buri districts.

Vaithaya Ungpraporn, deputy Kanchanaburi governor, said all three
checkpoints in his province are now temporary ones which need to be
upgraded to permanent checkpoints first before being opened to trade with
Burma.

However, budget constraints have prevented the plan to upgrade the
checkpoints.

Budgets are needed to construct a road from the Three-Pagoda Pass to
Moulmein in Burma, pointed out Mr Vaithaya.

Among the three checkpoints in Kanchanaburi, Ban Bongti checkpoint has the
potential to be developed to the permanent checkpoint as the private sector
has got a concession to construct a road linking Ban Bongti with Tavoy in
Burma.

Supoj Pothongkham, deputy Ratchaburi governor, called on the government to
allow the private sector to play a more active role in the western seaboard
development scheme.

In the current economic situation, private firms should be invited to
invest in constructing roads and other infrastructure utilities to
facilitate the opening of checkpoints with Burma.

In addition, the Thai government should coordinate with the Burmese
authorities to control Karen rebels who always stage unrest along the
Thai-Burmese border, said Mr Supoj.

Pairat Pothanachai, deputy Prachuap Khiri Khan governor, said the temporary
checkpoint at Ban Singkhorn has been equipped with a duty free shop and
other facilities.

He expected that it would be developed to be the permanent checkpoint
within three years.

Provincial authorities are currently mapping out plans to regulate
cross-border trade to prepare for the opening of the Ban Singkorn checkpoint.

Suthep Pinprasert, the palad changvad of Ranong province, said political
instability in Burma has hampered Thailand's efforts to expand trade and
businesses with Rangoon.

Burma's negative attitude towards Thailand in housing Karen refugees who
are supporters of Karen rebels was also another main factor that delayed
the western seaboard development plan.

Unless these problems and obstacles are solved, the plan to turn the
western border areas into an economic hub would not be successful, noted Mr
Suthep.

Meanwhile, Dr Saravut Suwannathappa, representative from the Public Health
Ministry, warned that the planned opening of checkpoints would encourage
the influx of alien workers into the country.

Communicable diseases spawned by these workers would pose serious threats
to the health of Thai people.

He quoted last year's official report as showing that 1,200 out of 24,637
Burmese immigrants had suffered from communicable diseases such as
tuberculosis, elephantiasis, syphilis, malaria and leprosy.

These diseases, particularly elephantiasis, will widely spread among Thais
if there is no preventive measures to cope with them, said Dr Saravut.

PM's Office Minister Savit Bhotivihok, who chaired the seminar on the
development of the upper west, said he would bring their views and other
observations in the planned opening of the checkpoints to be considered in
the government-level meeting.

However, he expressed confidence that the opening of the checkpoints and
the potential of all border provinces would make the development of the
western seaboard possible.