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BKK Post (18-10-99) Closed checkpoi

Subject: BKK Post (18-10-99) Closed checkpoints help boost tourism

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<font size=5><b>Closed checkpoints help boost tourism<br>
</font><font size=4><i>Hotel occupancy up in Chiang Rai<br>
<br>
</font></i><font size=5>B</font></b><font size=3>risk business has been
reported at the border in Chiang Rai, where vendors hope the Burmese
government will keep the legal checkpoints closed for as long as
possible.<br>
Despite the adverse effects on big export enterprises, the closure is a
blessing for retailers and vendors, who are enjoying a jump in sales as
visitors barred from crossing into Burma are spending their money on the
Thai side.<br>
Daeng Makmee, a trader in the border district of Mae Sai, insisted the
closure was not all doom and gloom as it had increased internal
spending.<br>
He said the border closure-ordered by Rangoon in a retaliation for
Thailand's handling of the embassy siege on Oct 1-had perked up business
in the district, and hotel occupancy had risen to 60%.<br>
Goanpot Asavinvichit, the deputy commerce minister, visited Mae Sai
yesterday and was briefed on the border trade situation.<br>
Commerce officials from border provinces said exports to Burma were at a
standstill and damage totalled 30 million baht per border pass
daily.<br>
The ban, imposed on border channels in Ranong, Tak and Chiang Rai, has
reportedly given rise to black market activities.<br>
Mr Goanpot was told that the border pass in Tak's Mae Sot district, with
the busiest trade exchanges, was hit hardest by the closure.<br>
Anant Laothamthat, chairman of Chiang Rai's chamber of commerce, said
large quantities of farm goods, fuel and building materials destined for
Burma were stranded in Mae Sai.<br>
Many businessmen were already turning to Laos for export and many Thai
goods were reportedly being re-exported to Burma via the Pong border
route with Laos.<br>
The closure has also delayed road and bridge construction connecting the
two countries, Mr Goanpot was told.<br>
Meanwhile, Burmese residents in towns opposite Thailand were facing a
food shortage, compounded by soaring prices of fresh food imported
illegally from Thailand. <br>
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</font><font size=5><b>Tanker, cargo boat destroyed by explosion in
Burmese port<br>
</font><font size=4><i>Police arrest three suspected saboteurs<br>
<br>
</font></i><font size=3>Atthaya Chuennirun<br>
</b>A Burmese oil tanker and a cargo boat anchored near the Thai border
in Burma have been destroyed by an explosion and police suspect
sabotage.<br>
Smuggled oil and other cargo worth an estimated 40 million baht were
destroyed. Two crewmen died.<br>
About five hours afterward, Thai police stopped a long-tailed boat and
arrested three Burmese with 19 sticks of dynamite, detonators and
detonation wires.<br>
Police said an oil tanker owned by Kyaw Lwin Co exploded at Ban Laem pier
in Burma's Kawthaung township at about 11pm on Saturday.<br>
Flames from the blast spread to a nearby cargo boat, the Ko Ko Ta, which
reportedly carried a full load of smuggled cement and other cargo worth
about 20 million baht.<br>
Sources said since the Burmese shut the border two weeks ago smugglers
have been bringing fuel and other goods into Burma through Kawthaung
township.<br>
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