Welcome to Myanmar
A bunch of years ago, before Thailand and Myanmar opened up their Northern border, I was traveling in the North of Thailand, around Mae Sai.
Mae Sai is a small border town on the Thai side that has little of value to offer besides some stalls that sell souvenirs from Myanmar, but the border itself is intriguing. Well 18 years ago standing on the Thai side of the river, I was guessing of how life in Myanmar was. I observed Thai and Myanmar people were able to cross the bridge that divided the two countries. I was told by the Thai locals that the bridge crossing was only for Thai and Myanmar people and that foreigners – farang were not allowed to cross to Myanmar from Thailand.
Being that I have traveled to many countries on my travels I felt bad that I could not enter Myanmar, but that was how things stood. All of a sudden, a bunch of young lads came over to my Japanese girlfriend and me, peddling cartons of Marlboro cigarettes. They were asking 11 usd per carton. I was a thrifty devil and always tried to get a better price. So, I asked them if the price was cheaper on the Myanmar side. They replied that it was. Being a smarty-pants that I was, I observed that the local people that were crossing to Myanmar did not show any id but just simply crossed. I figured why couldn’t my Japanese girlfriend just cross to Myanmar and buy Marlboro cigarettes at a cheaper price there. The boys told me that there is a market on the Myanmar side where you can buy Marlboro cigarettes.
I implored my lady friend for a while and she finally agreed to do the deed. I had no idea how much cheaper were the cigarettes there, but buying at the source was the intent.
She crossed from Thailand to Myanmar, disappearing from my sight in the sea of other people. I had nothing to do but be content to wait her return. I went to a coffee shop near by and waddled the time away. 30 minutes have passed, and she was not back. Another 30 minutes and still no sign of her. 2 hours have passed, and I was worried as shit! “Why was she not back?” I thought to myself. A few minutes latter I saw her silhouette emerge from the crowd. She was sobbing alligator tears. “Kayo Chan, what is wrong?” I asked her as she neared me. “They would not let me go until I paid them 300 usd!” She replied. “Oh my God!” I exclaimed. “What is wrong with them?” “Only Thai people are allowed to cross into Myanmar as you knew. So I had to pay them a fine or they threatened to take me to Yangon - the capital, for investigation!” She said. “Wow, but you did not have any cash on you! How did you pay them?” I said. “They made me sign over my travel checks to them. They did not even take a photocopy of my passport!” She cried out.
I was angry, but there was nothing I could have done. My girl crossed illegally into Myanmar. Thai ladies went in and out of Myanmar without being checked for documents. The Myanmar border patrol guards knew she was not Thai when they let her pass! It was all a ploy to collect a fine from her, which for sure they pocketed, because she did not get any official receipt! Heck, they even took travel checks! The balls on these Assholes! But there was nothing we could have done, and I just thanked God that my baby was safe in my arms. “Kayo Chan, do not worry,” I consoled her. “It was all my fault. I should not have sent you across to buy cigarettes for me. It was really stupid of me, and I am just glad that you are back safe in Thailand.” But my girlfriend, through her tears, expressed to me that she was not angry with me, but angry at the military guards for stealing 300 usd from her.
Myanmar Thailand Military Alert
during a border closing
Myanmar Military Junta is a Corrupt Regime
The story that I’ve just told you happened 18 years ago. The border crossing between Thailand and Myanmar is now officially open for foreign nationals for a day pass with a fee of 10 usd and a 7 day inland pass for a few hundred kilometers at a higher price. Still the border area around Mae Sai on the Myanmar side is being well guarded because of the Karen refuges who are being pushed out of Myanmar to reside illegally in Thailand refuge camps. With some living there under less then hospitable conditions for up to 20 years. Thailand just does not want them, and makes it very hard for them to come into the Thai society. Thailand Burma Border Consortium.
Karen Refuge Camp in Thailand
Pigs at a Royal Ball
While most Myanmar citizens are living bellow any imaginable level of poverty, the military junta splurges vivaciously on banquets and weddings for their top echelon members. “Strings of diamonds, cascades of champagne and tens of millions of dollars worth of gifts would be considered ostentatious at any wedding. But in Burma, one of the poorest countries in Asia, the luxury on display in a video of the wedding laid on by the head of the junta, General Than Shwe, for his daughter, has left Burmese people up in arms!” Said Jonathan Watts, east Asia correspondent The Guardian. 50 million usd were spent on the lavish wedding!
Myanmar Junta Wedding
