MAE HONG SON - The Thai ambassador in Myanmar has visited three temporary border crossings in this northern province in a move to encourage the Myanmar government to upgrade one of them to a permanent checkpoint.
Ambassador Jukr Boon-Long visited Ban Doi Saeng crossing (BP 9) in Muang district; Ban Huai Ton Noon in Khun Yuam district (BP 13); and Ban Sao Hin in Mae Sariang district on Friday.
All of them are temporary border checkpoints. The government wants to develop them as permanent crossings for commercial purposes, to boost the border economy.
Mr Jukr was accompanied by provincial governor Suebsak Iamwicharn, senior military officers and local officials.
Speaking after the visit, the ambassador said he felt Ban Huai Ton Noon border crossing in tambon Mae Ngao was the most appropriate to develop first as a permanent checkpoint, although the Myanmar government had expressed more interest in promoting Ban Doi Saeng checkpoint.
Mr Jukr said Myanmar preferred Ban Doi Saeng in tambon Pang Moo because it intended to develop roads around this border area, which was three hours from its provincial centre of Loikaw.
Although Ban Huai Ton Noon checkpoint was five hours from Loikaw, there were several routes to other cities and towns in Myanmar. Villages near this border checkpoint already had a strong commercial relationship.
Mr Jukr said he would support the upgrading of Ban Huai Ton Noon to a permanent crossing, and present the proposition to both countries’ governments.
Mr Suebsak voiced support for Mr Jukr’s opinion, saying it was right to develop Ban Huai Ton Noon first as the area already served as a trading hub for Thai vendors and Myanmar villagers in Kayah State.
With support from the Thai embassy in Yangon, there was a high possibility Ban Huai Ton Noon would be chosen, he said.
