Mongla runs dry

by admin — last modified 2009-02-19 07:46

Business in Mongla, the headquarters of Sai Leun-led ceasefire group, opposite China’s Daluo, has gone slack since early January after Chinese authorities ordered indefinite closure of the border checkpoint, according to travelers returning from eastern Shan State.


By SHAN
19 February 2009

South of Mongla at Wan Hsio, where several casinos are located, there are few big spenders from China and many have been forced to close shop.

At Mongla itself, many restaurants and hotels are suffering from loss of custom. “At the hotel where I stay, there were only two other guests,” said a visitor from Thailand who requested anonymity. “I also visited a few discotheques and pubs in the evening but found only a handful of clients.”

As the checkpoint on the Lam was closed to outsiders (natives are given only one-day passes), many have resorted to crossing the border illegally from other points. “That involves some risks too,” said a local, “because there are Chinese patrols and if you are caught, you’ll be fined Yuan 1,000-1,500 ($151.5-227) . That’s a huge sum for farmers like us.”

Border checkpoint in Mongla Former casino now hotel

The reasons for the closure, as explained by both friendly officials and locals, were as follows:
Frequent seizures of drugs along the route
The Chinese attempt to connect with Thailand through Mongla-Kengtung- Maesai highway being thwarted by Mongla leaders’ lack of cooperation
Burmese customs’ request for a 30% share in the cross border revenue was turned down by the Mongla authorities thereby incurring the wrath of the Burmese authorities who had notified their counterparts in China to close the border checkpoint
Rumors that Mongla will be taken over by the Burma Army in 2010 had thrown so much panic among the populace that some of those who have prospered are moving out to China and other places

The fear was intensified by the military build-up by both the Burma Army and the National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS) along the Lwe that roughly serves as a boundary between the two sides. “On 7 February, our troops were digging trenches near Taping on the Lwe,” said an NDAA-ESS officer. “The Burma Army unit nearby saw what we were doing and protested. We had a heated argument, but we refused to give in, because if it was okay for them to reinforce themselves, why should it be wrong for us to do the same thing.”


The same officer nevertheless was frank in admitting that the group’s non-compliance to the junta’s demand to disarm depended much on the United Wa State Army (UWSA) its stronger ally next door. “Without the Wa, it’ll be difficult for us to go against the Burma Army’s continued pressure.”

The group, officially known as Shan State Special Region #4, has 3 brigades: Central, 369th (mostly Shan) and 911st (mostly Akha). Estimated strength is 4,500.

Thai travelers who were there last week said they saw a lot of trucks with NW (Northern Wa) number plates, but very few armed Wa fighters in Mongla. “Of course, Wa troops, if they are in Mongla territory, will be stationed well outside the town, not inside,” said one.

Another traveler who met a visitor from Panghsang said he saw the Wa army selecting and clearing sites along the way. “I heard that they have been marked as temporary holding centers for refugees if war breaks out.”

Both the UWSA and the NDAA-ESS are under heavy pressure to “exchange arms for peace,” an official term for surrender. However the Shan State Army (SSA) North, their remain ally in the west, appears to have been given better treatment by the junta who told them the question whether to surrender or become part of Burma’s armed forces would be put on a back burner until the new government emerges.



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