Thai-Myanmar border trade resumes, DKBA reopens border crossings

TAK, THAILAND, May 12 (TNA) - Trade activities between Thailand and Myanmar along the common border resumed Saturday, after the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) in Myanmar has decided to reopen border crossings. The DKBA’s decision has delighted both Thai and Myanmar people, as they are now able to resume their daily business activities as usual. Samean Thongthang, a village headman of Baan Valley Nuea in Phop Phra district of Thailand's northwestern Tak province, said that the border trade was lively Satruday morning, as Myanmar traders crossed the border to buy and sell goods in the Thai side. Nevertheless, Thailand's five mine companies running their businesses in Myanmar said that they will not allow their workers to cross the border to work until they are certain that their workers will be safe. The rebel DKBA group last week closed twelve border crossings in areas under its influence on the Myanmar soil, opposite Tak province from Umphang to Phop Phra and Mae Sot districts, in retaliation against the Thai government’s earlier decision to put its leader Major General Na Kahm Mwe on a list of wanted drug dealers. (TNA)