Thailand: Trouble in Tachileik stymies border trade

• Feb 22, 2021

CHIANG RAI: Protests against the Myanmar military takeover in the border town of Tachileik have left many people stranded and stalled trade in farm products.

Pagaimas Viera, deputy chairwoman of the Chiang Rai chamber of commerce, said it was hard to predict whether the protests in Tachileik, which is adjacent to Chiang Saen on the Thai side, will be protracted.

The protests have continued for two weeks, forcing Myanmar authorities to close their side of the border.

As a result, 33 Thai-owned lorries on their way to deliver farm products from Myanmar were now stuck in the troubled town. Also, about 70 Thais remain stranded there, according to Ms Pagaimas.

She estimated the border trade to be worth between 30 million to 50 million baht a day. Thailand exports mostly fuel and daily goods and imports farm produce via that checkpoint.

Anti-coup protesters in Tachileik have gathered near a bridge over the Sai River and are demanding the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi, the country’s deposed leader, from the junta’s arrest.

On Saturday afternoon, the security situation intensified in Tachileik after authorities reportedly arrested three core protesters.

Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2071659/trouble-in-tachileik-stymies-border-trade