IMNA – The Karen National Union (KNU) has
reopened the main highway from the Thai-Burma border township of Three
Pagoda Pass (TPP) to Thanphyuzayart today, December 7th. The
highway
leading from the township to Thanphyuzayart has been closed since the
beginning of the rainy season. Each year the road becomes unusable as
many sections are engulfed by floodwaters.
Of the three main routes that allow residents to travel from TPP to
Thanphyuzayart, the direct highway is the safest and shortest route. The
most commonly used alternate route, from TPP to Ye Township, is very
hazardous and a lot of accidents occur along the windy and perilous
road.
“(KNU) started to collect tax from car owners today, who will run the
highway TPP to Thanphyuzayart” said one car driver hoping to depart
from TPP.
The KNU have set the tax for 2012 to use the roadway at 11,300 baht
per car for an annual pass. This has increased from the 10,300 baht
price in 2010, which also required a parcel of rice.
“We have paid the tax today and we can travel tomorrow” said another driver waiting in TPP.
Along the highway to Thanphyuzayart, which comprises approximately 60
miles of the total 70-mile journey from TPP, there are a reported 33
checkpoints along the road. In addition to the initial taxes paid by
residents in TPP, each checkpoint requires a payment of varying degrees.
The checkpoints are controlled by the KNU, the Democratic Karen
Buddhist Army (DKBA), by Burmese government troops and by the New Mon
State Party (NMSP).
On January the 28th this year, the KNLA demanded that TPP residents
pay approximately 2.5 million baht collectively. This is again an
increase from the 700,000 baht estimated to have been collected in 2010.
The TPP Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) have claimed
that the KNLA threatened the TPDC with destruction in the local area if
the taxes were not raised and handed over. The township has seen an
increase in conflict since the KNLA moved into the area, and conflict
has even occurred in the town centre, a new and disturbing phenomenon.
Last year the KNLA Brigade no. 6 blocked the highway so as to disrupt
the movement of government troops and food supplies in the area. This
year’s cool season is the first major opportunity for residents to
utilize the road for trade since 2010, despite the trip being stalled
continuously by checkpoints and taxes.
