The Burmese government recently closed three major border checkpoints for alleged security reasons: the northern border crossing between Mae Sai and Tachilek, the western checkpoint between Mae Sot and Myawadi, and the crossing between Ranong and Victoria Point on the Andaman Sea coast. The closures came after a series of clashes between rival ethnic militias and the exchange of fire between one of these militias and the Thai army in border regions of Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai provinces. The closure in the north trapped some 200 Thai tourists in Tachilek, Burma. The Thai army has agreed to withdraw some of its troops from the area, but travelers should be aware that further conflict is likely in the northern border areas because one of the Burmese ethnic militias is a major producer of opium, heroin and methamphetamine, which is expected to flood into Thailand this year.
