Jromerz
09-03-07, 06:55 PM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6430515.stm
Illicit trade on the Thai-Burma border
In the last of a series from the Thai-Burma border, the BBC's Kate McGeown looks at trade between the two nations, including the thriving black market.
The river Moei forms a natural divide between Thailand and Burma - and separates the Thai border town of Mae Sot from its Burmese counterpart, Myawadi.
If you go down to the river during the day, it looks a quiet, peaceful place.
A few people wander across the large Friendship Bridge connecting the two countries, but most are asleep at home, or idly chatting with friends.
At night, though, it is a different story. Suddenly, all the people on the riverbank spring into action, rowing or even swimming across the water, laden with commodities to sell on the other side.
This nocturnal trade is easy enough to explain: While Thailand has relatively few import and export restrictions, the Burmese government has banned the import of many basic commodities, to ensure it retains tight control over the movement of goods...
Illicit trade on the Thai-Burma border
In the last of a series from the Thai-Burma border, the BBC's Kate McGeown looks at trade between the two nations, including the thriving black market.
The river Moei forms a natural divide between Thailand and Burma - and separates the Thai border town of Mae Sot from its Burmese counterpart, Myawadi.
If you go down to the river during the day, it looks a quiet, peaceful place.
A few people wander across the large Friendship Bridge connecting the two countries, but most are asleep at home, or idly chatting with friends.
At night, though, it is a different story. Suddenly, all the people on the riverbank spring into action, rowing or even swimming across the water, laden with commodities to sell on the other side.
This nocturnal trade is easy enough to explain: While Thailand has relatively few import and export restrictions, the Burmese government has banned the import of many basic commodities, to ensure it retains tight control over the movement of goods...