In Taunggyi, the state capital in southern Shan State, some highway bus terminals still sell tickets, but the junta has tightened checks on Shan State-issued National Identification Cards (NICs), making travel increasingly difficult for their holders.

Since February, the junta has required all holders of NICs starting with 13/xxx, specifically issued for Shan State, to present letters of recommendation from local authorities and police stations in order to travel on highway routes.

“The junta is strictly checking anyone with a 13/xxx NIC. If they try to go to the Kokang Self-Administered Zone, they won’t be allowed. The checks are even tougher on young people. Some bought tickets but weren’t allowed to board and were stuck at the gate,” a Taunggyi resident said.

Even if they show their NICs and recommendation letters, young and middle-aged people are still subjected to prolonged checks.

“Some ticket booths said you don’t need a recommendation letter to buy tickets. I think that’s because the buyers are older. Younger people, though, face much stricter checks,” another local noted.

Travelers leaving Taunggyi are stopped at checkpoints where the roads split toward Naypyidaw, Meiktila, and Nampan. Junta authorities use the Person Scrutinization and Monitoring System (PSMS) for checks at these locations.

The junta has announced that residents of Kyaukme, Lashio, Namtu, Thibaw (Hsipaw), and Konkyan townships in northern Shan State must show recommendation letters for highway travel. It is now starting to enforce the same rule in southern Shan State.