The Burmese consul general of the newly established Burmese consulate in Chiang Mai, U Kaung San Lwin, said Naypyitaw would only consider opening new border checkpoints after the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) has been signed.
He made the comment when he was speaking to business, academic and administrative representatives from four northern Thai provinces on 22 August at a seminar held at the UNISERV Conference Centre in Chiang Mai.
The seminar was held to discuss the planned opening of two border checkpoints: Ban Huey Ton Noon, also known as BP (Boundary Post) 13, between Thailand’s Maehongson and Burma’s Mese; and Ban Laktaeng, between Thailand’s Chiangmai and Burma’s Mongton. Representatives from the northern Thai provinces of Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang and Maehongson attended the seminar.
The seminar was opened by Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai, Chana Phaengpiboon, who said: “The planned opening of the two temporary checkpoints will be the forerunner to a permanent opening heralding the launch of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) by the end of the year.”
But, U Kaung San Lwin said the planned opening should wait until after the signing of the NCA, the draft of which was finalized in negotiations between the government's Union Peacemaking Work Committee (UPWC) and the ethnic armed organization’s Special Delegation (SD) in Rangoon on 6 and 7 August.
The Restoration Council of Shan State/ Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) is active in areas opposite Chiangmai and the Karenni National Progressive Party/Karenni Army (KNPP/KA) is active in areas opposite Maehongson’s western border with Karenni State.
