Tak border checkpoints remain open despite threat of closure by Karenni armed group
The two border checkpoints with Myanmar in Tak remained open on Monday despite threats from a Karenni armed group to close them.
The armed group had threatened to force the closure of the checkpoints in retaliation for alleged kickback demands from some Thai cops.
After unconfirmed reports went viral on social media on Sunday, the Tak Immigration Office began monitoring both checkpoints closely. However, Tak immigration police said they saw no attempts to close the border from the Myanmar side.
The two permanent checkpoints with Myanmar in Tak are the Ban Rim Moei checkpoint at the 1st Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge and the Ban Wang Takhian Tai checkpoint at the 2nd Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, both in Mae Sot district.
It was reported on Saturday that the commander of the Karenni armed group became infuriated when a senior police officer from the Provincial Police Bureau 6 dispatched a team of 10 Thai cops to demand higher protection fees for areas where Chinese investors have been operating casinos.
The Karenni armed group serves as a border guard under the command of the Myanmar military.
Reports said the Thai cops threatened they would make it tougher for Thais to cross the border to gamble in the casino if they do not get higher monthly wages.
On Sunday, acting Tak police chief Pol Colonel
Sathaporn Rodphothong instructed Mae Sot and Mae Ramad police chiefs to investigate if Thai cops had crossed the border to demand kickbacks from the Karenni group.
Immigration Bureau’s chief Pol Lt-General Itthipol Itthisarnronnachai has also instructed Tak immigration chief, Pol Colonel Borwornphop Sunthornrekha, to check and verify the reports.
