Speaking to business, academic and administrative representatives from 4 northern provinces on Saturday, 22 August, the head of the newly established consulate general of Burma said Naypyitaw would consider opening new border checkpoints only after the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) has been signed.

The seminar 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, was held at Uniserv Hotel, and attended by representatives from Chiangmai, Lampoon, Lampang and Maehongson provinces.

It was opened by Deputy Governor Chana Phaengpiboon, who was quoted as saying, “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.”

Meanwhile, U Kaung San Lwin, Burma’s consul general, said the planned opening should wait until after the signing of the NCA, the draft of which was finalized on 6-7 August negotiations between Naypyitaw’s Union Peacemaking Work Committee (UPWC) and the ethnic armed organization’s Special Delegation (SD) in Rangoon.

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) in areas opposite Maehongson’s west. Both have concluded preliminary ceasefire with Naypyitaw.

The delegation from the seminar met the Burmese delegation led by Lt-Col Tin Aung Moe, Commander of Infantry Battalion 65, and Maj Sai Lake, leader of the RCSS/SSA liaison office in Monghta sub-township, Mongton township, at Chiangmai’s Wiang Haeng district on the following day. It was agreed that a weekly market fair will be held every Thursday, starting tomorrow, 27 August, according to a Thai village headman.