Activists demand the ban of Thai goods and the closing of two Thai-Myanmar Friendship bridges.
PUBLISHED: 8 Feb 2025 at 14: 38
The Thai government’s decision to cut off energy and energy supplies to their areas has drawn the attention of Myanmar nationals who reside close to Tak state.
More than 100 protesters, mostly from Myawaddy in Kayin State, convened in front of Myawaddy Hospital around 8.30am on Saturday before marching towards the first and second Thai-Myanmar Friendship roads, aiming to prevent the important cross-border routes and destroy business and logistics, according to reports.
The Myanmar authorities did not permit the demonstrators to cross the second bridge on the Myanmar side, leading them to cross the next bridge before finally dispersing. First, as many as 3, 000 people were expected to join in the march.
The meeting came in response to a directive from Thai authorities on February 5 that restricted access to various locations across the border in Myanmar as part of efforts to combat fraud contact centers operating in the neighboring nation.
Although many of the large, illegitimate businesses targeted had the resources to purchase generators, the disruption has caused suffering for both domestic and small businesses on the Myanmar aspect, which led to the news of the rally.
The protesters demanded that Myanmar officers work with their Thai counterparts to reach an agreement regarding their situation during the rally. In order to address their grievances, they also demanded the closure of 59 healthy cross points, the two companionship bridges, and a boycott of Thai items.
Sangat police and officials were present to keep watch on the demonstration and keep it quiet.
The National Security Council ( NSC ) made the announcement this week that additional power cuts could be carried out in places besides Myanmar where criminal organizations are active.
Additionally, Laos and Cambodia receive electricity from the Provincial Electricity Authority ( PEA ). If notified, it could work as it did with Myanmar, regional media quoted an NSC established as saying.
The Thai state power provides power through four points in Laos and eight service factors in Cambodian and four factors in Cambodian border areas.