Starting in January of this year, more migrants have returned to Burma than entered into Thailand for work opportunities explained one man who works as a transporter of migrants between Thailand and Burma.

Due to the ongoing conflict between the DKBA and the KNU against the Burmese army in the Three Pagodas Pass surrounding areas and subsequent closing of one of the roads leading to TPP, the number of migrant workers entering into Thailand has decreased.

“Every year during this time [the cold season] 100 migrant workers would enter into Thailand at a time, however, this year only 30 people have been entering at a time,” said one male broker.

“Currently, the highest number of migrant workers returning to Burma at a time is 300, with the least being 100 people per time,” explained this broker.

One man who transports migrants into Thailand complained, “there are no more migrants this year. Last year we brought in 30 people at a time, but 12 is the highest number of people we have brought in,” he said.

There are three routes from Mon state to TPP: Ye to TPP, Thanphuzayart to TPP, and Kyainnseikyi to TPP. Currently, one can only use the road from Ye to TPP because of Burmese military operations in the other areas, and KNU closing those roads in response.

Of the three routes to TPP, Thanphuzayart road is the easiest on which to travel because its flat and has no mountains. Once the road from Thanphyuzyart to TPP closed, drivers moved their operations to Ye.

Last year, the transportation fee from Ye to TPP was 500 baht but, as a result of the Thanphyuzyart road being closed, the fee increased to 1000 baht,” said one passenger who traveled from Ye to TPP.

The Ye route is mountainous and has subsequently resulted in many accidents. In 2011 already, cars have been reported to have flipped four times, with three people dying and 20 injured.