Published
Friday, March 7, 2008 - 17:16
Intelligence officer makes a pile in bribes
The Burmese Army intelligence officers have been taking bribes from local teak traders in Three Pagoda Pass on the Thai-Burma border gate, said a local business man.
The Burmese Army intelligence officers have been taking bribes from local teak traders in Three Pagoda Pass on the Thai-Burma border gate, said a local business man.
The officer demands 15,000 baht from each teak truck going to the Thai side. The demand is made for opening the border gate. Many trucks queue up in front of the gate every day in the early morning and wait for the Thai gate to open, said an eyewitness.
"The Thai gate opens at half past five in the morning. The gate on the Burmese side closes at six am. So, we only have 30 minutes to go across the border," said a truck driver.
The officer does not allow small trucks or motorcycle taxis unless he receives 10,000 baht, the truck owner said.
The border gate has been blocked only on the Burmese side and Thai authorities keep their side open. The gate was closed for one year after the Karen Buddhist Army kidnapped two Thai policemen.
The trucks importing teak to the Thai side have to enroll in advance the day before, said the driver.
There were multiple association checkpoints at the base of the gate. Now the border is closed and the multiple checkpoints have been moved. Only the Burma Army is allowed to guard the gate.
According to an official source, the army intelligence officer did not distribute the taxes he got from the trucks to the ministry of forestation and immigration. Neither did he share 50 percent of the taxes for township development, whereas other the government public servants have to distribute the money.
The officer demands 15,000 baht from each teak truck going to the Thai side. The demand is made for opening the border gate. Many trucks queue up in front of the gate every day in the early morning and wait for the Thai gate to open, said an eyewitness.
"The Thai gate opens at half past five in the morning. The gate on the Burmese side closes at six am. So, we only have 30 minutes to go across the border," said a truck driver.
The officer does not allow small trucks or motorcycle taxis unless he receives 10,000 baht, the truck owner said.
The border gate has been blocked only on the Burmese side and Thai authorities keep their side open. The gate was closed for one year after the Karen Buddhist Army kidnapped two Thai policemen.
The trucks importing teak to the Thai side have to enroll in advance the day before, said the driver.
There were multiple association checkpoints at the base of the gate. Now the border is closed and the multiple checkpoints have been moved. Only the Burma Army is allowed to guard the gate.
According to an official source, the army intelligence officer did not distribute the taxes he got from the trucks to the ministry of forestation and immigration. Neither did he share 50 percent of the taxes for township development, whereas other the government public servants have to distribute the money.
