A gate manned by the New Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) is being used to collect tax from boats on the Zemi River originating in Karen State. The DKBA spilt from the Karen National Union (KNU) in 1994.

An eyewitness said "our boat was taxed about 30,000 Kyat by the DKBA's gate before being allowed to enter Kyainnseikyi Town from Mudon Town, Mon State." Those manning the gate ordered the boat to stop and tax was demanded from the owner.

The owner said that he had not seen that gate even four days ago.

The owner of the boat Nai Doat said "We, owners have to pay at least 5,000 Kyat to each gate even if we are carrying nothing. We have to pay more if we carry passengers and commodities". One passenger has to pay about 500 Kyat at each gate.

One passenger is charged about 15,000 Kyat for a trip between Chaung-zone gate near Three Pagodas Pass (TPP) to Kyun-chaung gate and 18,000 Kyat from Kyun-chaung gate to Kyainnseikyi Town.

Between Chaung-zone and Kyainnseikyi there are over 15 gates including those manned by the DKBA, the Karen National Union (KNU), Burmese Army battalions, and the New Mon State Party (NMSP).

According to a Mon woman trader, the charges for businessmen are a little less than those for other passengers and they don't have to pay passenger fees if they bring large amounts of commodities. One viss of items are charged about 400 Kyat.

"We don't pay tax to the gate. We give it to the vessel owner." One vessel can carry about 28 to 32 passengers," the woman trader said.

According to Nai Doat, currently over 60 boats are operating between Chaung-zone gate to Kyainnseikyi.