For many years, damaged roads between Keng Tung, eastern Shan State and Taunggyi, capital Shan State, are being neglected by the junta in terms of repair. Trucks bound for Keng Tung-Taunggyi, are taxed and made to pay millions, according to sources.

"There are many places in need of repair on the way to Taunggyi, but they [authorities] don't do attend to it. They just collect a lot of taxes for carrying goods," complained a car driver in Keng Tung.

In keepingnwith with the authorities order, a truck cannot load over 20,000 vises of goods. But there is no truck that follows the order, said the source.

A ten wheel truck carrying Thai and Chinese products has to pay about Kyat 10 million (US$7874) on the way to Keng Tung to Taunggyi.

"The fees of oil and other costs are not included yet," said the source.

The taxesare:

Keng Tung's car station     - K 900,000 (US$ 709)

Tong
Ta checkpoint                            - K 280,000 (US$220)

Merng
Peing checkpoint                     - K 500,000 (US$394)

Takaw
checkpoint                              - K 1,600,000 (US$1260)

Kunghing                                 - K 800,000(US$630)

Kholum                                    - K 150,000 (US$118)

Numsang                                 - K 400,000 (US$315)

Loilem                                      -K-1,600,000 (US$1260)

Merngpawn
authorities                                 -K 70,000 (US$55)

Hopong                                     - K 50,000 (US$39)

Taunggyi
checkpoint                                 - K500,000 (US$394)

Moreover, there is yet another tax of Kyat 30,000 (US$ 24) to be paid at the Takaw-Kunghing checkpoint per year, said the source.

The distance from Keng Tung to Taunggyi 281miles (449.6kms).