Local authorities in Nakawngmu village, Pong Pa Khem Sub-Township, Mong Ton Township, Eastern Shan State, have ordered the people to dismantle their mobile antennas, citing the proposed visit of  Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein, according to a source from the Thai-Burma border.
 
Thein Sein is currently travelling and canvassing in Eastern Shan State to garner support for the proposed 2010 general elections. He used to be the Commander of Triangle Region Command and Chairman of Shan State East from 1996 to 2001.
 
A young woman from Nakawngmu said, “We were told to bring down our mobile antennas. They would allow us to use them after the Prime Minister leaves. But even then, we would have to apply for permission from the Communication Office. If we use them without permission, action will be taken against us.”
 
The order has caused considerable difficulties for the local people, especially traders, she added.
 
Despite not so clear reasons surrounding the Prime Minister’s forthcoming visit, it would be the same situation as the April 25 visit to Mong Yang, according to observers. On the other hand, people in Mong Ton, Nakawngmu and Pongpakhem have already chosen civil servants to work as polling officials, a civil servant said.
 
Some townships on the Thai-Burma border are able to use Thailand-based mobile phones, without erecting antennas, but this is not possible in Pongpakhem.