In accordance with the Burma Army's directive, foreign tourists have been banned from visiting Mongla, under the control of National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), 3 days after passage of goods were banned at Taping checkpoint, between Mongla and Kengtung, according to local sources.

"Now it is not only goods from Thailand but also tourists coming from Thailand have been banned," a local resident said.

Taping checkpoint on the Lwe that divides Mongla, under the control of National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) and Burma Army controlled Kengtung, was ordered closed for trade by the Burma Army's Triangle Region Command (TRC) since 23 November. The directive to close Mongla for tourism came on 26 November.

Regarding the closure, Colonel Khin Maung Htwe, Military Affairs Security (MAS) chief in Kengtung, was quoted as saying that the order to close Taping checkpoint on the Lwe came from the top as Chinese goods coming through Mongla side were considered illegal since the junta's immigration and customs officials were no longer in Mongla, which is located opposite China's Daluo. He however refrained from giving the reason for banning the Thai products even though they had gone through legal procedures at Tachilek.

Since then, prices of commodities especially those from Thailand have increased and have hurt the local villagers than the NDAA, said a Shan tourist who just came back from participating in the NDAA's Shan New Year celebrations held from 1-7 December.

According to him, the NDAA's revenue derives from the group-owned sugar industry that produces 1,500 ton of sugar per day, banana plantations, rubber plantations and taxes from motor road checkpoints and motor boats on the Mekong.

"Every truck and car gets checked even if the license plate is issued by Mongla," he said.

Vehicles are reported to have been classified by the serial number SR-4 (Special Region #4) SR-4- 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 are the numbers of vehicles from Mongla, SR-4- 7 from Hsalue area, SR-4- 8 from Namparn and SR-4-9 are vehicles of top ranking officials.

"Only SR-4-9s are not checked," he said.

Moreover, the group also generates income from coal mining located at Kengkhang between Mongla and Nampan, and transported to China every day. It is a joint venture with a Chinese company.

"There are about 300 six-wheel trucks carrying the products to China each day," he explained.

The NDAA officially known as Shan State Special Region #4, has 3 brigades: Central, 369th (mostly Shan) and 911st (mostly Akha). Estimated strength is 4,500. It has been at loggerheads with the Burma Army over the Border Guard Forces (BGFs) program since April 2009.

The group, together with its allies, United Wa State Army, Kachin Independence Army and Shan State Army (SSA) North, have refused either to become a BGF or disarm itself as long as its self rule call is ignored by the junta.