"Myanmar has completely shut a major border checkpoint with Thailand amid a dispute over construction of a river dyke, Thai officials said on Tuesday. Myanmar had already prevented vehicles using the Friendship Bridge linking the town of Mae Sot in northwest Thailand with Myawaddy in eastern Myanmar, and since the weekend has also stopped people crossing on foot.

"Myanmar has completely sealed off the checkpoint since Sunday," Mae Sot district chief Kittisak Tomornsak told AFP by telephone. "Now we have stopped building the dyke." The closure has affected traders using the bridge, although many Myanmar migrants cross the porous border illegally. Myanmar is believed to be unhappy with the construction of embankments on the Thai side of the Moei River because they can cause erosion on its side.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had planned a visit to Myanmar in early August but the trip has been postponed, government spokesman Panitan Watanayagorn said, adding that the delay was not connected to the border issue. "It's possible that the visit might be delayed beyond August because Myanmar has not yet set the exact date," he said, adding that Thailand had complied with international standards in the construction of the artificial riverbank."

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20100720/tap-...cy-c8d5519.html

A very interesting post and sooo many hits, better than old grandads post about cats piss and bull shit.

Well this cat is grateful for Dolly's post. My boyfriend and I had planned on crossing the border for a quick look-see around the Burmese market when we visit Tak next week.

Did you guys know that the crossing to Burma at the Mai Sai border is open to travel into the shaen state( max two weeks)
This is new, till a few weeks ago you were only allowed to visit the market on the other side of the bridge.
This is the only overland entrance out of Thailand which allows you to go into Burma for such a long-time.