TRAFFICKING FEARS RAISED BY WA ROAD

The Red Wa's road construction project along the northern Thai-Burmese
border will pose a security threat to Thailand since it will
facilitate drug trafficking and Burmese military deployments, the
Third Army chief said yesterday.

Lt-Gen Watanachai Chaimuenwong also slammed Thai contractors hired to
build the 150km road, saying they were willling to receive dirty money
from the illicit drug trade without any concern for their motherland.

Thai security troops would have to work harder and adjust plans to
deal with drug smuggling and other border problems, he added.

The general also urged the Foreign Ministry to raise the matter for
talks with Beijing, which has been giving support to Burma.

A source said the Wa's 90-million-baht road project was meant to
facilitate transport of goods to their Mong Yawn town, which has been
made difficult since last year by Thailand's closure of the San Ton Du
checkpoint in Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai.

Several northern border areas, now being held either by the Red Wa,
Burmese government troops or the Shan State Army, have become major
sources and smuggling routes of methamphetamines, especially those
destined for Thailand.