An estimated 20,000 people, mostly Burmese, in Mae Sot in northern Thailand lined up on Sunday to receive free rice from Chinese donors.
Nang Htay, a Burmese migrant who received a donation, told The Irrawaddy that she didn't have enough rice for her family. Although her husband works, she said she takes care of her baby at home and it is hard to survive.
Nang Htay said Burmese residents living in Myawaddy, opposite Mae Sot, crossed the border to receive the free rice. “Some came with all their family members,” she said.
Because of the economic crisis in Burma, Nang Htay said she saw very young children queuing up to receive rice to help their parents.
Moe Swe, the director of the Mae Sot-based Yaung Chi Oo Workers Association, said more residents of Myawaddy participated each year. An estimated 10,000 people took part in the rice distribution in Mae Sot last year.
“It highlights how the Burmese military regime raises the price of basic commodities, making the economic crisis in Burma worse," he said.
Traditionally, Chinese business people living in Mae Sot annually donate rice to the needy to make merit for the death of relatives.
During the past two weeks, many Burmese citizens have taken part in demonstrations inside the country following sharp increases in the price of fuel and basic commodity goods imposed by the military regime.
Nang Htay said Burmese residents living in Myawaddy, opposite Mae Sot, crossed the border to receive the free rice. “Some came with all their family members,” she said.
Because of the economic crisis in Burma, Nang Htay said she saw very young children queuing up to receive rice to help their parents.
Moe Swe, the director of the Mae Sot-based Yaung Chi Oo Workers Association, said more residents of Myawaddy participated each year. An estimated 10,000 people took part in the rice distribution in Mae Sot last year.
“It highlights how the Burmese military regime raises the price of basic commodities, making the economic crisis in Burma worse," he said.
Traditionally, Chinese business people living in Mae Sot annually donate rice to the needy to make merit for the death of relatives.
During the past two weeks, many Burmese citizens have taken part in demonstrations inside the country following sharp increases in the price of fuel and basic commodity goods imposed by the military regime.
