Twenty or more names of Burmese activists, including prominent pro-democracy activists Htay Kywe and Su Su Nway who are currently in hiding, are on a watch list at the Myawaddy border checkpoint opposite Mae Sot in Thailand, according to travelers who have been questioned by border officials.
Rumors have circulated that Htay Kywe, a prominent leader of the 88 Generation Student group, has left Rangoon for the Thai-Burmese border.
A merchant who regularly crosses the border from Myawaddy to Mae Sot told The Irrawaddy on Thursday that travellers whose names are similar to Htay Kywe are stopped and closely questioned. The merchant requested anonymity for security reason.
“They even stopped people whose father's names were similar to Htay Kywe,” said the merchant.
Officials also carefully check the ID cards of all travelers who live in Rangoon, he said.
A Burmese girl who came to Mae Sot looking for work, said, “They [officials] asked me, where I came from and why was I going to Mae Sot.” She said she gave extra money at some checkpoints when she was questioned.
There are 15 checkpoints along the road from Rangoon through Myawaddy to Mae Sot, and travelers reportedly are checked at every stop.
In a telephone call to The Irrawaddy on Wednesday, Su Su Nway said she had run out of her prescribed medicine for heart disease, and she was unable to seek medical care.
Meanwhile, Burmese security officials have been routinely checking the list of houseguests in the homes of well-known activists in the pro-democracy demonstrations, according to family members.
In Burma, households and hotels are required to keep a list of the names of all overnight guests.
Rumors have circulated that Htay Kywe, a prominent leader of the 88 Generation Student group, has left Rangoon for the Thai-Burmese border.
A merchant who regularly crosses the border from Myawaddy to Mae Sot told The Irrawaddy on Thursday that travellers whose names are similar to Htay Kywe are stopped and closely questioned. The merchant requested anonymity for security reason.
“They even stopped people whose father's names were similar to Htay Kywe,” said the merchant.
Officials also carefully check the ID cards of all travelers who live in Rangoon, he said.
A Burmese girl who came to Mae Sot looking for work, said, “They [officials] asked me, where I came from and why was I going to Mae Sot.” She said she gave extra money at some checkpoints when she was questioned.
There are 15 checkpoints along the road from Rangoon through Myawaddy to Mae Sot, and travelers reportedly are checked at every stop.
In a telephone call to The Irrawaddy on Wednesday, Su Su Nway said she had run out of her prescribed medicine for heart disease, and she was unable to seek medical care.
Meanwhile, Burmese security officials have been routinely checking the list of houseguests in the homes of well-known activists in the pro-democracy demonstrations, according to family members.
In Burma, households and hotels are required to keep a list of the names of all overnight guests.
