Myanmar ambulances entering Mae Sai must have permits, Thailand tightens

Mekong, July 22 In Mae Sai, Thailand, across from Tachileik, entry for ambulances from Myanmar has been tightened, requiring them to have Myanmar permits for patient transport between Tachileik and Mae Sai, following the seizure of approximately 50 vehicles from the Myanmar side. This information was obtained from humanitarian organizations based in Tachileik. On July 20, Thai authorities, in collaboration with the Mae Sai Police, Immigration Bureau, and the Chiang Rai Provincial Labor Search Office, launched "Operation Protect Mae Sai." After seizing 50 Myanmar-registered vehicles and fining each 5,000 baht, restrictions were also imposed on ambulances. A local resident said, "One organization had to hire a red line bus to transfer the patient at the bridgehead." Previously, patients could be directly transported to Mae Sai's Seepoolin Hospital, or patients destined for Chiang Rai could be transferred directly by coordinating with humanitarian organizations in Mae Sai. Now, to transport a patient, documents are required. For ambulances, the owner's registration, vehicle registration, registered owner's ID, and driver's license must be presented. For patients, a patient registration, medical certificate, or hospital recommendation letter must be included, according to humanitarian organizations. Another official from a humanitarian organization explained, "It's been about a week since they started saying that only vehicles with permits can enter Mae Sai. Just having a humanitarian organization's registration is not enough. A Myanmar vehicle permit is required. Without a permit, they have to transfer across the bridge." Regarding the situation in Mae Sai, a coordination meeting was held yesterday, July 21, in the afternoon, with Tachileik district officials to ensure that Myanmar citizens do not suffer any disadvantages. A local resident said, "We don't know exactly how they will proceed. Will they retaliate like the Myanmar side did, or will they organize taxis to negotiate with the Thai side for acceptance, or how will they negotiate with the Thai side? " Currently, at the Mae Sai border crossing in Thailand, Myanmar taxi drivers are being inspected and fined, and the movement of ambulances is also becoming difficult.