Thai-Lao bridge opening sparks crime fears

ONNUCHA HUTASINGH

Mukdahan _ Local authorities have expressed concern over the possibility of an increase in illegal activities following the opening of the new Thai-Lao bridge across the Mekong river. The government hopes that the bridge, set to open tomorrow, will help boost the economy in the region.

However, police officers and businessmen have begun to look into the side-effects from the bridge that links Mukdahan's Muang district and Savannakhet province in southern Laos.

The 2.7-kilometre bridge is part of an ambitious plan to build an overland link from Burma, Thailand, Laos, to the coastal city of Danang in central Vietnam. The governments of the countries involved also hope it will facilitate international business and investments.

But many fear there will be an increase in crime, drug trafficking and illegal immigration in the area.

The bridge is a double-edged sword as it could open a new route for drug traffickers and illegal migrants from Laos and Vietnam, said Mukdahan checkpoint inspector Pol Lt-Col Nitirat Bamroongsuk.

''The bridge will see more gangsters travelling by road,'' she said.

It could prompt drug gangs to change their mode of drug transport from water to road. They could easily smuggle drugs in their cars, into Thailand, she added.

Mukdahan is notorious for drug trafficking from Laos. Smuggling, which also includes other illegal materials such as processed wood, is usually done via water-borne transport because the province has a long water front, totalling 72 km, facing the Mekong river _ the natural border between Thailand and Laos.

Illegal labourers could also easily come into Thailand by posing as tourists, Pol Lt-Col Nitirat said.

Police have just deported a group of 10 Vietnamese illegal workers who turned up with tourist visas. They worked illegally in a factory in Pathum Thani before they were arrested and deported, she said.

More importantly, a plan to build a casino in Savannakhet, less than 2 km from the bridge, could also lead to a new worry as the gambling business could be a source of crime. The casino is scheduled to open in the next 18 months.

''It would affect national security, aggravate drug problems, and raise concerns over the the safety of people's lives and assets,'' said Mukdahan Chamber of Commerce secretary-general Apichart Srisawas.

Although some people anticipate unpleasant changes, provincial officials are looking on the bright side and expect the bridge to bring more jobs.

Some villagers dismissed the possibility of any kind of gain from the bridge opening.

''The bridge hasn't give any new opportunities to the villagers. Instead, its construction made my house full of dust,'' said Ban Song Pier village head Orapan Kampan.

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