Myanmar nationals can now visit Thailand using upgraded security passes via Kawthoung, according to Department of Immigration.

The department issued the border passes starting from December 8 for travellers who want to visit Ranong in Thailand. The border pass system is connected with a server in Nay Pyi Taw and the authorities know about people included in the blacklist simultaneously.

“We wasted time to copy national registration card and stamp office seal previously. In the mean time, there are dishonest people and they replace someone else sometimes. If the one they replaced is a person included in the blacklist, it will be danger for the state. If we use this technology, we cannot worry about the security. It will give advantage as we can check from Nay Pyi Taw and here also. The system is start introduced in Muse, Myawady and Techilek. The technicians will go to Myeik, Mawtaung and Htikhi gate in Dawei. The rest will not be changed and only the system will change,” said Ko Ko, Assistant Director and Supervisor of the border area from Department of Immigration.

Travellers holding temporary border passes are allowed six nights and seven days a trip and border pass holders are allowed 13 nights and 14 days to stay.

“Previously, locals from Kawthoung have to give guarantee. If they [the guests] didn’t return, they have to solve it out.  Now they can show their cards and they can pass the border. Only locals from Kawthoung district can allow to issue border passes and people from other districts can have temporary border passes,” said a local from Kawthoung.

The border pass holders can only visit Thailand and they are not intended for people who want to work in Thailand.