Kokko Chinatown project sparks concerns in Tak
Border towns are often labelled as remote villages without modern infrastructure or amenities.
However, recent economic policies such as the development of special economic zones and foreign investment have led to the urbanisation of these rural areas.
A clear example of this can be seen in Mae Sot district in Tak province, located opposite to the Shwe Kokko forest area in the Myawaddy region of Myanmar.
This border enclave region is controlled by a local ethnic Karen warlord, Chit Tu, who has made peace with Myanmar’s military and converted his armed units into an officially recognised Border Guard Force (BGF).
Assawin Pinitwong
