In the Thai-Myanmar border town of Three Pagodas Pass, local sources report that armed groups in the area are issuing permits to Chinese nationals, allowing them to carry weapons.
To obtain a permit, each Chinese national reportedly pays 300,000 kyats to these armed groups, in addition to separate fees for security monitoring.
“A Chinese national must pay 300,000 kyats to the armed groups to get a permit. There are hundreds of Chinese nationals in Three Pagodas Pass. Imagine how much they are collecting. With this permit, they are allowed to carry weapons and do almost anything they want. This arrangement mainly applies to individuals. If someone wants to open shops or companies, they must pay even more,” a local source told IMNA.
The permits are reportedly issued by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), which, according to the same source, shares the collected fees with other armed groups.
These permits are not limited to Chinese nationals. Other residents of the town have also obtained permission to carry weapons, resulting in frequent shootings in the area, locals say.
“Three Pagodas Pass is jointly governed by the DKBA and the KNU (Karen National Union), but the town itself is under DKBA’s control. Right now, all Chinese nationals can carry weapons with DKBA’s permission. Moreover, DKBA troops provide security wherever they go. Other individuals have also applied for permits and are allowed to carry arms. That’s why shootings happen so frequently in this town,” a local resident said.
The rising number of armed individuals in Three Pagodas Pass has led to rampant shootings and threats, prompting DKBA to issue a specific order on October 24 prohibiting 12 activities, including carrying weapons or ammunition in the town.
Despite the ban, the town remains lawless, with various armed groups moving freely. As the prevalence of firearms increases, so too does the rate of crimes, including theft, robbery, and murder, according to residents.
