Residents of Tachilek, the Burmese market town on Thailand’s northern border, were told Tuesday to close down shops and markets as tension rose tangibly in the area. A 10 PM to dawn curfew has been in force in the town since Saturday’s bombings in Rangoon. Foreigners were told to leave Tachilek and make for Thailand.

Rumors circulated in Tachilek on Tuesday that bombs had been found in the town, but these reports could not be confirmed. There was also talk of concern about a possible attack by the Shan State Army (South).

According to eyewitnesses, security is tight in the border town and vehicles are being thoroughly checked by police

 

In Myawaddy, the Burmese border town adjoining Mae Sot, in Thailand’s Tak province, Burmese security officials were searching people crossing the border on Tuesday.