The Social and Economic Impacts on Development in the Cross-Border Areas between Thailand and Burma
I Ketut Ardhana (PSDR-LIPI Jakarta)
The western colonial rule had given some impacts on the development of certain areas, including in the mainland of Southeast Asia. The development in the cross border areas between Thailand and Burma has been difference to the other border areas like between Sarawak (Malaysia) and Kerayan East Kalimantan. This condition was much influenced by policies on border areas by the local kingdoms and the characteristics of the colonial and imperial rules in the past.
Apart from Western influences, neighbouring states have also played important role in shaping the recent development in the border areas. The long history of relation between Thailand and Burma is a case in point. In the past, Burma has been considered as a threat by Thai people, which could be identified by the large movement of people from northern region to southern region which followed by the establishment of city of Bangkok in the south. Recently, Burma remains an “enemy” to the Thai people, especially in the border areas.
The everlasting conflicts between Thailand and Burma are dominantly caused by the economic development gaps between the two states, especially in the northern border areas. Whilst, Thai government gives a priority to the development of the Northern Region as a part of fast economic growth in the Mainland Southeast Asia, Burma government does not concern on the border areas. This rapid growth has gone side by side with the emergence of illegal trade, prostitution, and other criminal matters. This paper will address several issues: the early economic development of the regions; the social and economic gaps among the local people and its influences; Thai and Burma governments’ strategy to establish peaceful situation in the Northern Region between Thailand and Burma.
