Junta’s limitation on motorcycle movement in Thaton creates problem for drivers

October 11, 2023

HURFOM: On October 3, 2023, a retired captain from Kyar Pan village, Durian Sake village track, Thaton Township, Mon State was shot and killed.

On October 6, the junta’s Thaton Township Administration Council issued a local order banning two men from riding the same motorcycle.

The order states that two men can not ride the same motorcycle and if a man and woman are both riding a motorcycle, the man can not ride in the rear seat of the motorcycle.

“After announcing the order by the loudspeaker, the soldiers are blocking the entrance and exit of the town and checking people. They’ve also tightened security in the town,” said a Thaton resident.

If someone breaches the restriction, he/she will face one-month imprisonment without hard labor or 20,000 MMK fine or both.

“It’s really difficult for us. As we’re allowed to bring only a woman on the rear seat. Even if we bring women at the rear, the passenger has to wear a raincoat in the rainy season and soldiers may mistake the person on the rear as a man and can shoot us,” said a motorcycle driver.

Since February 2021, the military junta has issued local orders limiting motorcycle movement in five out of ten Townships in Mon State, in Kyike Hto, Bilin, Thaton, Paung and Ye Townships.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News