Childlife-A
future for street children in Mae Sai
Situation Mae Sai 24th. of may 2002 the border is closed
Burmese sandbag bunkers mounted with machineguns
were seen on both sides of the Tachilek-Mae Sai bridge.
Situation Mae Sai 24th. of may 2002 the border is closed
Burmese sandbag bunkers mounted with machineguns
were seen on both sides of the Tachilek-Mae Sai bridge.
The bridge/ border
between Thailand and Myanmar. Some come for cheap shopping,
others, mostly Burmese and Shan come to Mae Sai to sell their
products, to work or to beg.
opportunity to see the bridge and the
border. In Sissy I had an experienced
guide, who explained and showed me
everything as well as the children's
backgrounds and personal stories.
Apart from the scenic view across the
river to Myanmar the surrounding
circumstances of the people were very
depressing
children are carried on the backs of their siblings to cause pity and are often given drugs to keep calm in the
hot temperatures. It is not uncommon to see police escorting children to prison over night in an attempt to
regulate the situation at the bridge.
is accepted but he struggles to gain official support.
river with a scenic view across the river and the Pagoda. The meal was good and
cheap. Five meters away on the bridge children were standing, begging and looking
directly at my full plate. I lost my appetite and decided spontaneously to go to Myanmar.
Sai and that interested me very much. I was disappointed to find that the Pagoda had
been turned into an Intershop where tourists can buy cheap things. I quickly left and
headed towards a place at the river in Tachilek. I walked through the border market
under the bridge, often fighting pushy sellers, to finally arrive at the view to Mae Sai I
wanted to see. In the shadows of the bridge where children to whom I gave my last few
sweets which brought them much joy
