Word has been going around the chat groups this week about a notice coming out of the Asia-Pacific side, saying the military has given the green light to start bringing in new recruits again. But the rules have changed, and the price tag is spelled out clearly. For Chinese or other foreign nationals, just the military head fee alone is 300,000 Thai baht, and that does not include checkpoint bribes along the way or transport costs. Locals from Myanmar are a bit cheaper, but still run 155,000 baht, not including checkpoint fees either.
The authorities there issued a stern warning against trying to sneak across through back trails or cutting corners. Anyone caught by military patrols faces a two-million-baht fine per person, the managers get locked up straight away, and the company name goes straight onto the blacklist. With cars driving back and forth on the streets, everyone knows security is tight right now, and the risks are shooting up right along with the costs.
The political winds around here keep shifting, and the people making a living inside the compounds are always on edge. Back in the day, people were easy to bring in, but now, just clearing this latest hurdle brings a crushing financial weight. A few old-timers sitting at the teahouse just shook their heads. These days, whether you are trying to bring people in or hold onto the ones you have, things are getting harder and harder to pull off.
