Gas pipeline section may become tou

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Gas pipeline section may become tourist attraction
Preecha Sisathan
Ban I-tong, Thong Pha Phum district Kanchanaburi
Cross-border trade and tourism are expected to flourish at this border town 
where the final section of the Thai-Burmese Yadana gas pipeline will be 
sealed on Wednesday.
Col Samphan Youngtrakul, deputy commander of the Army's Ninth Infantry, 
said that Thai and Burmese authorities have discussed a plan to open a 
border pass here to facilitate cross-border trade.
He said the construction of roads and infrastructure on the Thai side has 
largely been completed.
On the Burmese side, a road had been built along the pipeline leading to a 
town with a large community adjacent to Tavoy some 40 kilometres away. Many 
smaller communities also line the pipeline road. They would ensure 
flourishing cross-border trade, he said, although he did not say what goods 
people would trade.
New and improved roads on the Thai side make it possible for tourists to 
visit old mines, reforestation sites and a waterfall.
Col Samphan spoke to reporters after a meeting among Thai and Burmese 
energy officials to discuss the final preparation for Wednesday's ceremony 
to mark the completion of the controversial pipeline. An official 
inspection of the pipeline by a joint Thai-Burmese delegation will take 
place on Wednesday.