Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > West and South Asia
West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 Nov 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 208
Bike smuggling across the China Burma border

I came across this article on China Car forums:

Every day hundreds of illegal Chinese motorcycles are smuggled across Burma’s northern ShanState border with China’s YunnanProvince, according to border sources.

“Hundreds of motorcycles pass by on the road in front of my house every day,” said an elder resident of Namhputka, a small town near the Chinese border. “This is not the only route—other smugglers use other ways outside of Namhputka.”

Chinese motorbikes are bought in Ruili, a southern
Yunnan border town, at prices between 400,000 to 600,000 kyat (US $320 to $480) depending on the type of motorcycle. They are then illegally driven into Burma and resold with an add-on price of 50,000 to 100,000 kyat ($40 to $80) each, depending on how far a motorcycle is driven into the country.

Motorcycles are also illegally transported by boat on the
ShweliRiver near the Burmese border town of Muse, opposite Ruili, according to sources.

Many smugglers bypass checkpoints at night and then bribe their way down the Muse-Lashio-Mandalay road.

Motorcycles from
China are replacing the once-popular Japanese brands, such as Honda and Yamaha, not only in upper Burma but also in central Burma, especially in cities such as Mandalay.

Price is a major factor—an illegal Chinese Luojia or Kenbo motorcycle sells for between 580,000 to 600,000 kyat (about $470), whereas a legally imported, licensed motorcycle of the same model sells for more than 1million kyat ($800). A Suzuki motorcycle assembled at the Japanese company’s plant in
Mandalay goes for between 1 million to 3 million kyat.

The motorcycle smuggling business is also a lucrative source of income for corrupt government officials at highway checkpoints who demand bribes from smugglers.

Numerous checkpoints lie between Muse and
Mandalay. Besides the government, ethnic paramilitary militia groups in northern Shan State and ceasefire groups also demand "transit fees" when smugglers enter and leave their controlled areas.

“In
China, we can buy a Luojia for 500,000 kyat ($400)," said Brang Awng, a Kachin motorcycle smuggler who travels to Lashio and Mandalay to sell cycles.

"We can resell it in Lashio for about 550,000 kyat ($440) and in
Mandalay for about 580,000 kyat ($470). But, overall we have to bribe authorities along the way—everything depends on the situation.”

Motorcycle smuggling began about a decade ago. Now, even high school students become involved in the business to earn school fees. Smugglers earn a quick profit, but they face the threat of robbery by gangs and ambushes by armed troops, said Brang Awng, who makes smuggling runs about twice a week.

Sometimes police shoot at smugglers. “One day we tried to bypass a checkpoint, but when we reappeared on the road the police followed us and just before they lost us, they shot at us.”

At least ten smugglers have died in shooting incidents over the past few years, sources say.

“Everyone knows smuggling is very dangerous, but most people do it because they have no other choice to earn a living,” said a Muse-based elder resident whose two sons are involved in smuggling.

“If you work with a hoe on a farm, you earn 2,000 kyat ($1.50) a day. But in this business, it is like you risk your life and get 5,000 kyat ($4).

"Life is not important here,” he said.

Quick profits are also a lure into other areas of criminal activity. Many motorcycle smugglers double-up and also carry illegal goods for traders while driving the illegal bikes.

“In order to earn more profit, we serve as carriers for businessmen," said the Muse resident. "Sometimes we don’t know what we are carrying. Sometimes it's very heavy, but the owners of the goods do not let us open the pack.”

__________________

Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Current Situation for travel through Burma and into China? Rockwell Route Planning 3 26 Jan 2010 06:18
From canada -Alaska-russia-china-burma? tibet? - india-nepal amoleji Route Planning 2 6 Apr 2006 12:37
kamchatka (russia) china : my experience ... + i need burma Norbert Berentz West and South Asia 5 10 Feb 2005 19:46
Border India - Burma davorsh West and South Asia 0 2 Sep 2004 18:01
Singapure-Malasia-Thailand-Laos-Vietnam-Burma-India-China-Ru Jurgen Travellers Seeking Travellers 7 29 Mar 2002 20:29

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:31.