Looking for translator/fixer in Mae Sot, Thailand.

Have you got a fixer yet?

Just been there, done that. Well, maybe not the way you plan on doing it. This was at least my third visit there over the last ten years and not that much has changed except the Burmese no longer float picturesquely across the polluted Moie River on inflated inner tubes, but now have regular boat service. Guess that saves them lining up at Thai immigration on the bridge and appears to be legal. However, the latest item being hustled across the razor wire along the footpath on the Thai side is Viagra plus sex toys and porn DVDs, all probably of Chinese origins. Interestingly the sellers are mostly Muslims from Burma – male and female. Of course, their main clients are Thai businessmen. The chaotic border scene along with the famous nearby Metta clinic run by Dr Cynthia Maung, are long-tim staples on the PJ agenda, followed by the Burmese Prisoners Association and UNHCR, etc. Just don’t expect to get access to any of the refugee camps unless you have very good NGO contacts.
Finding a fixer shouldn’t be so difficult as there are many young Burmese around who speak excellent English. Maybe best to go via one of the Burmese NGOs many of which I imagine are now facing something of an indentity crisis with the apparent on-going liberalisation of politics in their home country. Good luck and just say no to the Viagra!

Still haven’t got a fixer. I’m not worried that im not going to find one, its rather that I wanted to check if some of you guys had any contacts that you would recommend.
The plan is to try and get access to the camps. I know it might be tricky, but got good contacts within the NGOs that has promised to help me out. Hopefully that will work out!

Thanks for the advice about saying no to the Viagra, ill try restrain myself.

Eirik, If you have trouble getting into the bigger refugee camps – some years back I was told even if I went in with an NGO contact I had the Thai guards would confiscate my camera – you might like to investigate the squatters camp on the stretch of no-mans-land on the Thai side of the river just north of the bridge but behind the razor wire. It’s been there in one form or another for years and seems to be occupied by the Viagra boys and other Burmese traders and their families. However, also seems there’s quite a few sick people in there maybe waiting for treatment at Cynthia Maung’s clinic.
The camp site is visible from the walkway but the whole area is overgrown. Probably gets flooded in the rainy season. I went in there once when it was less overgrown, but I’d hesitate now unless I had a Burmese translator with me. It’s an unhealthy neighbourhood. No sanitation. The Thai border guards probably wouldn’t be too happy about you being there either. I had no problem back then, but there was no razor wire or armed guards around then.
Of course, somewhat similar scenes can be found elsewhere along the Thai/Burma border. Mai Sai in the north is another shadow land of cross-river smuggling with the Thai police turning a blind eye and getting a pay off. I did a photo story on the area I called ‘Peripheral Vision,’ but never promoted it enough I guess. Good luck.

Thanks for the pointers Nigel, I will for sure check out some of the things that you mention. I have already been to dr. Cythias Clinic. Interesting place. Regarding the bigger refugee camps, I’m getting “smuggled” in illegally through some holes in the fence tomorrow. Met with a contact yesterday. Hes gonna help me out. Already got a fixer inside the camp. I’ll keep you posted on how this actually will work out! A bit sketchy, but thats part of the charm! From what I have been told there is no military inside the camps, they are just garding the enterance. At least i hope so, he-he.