Government to enforce motorbike registrations

Residents in Burma’s Tenasserim Division claim government authorities have begun registering thousands of illegally imported motorbikes from Thailand.

Saw David, a resident from Dawei Town spoke to Karen News.

“The Land Transportation Department office in Dawei announced it began registering illegal or unregistered motorbikes in Tenasserim Division, from Tuesday, June 5. The registry in Dawei Town expects it will take four months as thousands of motorbikes are without registration or licenses.”

Saw David claims motorbikes in Burma are nearly all illegal.

“Almost all motorbikes here are illegally important from Thailand, some are bought from motorbike thieves and are not licensed or registered – people still use motor bikes without registration with
the local authorities and police understanding.”

The government announcement said, “motorbikes have to be registered for the 2012-2013 fiscal year including those illegally imported from Thailand.”

The Honda Wave is the most popular motorbike driven in Burma. The registration price for an older model Honda Wave 110 (made in 1998-2000) will be 47,600kyat (US$56.57) and the newer Honda Wave 125 (made in 2011) will cost 148,050kyat (US$175.94) – more than three times higher.

Saw David, said.

“I expect that after this registration period if any motorbike owner fails to comply motorbikes will be confiscated by the authorities. The authorities will generate a huge amount of cash from the
registrations.”