Burmese skyjacker to be handed over

[ausgeo@xxxxxxx]

Subject: Burmese skyjacker to be handed over to SLORC

August 15, 1997

BANGKOK POST

Burmese skyjacker to be handed over to SLORC

A Burmese skyjacker who was arrested and detained in Thailand several years 
ago is expected to be handed over to Slorc this month, according to a military 
source.

In exchange some 100 Thai prisoners, mostly fishermen, will be returned, the 
source said.

The handover of 28-year-old Ye Thi Ha, also known as San Naign, will occur 
sometime after today's opening of the friendship bridge linking Mae Sot and 
Myawaddy.

Ye Thi Ha, along with another Burman, Ye Yint, were first arrested in Thailand 
on October 18, 1989.

They had hijacked a Fokker-28, which was on a domestic flight between Mergui 
and Rangoon, to U- tapao.

They were released two years later. It was found that they had used washing 
powder to threaten passengers, claiming it was explosive.

During the court case, the two were allowed to live at the home of Gen 
Thienchai Sirisamphan.

Ye Yint later got a scholarship to further his education in the United States, 
where he has settled.

Ye Thi Ha was rearrested in 1993 in possession of arms and ammunition.

His prison term expires this month and Slorc has asked the Thai government for 
his repatriation.

Representatives of Burmese students in Thailand are to appeal to the 
government for his release.

They have also written to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.