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Border troops dig in
South China Morning Post
Thursday October 2 1997
Border troops dig in
UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL in Bangkok
Burmese troops were reported yesterday to have built two watchtowers and to be
digging bunkers on a disputed island along the ill-defined border between
Burma and Thailand.
The island, in the Moei River that divides northern Thailand from Burma, has
been the subject of a long-running dispute between the two neighbours.
Major Chirawat Wongpiyanarong, secretary to the local Thai border committee,
was quoted by the Bangkok Post as saying the construction of the
fortifications by the Burmese Army violated a bilateral agreement to withdraw
troops from the disputed island.
The island covers 32 hectares and during negotiations with the Burmese, Thai
officials suggested the border be demarcated with the use of aerial
photographs, but the Burmese did not reply.
About 20 Thai families who settled near the disputed area are reported to have
fled because they feared being shot by the newly arrived Burmese troops.
During last week's parliamentary censure debate against Thai Prime Minister
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, members of the opposition accused the premier of
agreeing to cede the land to Burma in return for the opening of a so-called
Friendship Bridge.