BKK POST ,February 7, 1998.THAI-BUR

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

February 7, 1998.THAI-BURMESE TIES

              Burma frees Thai
              prisoner following
              talks with Chettha

              Rangoon has freed a Thai prisoner and sent him home following
              talks between Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Chettha
              Thanajaro and First Secretary of the State Peace and
              Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

              The move came after Gen Chettha requested Lt-Gen Khin
              Nyunt push for the release of Karin Thongpatchachote, a
              crewman imprisoned in Burma's notorious Insein prison for
              alleged involvement in the thefts of three Burmese fishing boats.

              Yesterday Mr Karin, who had been in the Burmese jail for 15
              months, met the army commander-in-chief at the First Army
              Headquarters to express his gratitude for Gen Chettha's
              assistance.

              Mr Karin said Gen Chettha had negotiated with Lt-Gen Khin
              Nyunt for exemption of criminal penalties and a decrease in a
              fine he must pay Rangoon.

              Mr Karin was the only Thai prisoner remaining in Insein prison
              after the Burmese government released 98 Thai prisoners from
              that jail last November because he could not afford to pay a
              US$1 million fine.