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Reuters-Thailand seeks release of 2



Thailand seeks release of 22 held in Myanmar 
12:43 a.m. Sep 22, 1998 Eastern 

BANGKOK, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Thailand is seeking the release of 22 of its
nationals held by Myanmar soldiers for allegedly crossing into disputed
territory near the southwestern border town of Sangkra Buri, Thai border
police said on Tuesday. 



A team of border officials was sent to the area late on Monday to negotiate
the release with Myanmar officials, border police said. 



A unit of 30 Myanmar soldiers had rounded up three Thai soldiers, two
policemen and 17 workers from a rubber factory that was being dismantled in
the disputed area about 300 km from Bangkok, border police told Reuters. 



Two trucks, a motorcycle and some weapons were also confiscated. 



The Thai soldiers and police had been providing security for the workers. 



``The Myanmar soldiers said the factory was on their soil,'' the police
official said. 



Myanmar, which shares a rugged border more than 1,600 km long with
Thailand, engages in occasional territorial disputes with its neigbour due
to unclear boundaries.