Bkk Post - Army closes three passes

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Subject: Bkk Post - Army closes three passes after attack

THAI-BURMESE BORDER


Bangkok Post - Aug 30, 1999.
Army closes three passes after attack
Retaliation against Karen raid on village

Supamart Kasem
Mae Sot, Tak
Thailand yesterday closed three temporary border passes in Mae Sot district
in retaliation for an attack by Democratic Karen Buddhist Army soldiers on a
Thai border village on Saturday morning.

The closure order was signed by Col Chayuti Boonparn, commander of the
Fourth Infantry Regiment Task Force. The three checkpoints are at Ban Rai
Don Chai, Ban Mae Kumai Tha Sung and Ban Mae Konken.

Col Chayuti, who is also chairman of the local Thai-Burmese Border
Committee, said the passes were closed for safety reasons. The passage of
boats carrying passengers and goods via the three border passes has come to
a halt.

Col Chayuti said that Lt-Col Tin Ngwe, chairman of the local TBC of
Myawaddy, denied any knowledge of the attack and promised to investigate.