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BKK Post (3-10-99) No.6
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<font face="Times New Roman, Times" size=6><b>Burma junta shuts border in
response<br>
</font></b><font size=5><i>Thai forces put on precautionary alert<br>
</i><b>B</font></b><font size=3>urma yesterday closed its entire border
with Thailand and stepped up security along the frontier in the aftermath
of the seizure of its embassy in Bangkok by Burmese dissident
students.<br>
Lt-Col Tin Ngwe, chairman of Burma's Local Thai-Burmese border committee,
told his Thai counterpart in Mae Sot district, Tak province, yesterday
that the closure of the border between Mae Sot and the Burmese township
of Myawaddy was ordered by the military in Rangoon for safety
reasons.<br>
At 6.30am, Burmese authorities placed barricades across the Friendship
Bridge, the main border passage between the two border towns.<br>
More troops, police and militias were also put on border patrols.<br>
Security on the Thai side was also stepped up as of Friday night as
troops and police were put on alert, said Col Chayuti Boonparn, the
commander of the 4th infantry regiment task force based in Mae Sot.<br>
Police in the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province reported Burmese
troop reinforcements and increased patrols along the Kok river by Burmese
troops.<br>
Pol Col Panurat Meepien, superintendent of Mae Sai police, said the
border between Burma's border town of Thachilek and Mae Sai was shut down
as of yesterday morning without prior notification.<br>
Chiang Rai Governor Samroeng Poonnayopakorn said he expected the closure
would be temporary and the border would be reopened soon.<br>
A military intelligence report said Rangoon had decided to postpone the
withdrawal of three battalions of troops from the border opposite Chiang
Dao and Fang districts of Chiang Mai for security reasons.<br>
In southern Ranong, opposite Burma's Kawthaung, three Burmese patrol
boats were seen deployed in Burmese waters. A ban on cross-border travel
was also being imposed.<br>
In northern Mae Hong Son province, troops and border patrol police were
on a 24-hour precautionary alert. <br>
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