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The Nation (3)
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<font face="Times New Roman, Times" size=5><b>(3)Thai-Burmese border
tense in aftermath<br>
</font></b><font size=3>SITUATION along the Thai-Burmese border appeared
tense yesterday as Burmese troops and armed rebels fighting each other in
the areas opposite Thailand's western province of Kanchanaburi reportedly
reinforced their respective forces in the wake of the hostage crisis in
Bangkok, a border security source said yesterday. <br>
Burmese troops at the 285th and 104th infantry units opposite Sai Yok
district and the 343th infantry unit opposite Sangkhla Buri district have
been reinforced to guard key strategic border areas, the source said.
<br>
Sources said that on the rebels' side, the Karen National Union (KNU) had
also mobilised its troops at the Tanao Sri pass, while the Mon rebels at
Pa Ho camp opposite Sangkhlaburi have been put on 24-hour alert. <br>
Police at Sai Yok Police Station arrested four KNU members at Bon Ti
village and seized heavy weapons, including two M-16 machine guns, six
M-79 bullets, three M-67 grenades and M-26 grenades. <br>
Police were checking how the KNU fighters had entered the area. <br>
Thai intelligence units have been instructed to launch surveillance over
four border districts in Kanchanaburi which both Rangoon troops and armed
ethnic groups use as transit points. <br>
Meanwhile, the closure of the Thai-Burmese border following the release
of the five hostage-takers has been meet with complaints from traders who
say the closure is costing more than Bt50 million a day in lost revenue.
<br>
The five dissidents were flown from Bangkok by helicopter and set free
about two kilometres short of the Burmese border in Ratchaburi province.
<br>
Suchart Triratanawattana, vice president of Tak Chamber of Commerce, said
the closure had left Burma-bound Thai consumer goods locked at the Mae
Sot customs checkpoint. <br>
Suchart estimated that between Bt300 million and Bt400 million worth of
goods to be transported into Burma via the Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge
and 11 other entry points are locked up at the checkpoint. <br>
He said the closure of the border was costing traders at least Bt10
million a day. <br>
An indefinite closure would not only cause loss of the revenue, but would
lead to food shortages in Burma, he said. <br>
He urged the government and the Thai-Burmese border coordinating
committees at both local and regional levels to resolve the situation.
The closure was also affecting tourism, he said. <br>
Burmese authorities at Ranong-Victoria Point checkpoint yesterday allowed
five Thai fishing trawlers to leave Burma and return home, but prevented
both Thais and Burmese from using the normally busy border-crossing.
<br>
The five trawlers had been at the customs checkpoint in Victoria Point.
<br>
Merchants put daily losses of cross-border trade at the thriving
Ranong-Victoria Point crossing at about Bt50 million a day. <br>
About 50 Burmese, including women and children, who crossed to Ranong to
buy food before the border closure are believed to still be in Ranong.
<br>
Three Burmese naval boats are on 24-hour patrol in the area. <br>
Trading at the Mae Sai-Tha Chilek checkpoint in Chiang Rai province and
other two small crossing points in Mae Sarieng district were also
reported held up. <br>
Several trucks loaded with Burma-bound goods were forced to park at the
Burmese border checkpoint. <br>
The Nation</font>
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