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The Nation (18-10 99)Three Burmese

Subject: The Nation (18-10 99)Three Burmese held with blast material

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<font face="Times New Roman, Times" size=5><b>Three Burmese held with
blast material<br>
</font></b><font size=3>THREE Burmese nationals were arrested early
yesterday in Ranong province with seven sticks of dynamite and other
explosives accessories, in the wake of the bombing of four vessels in
Burmese waters, the Ranong police chief said yesterday. <br>
Pol Maj Gen Charoen Maneewong, Ranong provincial police commander, said
that at about 3.30 am yesterday the trio were arrested by a special task
police unit in a vessel off Ranong port. The sticks of dynamite and
equipment for planting bombs were found on board. <br>
Charoen said the explosive material found was enough to destroy scores of
trawlers and other vessels anchoring at Ranong port. Associated equipment
would have allowed the suspects to plant a bomb while giving them an hour
to escape before the explosion. <br>
The three suspects were approaching Ranong port when they were arrested.
The special task police unit consisted of officials from local provincial
police, border patrol police, marine police and immigration police. 
<br>
Earlier, two oil-container ships and two commodity-transportation vessels
were reportedly bombed in Burmese waters, Charoen revealed. All four
vessels were Burmese, and damage was worth about Bt100 million. <br>
Charoen said police suspected that the owners of the four Burmese ships
may have suspected Thais of being behind the blasts, and hence may have
sent the trio to wreak revenge. <br>
Thailand's relations with the Burmese junta have soured recently after
Burma closed its borders and revoked fishing concessions granted to Thai
fishing boats following the 25-hour hostage-taking crisis at the Burmese
Embassy in Bangkok on Oct 1. <br>
Charoen added that he had asked for support from local military officials
in Ranong to investigate the motives of the three Burmese in entering
Thai waters with the explosive materials and equipment, as the military
has better resources and in-depth information on border security. <br>
The Nation<br>
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