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Thai Press



BANGKOK
SUMMARY OF THE THAI PRESS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1999

(NOTE:  The following is an unedited summary of selected news, columns and
editorials from the Thai press.  It should be read in conjunction with the
Bangkok English language newspapers.  Items are selected for summary based
upon their interest and usefulness to US officials.  This press summary
should not be considered a balanced reflection of what appears in the Thai
press on any given day.  This is not an official document and the
producers assume no responsibility for accuracy of translations.) I.  
MAJOR HEADLINES:

		2. 	Thai fishermen seek casino godfathers' assistance in
talking 'Burmese leaders' into reopening the Burmese Water thanks to   
their friendly relations.  - Manager (1)
		3. 	Southern fishermen stop relying on the state and
plead with gambling dens proprietors to talk Burma into returning their
fishing concessions instead.  - Matichon (1)

		4. 	Special Branch Division police seek to woo Burmese
SLORC with attempt to arrest the five wanted leading Burmese students.  -
Daily News sub-headline (1)
		5. 	Burmese soldiers rob Thai villagers and are expelled
with mortar fires from Thai troopers from the Third Army Region following   
a fierce clash.  - Siam Rath (1)
		6. 	Invading Burmese soldiers clash two times with Thai
troopers.  - Thai Rath sub-headline (1)

EDITORIALS:

		3. It is right for the Thai Government to turn down the
Burmese junta's ultimatum requiring arrest of the five Burmese students
responsible for the recent Burmese Embassy seizure in return for reopening
of the Burmese border and renewal of Burmese fishing concessions.  In
fact, the retaliatory Burmese border closure and lifting of fishing
concessions to Thai trawlers are damaging not only to Thai people
concerned but also to the Burmese people themselves.  Unlike the Thai
democratic rule, the Burmese junta may not care for its people's
suffering.  This is one difference between democratic and dictatorial
rules.  Democracy does not mean only prostitution but it means
governmental obligation to see to the plights of all people as well.  
Another difference between democracy and dictatorship is rule by law under
the former system as opposed to absolute dictatorial rule with no regard
for established laws as in the case of the arbitrary and unilateral
lifting of fishing concessions to Thai trawlers by the Burmese junta.  
After all, the Thai Government has duly issued a warrant for arrest of the
five fugitive Burmese students.  The question is whether the Burmese
Government would bother to arrest the fugitives on Burmese soils along
with the minority Wa Daeng who have been trafficking narcotic drugs into
Thailand.  - Thai Rath editorial and similar comment by Daily News
editorial
		

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