Bkk Post - Junta's distrust keeps b

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Subject: Bkk Post - Junta's distrust keeps border on edge

Bangkok Post - Oct 25, 1999.
THAI-BURMESE RELATIONS

Junta's distrust keeps border on edge
Volatile past marked by repeated closures

Cheewin Sattha, Mae Hong Son

The border closure by Rangoon prompted by the occupation of its embassy in
Bangkok is not the first to disrupt Thai-Burmese relations.

Ties between the two countries, particularly at the local level, have always
been on tenterhooks.

The situation in Mae Hong Son, for example, which shares a 483km-long border
with Burma, reflects Rangoon's distrust and weakening Thai-Burmese ties.

Over the past five years, efforts by local Thai authorities to arrange a
meeting of a joint local committee between Thailand and Burma have been
fruitless. Officials' requests have been constantly turned down by the
Burmese soldiers.

The lack of trust apparently stems from suspicions regarding Thailand's
handling of ethnic minority groups and refugees fleeing fighting in Burma.

Rangoon has demonstrated its paranoia from time to time by alleging that
Thailand supports and assists these ethnic groups in standing up against its
government.

These allegations have always been denied by the Thai military and
government, which have also adopted different approaches to improve the sour
relations but apparently to no avail.

It is possible the treatment of ethnic minority groups by some local
authorities is viewed by Burma as being too generous.

It has been reported that local officials accompanied the leader of
anti-Rangoon Shan State Army to a series of meetings in Mae Hong Son, Tak
and Chiang Mai.

Such lack of trust has also led to a spate of military actions deemed a
threat to Thailand's security and sovereignty. These included mobilisation
of Burmese troops along the border opposite the districts of Pang Ma Pha,
Muang, Khunyuam and Mae Sariang.

Officials here said they had no choice but to send in troops to secure the
border at the expense of taxpayers.

While the military men claimed the presence of troops was part of a routine
mission to ensure the safety of those living along the border, Burma has
always been able to call the shots in those border areas.

Border provinces are also home to refugees fleeing fighting in Burma. In Mae
Hong Son alone there are more than 35,000 refugees, some of whom appear to
be targets of foreign troops. As a result, Thai lives and property are on
the line.

In late 1994, Democratic Karen Buddhist Army troops burnt down Mae La Ma
Luang refugee camp with alleged support from the Burmese government. The
remnants of Mong Tai Army (MTA) who fled across the border occasionally
ransacked the border villages and robbed villagers of food and other
valuables when forced by drought or starvation.

In late 1996, a group from the Karenni National Patriotic Army attacked a
refugee camp in Ban Pang Kwai in Muang district. Two refugees were killed
and one wounded.

Although these refugees are under care of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees, Thailand must shoulder medical expenses of at
least 25 million baht yearly.

Moreover, Thai people have been exposed to health risks and diseases such as
malaria, elephantiasis and dengue fever carried by these refugees.

The recent attack on Nam Piang Din police station was also said to be the
work of Burmese soldiers. The then governor, Samrueng Punyopakorn, pointed
the finger at the Burmese military.

A conflict between local Thai and Burmese authorities over illegal logging
activities was believed to have culminated in the attack on the police
station.

Drug trafficking and territorial disputes have also strained Thai-Burmese
relations and made border areas a danger zone.

It is believed more than 5,000 landmines have been laid along the border by
both Burmese troops and ethnic minorities.

So far, only 300 of these mines have been destroyed.