|
Monday, January 24 7:45 PM SGT
Thailand offers to help God's Army comradesBANGKOK, Jan 24 (AFP) -Thailand will open its borders to allow wounded Karens to be treated here if rebel Myanmar gunmen free up to 700 hostages unharmed from a Thai hospital, a top army official said Monday. "Thailand will open its border for the sick people to come for treatment in exchange for all the hostages being released safe," said Thai Army commander General Surayudh Chulanont. Among a list of demands issued by the gunmen of the ethnic Karen God's Army was for doctors to be sent to aid wounded Karens who have been under heavy bombardment from the Myanmar military. Surayudh was speaking after nearly two hours of emergency talks on the hostage crisis in Ratchaburi, west of Bangkok, where up to 700 hostages have been held for 12 hours. |