Burma News International

Date: January 22, 2005

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(1) Two military regimes' troops fighting Karenni area (In Burmese)*

(2) villagers forced to fence police camp in Chin state (In Burmese)*

(3) Thai-Burma Relations Burma opens wider door for gamblers

(4) Burmese Military authorities launch anti-insurgency campaigns in Chin State

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*For Burmese Language Stories please visit www.bnionline.net

Thai-Burma Relations Burma opens wider door for gamblers

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Reporter: Hawkeye

S.H.A.N

January 21, 2005

Hurt by China's closure of its borders to its lavish gamblers, Burmese

authorities have given a green light to Thai casino owners in Tachilek

to expand their establishments, according to sources in Chiangrai.

"It means there will be sub-contractors who will be running their own

operations by paying the big dealers who are already firmly established

in Burma, such as the Regina in downtown Tachilek and the Paradise

Resort in Monghpong at the Golden Triangle," said a professional card

artist in Maesai, Tachilek's Thai twin city in Chiangrai province.

"Normally Thais coming to Burma pay 10 baht (now 100 kyats or US10 cents

since the new border trade unit took over earlier this month) for entry,

but for gambling visitors, it is 200 baht ($5). Rooms in Regina that

ordinarily cost 5,000-10,000 baht per night are free for them throughout

their stay."

 Due to Chinese restrictions on their blacklisted gamblers, all gambling

establishments along the Burma border from north to south -- Laiza and

Mai Jayan in Kachin State, and Muse, Laokai (Laukkai), Panghsang and

Mongla in Shan State -- are all suffering from reduced income, according

to a Chinese-born Shan businessman in Dehong prefecture, opposite

northern Shan State.

Beijing's closure has not been selective either. "Its borders with Laos,

Vietnam and North Korea are also saying no to all of its gamblers," he

said. "The reason is the number of crimes and official misappropriations

of public funds have been on the rise and the government wants to put a

stop to them."

 The Regina is owned by Kiatichai Chaichaowarat, a former member of

Thailand's parliament from Udon Thani, and the Golden Triangle Paradise

Resort is owned by the Phosuthon brothers and Somsak Thepsuthin, a

minister in the present Thai government.

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Burmese Military authorities launch anti-insurgency campaigns in Chin State

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Khonumthung News Group

Aizawl 21/ 01/ 05

 Burma Military begins anti-insurgency campaign in Thang Tlang Township

in Chin state.

To terminate insurgency groups moving around the Indo-Burma border area,

villagers around Thang Tlang township have been engaging in militia

training since 10 a.m. on Jan. 6, according to an order issued by Light

Infantry Battalion No.268 commander Lieutenant Colonel Win Bo, said a

Tlang pi villager who participated in training,  requesting anonymity.

 "We paid a salute to the National flag and were commanded to shout

anti-insurgency slogans and be solemn," the villager explaied. "They

also reminded us to stay united after the training and told us we would

be provided weapons if the security of villagers is threatened by the

insurgency groups."

There were 46 trainees from Tlang lo village, 160 from Tlangpi, 60 from

Farawn, 50 from Tah Tlang and 50 from Zang Tlang involved in the militia

training.

At the same time, the battalion commander instructed Village Peace and

Development Council (VPDCs) chairmen from  the villages to erect

signboards bearing banners such as "Those who support CNA (Chin National

Army) and  CIA

(Chin Integrated Army) are the common enemy," "CNA, CIA are destroyers

of local development and security," and "No need for CNA and CIA" at

every village entrance and exit gate, and in front of each house

representing a housing group. The assignment was to be finished in five

days, said a VPDC member from one of  the villages being trained.

The signboards to be erected at the entrance and exit gate of all

villages participating in training were 4 x 3 square feet and the one to

be put in front of each house representing a group of houses was 2 x 1

square feet.

Residents from nearby villages of newly promoted Rih township were

given militia training by Burmese soldiers led by Captain Lian Thawng

from  LIB No. 268 station at Falam township.

Burma soldiers allegedly started to increase militia training

operations along the Indo-Burma Border after clashes broke out between

the Assam Rifles and CIA at Vaphai village in Mizoram State, India.

Prior to the Vaphai incidents, the CIA had raided the police station

based in Tibual  village in Falam Township, Burma.

***End***

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Khonumthung News Group, Narinjara News, Kaladan Press Network,

Independent Mon News Agency, Karenni Information

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