Thai Spy III

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THAI SPY III

Naeo Na

July 22, 94

CHUAN ORDERS FACT FINDING, MYANMAR SPY TO BE HUNTED
[NB. Chuan Leek Pai is the Prime Minister of Thailand]

Chuan has ordered a fact finding enquiry about the spy codenamed "Victor" who
is a traitor in exchange for oil and fishing benefits.  Evidence suggests
that Victor is Gen. Charoen Kullawanich's right-hand man.  The authorities
are searching for evidence and will order an arrest regardless [of
influential connections].  "Big Song" [Prason Soonsiri, Foreign Minister of
Thailand] says the information may be released to ethnic minority groups
during ASEAN, since Myanmar was invited.  Nevertheless, Myanmar's minister
was nonplussed.  Chieu [?Chavalit Yongchaiyodh, Interior Minister, nicknamed
Big Jiew] does not believe that the "Myanmar friend" is looking for illicit
and secret information.

The repot says PM Chuan is interested in the revelations and is unhappy to
learn that this person is Gen. Charoen's close associate.  The PM is waiting
to see what the NSC secretary general will do about the close associate.

Moreover, the NSC source said that the man codenamed Victor is a businessman
who has worked closely with the companies building the oil and gas pipeline
in Myanmar and is aiming for a large reward from Myanmar.

The most important thing is that this man is close to Gen. Charoen and uses
Gen. Charoen's and the NSC's name to legitimate his business activies.

Sources said that previously, the NSC and Foreign Ministry have been aware of
Victor's activities and have watched him closely but that they have no clear
evidence yet.  This businessman  is not only coordinating his interests with
Myanmar but with other countries including other neighboring countries.

Besides sending information to Col. Thein Swe, Myanmar's military attache in
Bangkok, Victor has helped the colonel in other ways.  For example, he has
set up meetings between the colonel and civilian and military officials from
Thailand.  He also sets up talks between the colonel and ethnic rebel leaders
from the border areas.

In the attacks launched by Burma's army on Khun Sa three months ago, Col.
Thein Swe sent airial photos of the Thai/Burma border to Rangoon.  Sources
believe that Victor provided those photos.  Moreover, Col. Thein Swe is
reported to be making arrangements to prchase weapons from Thailand to use in
the operation against Khun Sa.  Such an arrangement may have already been
made through Victor.

Sources in the NSC refused to comment on the businessman codenamed Victor,
saying that it is not the duty of the the NSC to check on who is a secret
agent.  That duty belongs to the Police Special Branch or the National
Intelligence Agency.  If the spy was a soldier, it would be the duty of the
Armed Forces Security Center or the Military Intelligence Agency.

A military source said he dod not think that the Royal Thai Government had
sent weapons to the Myanmar government since the operation against Khun Sa is
an internal problem.  He also said the Myanmar government had enough weapons
and ammunition to suppress Khun Sa and other ethnic rebels already.  He said
that the Third Army has sealed off the border where there is fighting between
Myanmar and Khun Sa's troops.  They are checking in border areas to prevent
Thai villagers or merchants from selling food or medical supplies to Khun Sa. 
Strict controls are also being placed on travel in and out of the villages in
these areas.  The Third Army has stated that it will not let Khun Sa use Thai
territory as shelter from the Burmese army and would not yield to a violaiton
of Thai sovereignty.

FM Prasong Soonsiri, said he did not know that Thais are servins as spies for
Myanmar.  He was NSC secretary general previously and knew what was what and
what was exagerated and if the news was true or not.  However, he said it
wasw not his place to explain these issues.

[this article has been abridged somewhat from the original and is only an
approximate translation]