Thai-Burma border tension eased

[ausgeo@xxxxxxx]

Friday May 30

Thai-Burma border tension eased

BANGKOK, May 30 (UPI) _ Thai and Burmese troops have withdrawn from a disputed 
island along the two countries' common border in a bid to reduce tensions over 
a long-running disagreement on the location of the borderline. 

Thai military officers say tensions intensified last weekend when Burmese 
troops were dispatched to protect a dredging crew on the small island on the 
Moei River, which forms a natural boundary between Thailand and Burma. 

The island, named Khok Chang Puek by Thais in the area, was formed after a 
flood two years ago changed the course of the Moei River. 

The river has been the official borderline in the area since 1868 under the 
terms a treaty signed by the British colonial government in Burma and the 
royal government of Siam. 

Although Burma still claims the land as its territory, Thai farmers moved onto 
the island and said they had Thai government land deeds to back up their 
claims. 

The Thai farmers staged public protests when the Burmese brought in workers 
and heavy equipment to dredge the island in order to change the river back to 
its previous course. 

The potential for conflict increased when Thai troops were sent to the island 
to counter the Burmese move, digging in as close as 20 yards (meters) from the 
Burmese troops. 

The Bangkok Post quotes today senior Thai military officers as saying the 
dispute was a misunderstanding and both sides had agreed to withdraw their 
forces. 

The officers claimed Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh had given permission 
to the Burmese to dredge the river but had failed to inform Thai military 
units at the border.