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Bangkok post (13/5/98) news



News Headlines
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1): 11 Thais taken hostage by guerrillas of DKBA
2): Ex-MTA troops turn to recketeering
3): Cooperation sought with Burma
4):Singapore rides to Rangoon's defence
-----------------------------------------

11 Thais taken hostage by guerrillas of DKBA

Half a million baht ransom demanded

Eleven Thais have been taken hostage by Democratic Karen Buddhist Army
(DKBA) guerrillas in Burma opposite Tha Song Yang. A 500,000-baht ransom is
being demanded.
	A border official said Jamnonng Khammuen, owner of an illegal sawmill in a
DKBA-held area opposite Ban Mae La in Tha Song Yang and his ten workers
were arrested by DKBA troops on Monday while inspecting the sawmill, which
have been damaged in the Karen National Union (KNU) rebels' recent attack
on the area.
	About 30 KNU soldiers attacked a DKBA stronghold under Capt Saw Ba Yoo of
the 999th division on Monday morning. Four DKBA soldiers were killed. Mr
Jamnong's sawmill was burnt down. During the attack Mr Jamnong and his men
were not at the sawmill, causing the DKBA to suspect them of colluding with
the KUN. 
	Taken hostage were Mr jamnong, Chalong khammuen, Narong Jamnong, Niwat
kanching Boon Kanthaka, Nuan Khrongraj, Kamthorn Kaewjinda and two other
men identified only as Luen and Ae.
	The DKBA had accused the 11 Thai men of working as spies for the KNU and
demanded 500,000 baht and 30 sacks of rice or they would seek legal action
against the men for illegal entry and backing rebels, the source added.
				-----------

Ex-MTA troops turn to racketeering

Group of former Mong Tai Army (MTA) troops has turn to banditry and is
extorting protecting money from drug production plants and bus operators
along the Thai-Burmese border.
	A Thai border official said some 80,100 former MTA soldiers, who had
joined the Shan State Army rebel group after Rangoon's takeover of Ho Mong
town from the Khun Sa-led MTA, had announced that they would quit the SSA
last Tuesday.
	According to the source, the move came after the group, whose stronghold
is in southern Shan state of Burma opposite Pang Ma Pha district of Mae
Hong Son, had long been pressured by the Burmese army and other SSA troops
over their suspected involvement with drug production in Burma.
	The source said He believed the group, led by Choa Doen Hoeng, had
demanded protection fees from drug production factories and bus operators
in southern Shan state.
	Many merchants in Ho Mong had earlier received letters from the group
demanding protection fees but they have been barred by Burmese troops in
that town from paying the money, the source added.
					--------

Cooperation sought with Burma

Thai and Burmese authorities are negotiating a memorandum of understanding
aimed at promoting tourism cooperation between the neighboring countries,
the Tourism Authority of Thailand said yesterday.
	Among the key provisions being negotiated is the ability to travel
overland through several border passed between the two countries, it said.
	Prime Minister's Office Minister Jurin Laksanavisit, who chairs the TAT,
and Gen Aye Myint Kyu, deputy minister of hotels and tourism in Burma, was
the chief negotiator.
	The agreement is expected to be ready for signing in July.
Thailand is calling on Burma to upgrade roads to make overland trips from
Thailand deep into Burma possible.
	
Although three overland border crossing points have been established,
Burmese military authorities have closed them several times when tensions
have increases between the two countries.
	Foreign tourists who cross the overland border checkpoints are also not
allowed to travel on to Rangoon, Mandalay or other Burmese tourist
destinations, but for the most part are restricted to travelling in the
local area.

Singapore rides to Rangoon's defence

A Singaporean Cabinet minister was quoted yesterday as saying his
government rejects Western criticism of Burma, whose military rulers are
shunned by the United States and the European Union because of human rights
abuses.
	"It is easier to criticism than to build," George Yeo, minister of
information and the arts, said during a visit to Burma.
	" We refuse to accept the Western view that all roads lead to Rome, their
Rome," he said.     



	 


Although three overland border crossing points have been established,
Burmese military authorities have closed them several times when tensions
have increases between the two countries.
	Foreign tourists who cross the overland border checkpoints are also not
allowed to travel on to Rangoon, Mandalay or other Burmese tourist
destinations, but for the most part are restricted to travelling in the
local area.
					----------

Singapore rides to Rangoon's defence

A Singaporean Cabinet minister was quoted yesterday as saying his
government rejects Western criticism of Burma, whose military rulers are
shunned by the United States and the European Union because of human rights
abuses.
	"It is easier to criticism than to build," George Yeo, minister of
information and the arts, said during a visit to Burma.
	" We refuse to accept the Western view that all roads lead to Rome, their
Rome," he said.     


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