Bangkok Post(12/5/99)

[mandalay@xxxxxxxxxx]

<center><bold>Pro-Burma Karen attack Thai forces 

</bold></center>

Supamart Kasem

Thai forces clashed with pro-Rangoon Karen guerrillas near the
Thai-Burmese border on Thursday while pursuing car smugglers, border
officials said yesterday.


The clash started when some 50 Democratic Karen Buddhist Army soldiers
positioned on Burmese soil and four others in Thai territory fired on
Thai authorities chasing a car smuggling gang attempting to cross the
Moei river, they said.


The gun battle lasted about 20 minutes but no deaths or injuries were
reported, they said.


The four Karen intruders fled back into Burma, while the smugglers in a
Nissan Cefiro managed to escape.


Col Chaluay Yaempo, chief of the Fourth Infantry Regiment Task Force,
said yesterday that car smuggling was rampant along the border.


Sources at the Mae Sot customs office said that second-hand imported
Japanese cars have become popular in Burma.


Seven of these cars were being kept at the customs office, waiting to be
imported into Burma, they added.


However, they said, Burma has imposed a ban on this type of car and now
they could be transported into Burma only by smuggling, which was being
carried out by DKBA guerrillas.


Lt-Gen Wattanachai Chaimuenwong, commander of the Third Army Region,
yesterday called for co-operation from all concerned in curbing car
smuggling.


He said the army was willing to provide support and act as a
co-ordinator.

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