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fishing with baht



dear burmanet friends,

very interesting news. spdc has accidentally discovered new weapon - use 
business for economic pressure on exile groups. like sanction in reverse!

i wonder who will take bait?

hello bo mya, what are you thinking?

love from, susu

>From: Rangoon Post Co-Editor <RangoonPost@xxxxxxx>
>THE NATION - October 21, 1999
>Thai fishermen put bounty on hostage-takers
>
>A GROUP of Thai fishermen are offering a reward of Bt5 million for the
>capture of the five students who stormed the Burmese embassy in Bangkok,
>in
>the hope of regaining their fishing rights in Burmese waters.
>
>''We decided to put up the reward because we believe that it is the only
>way
>our fishermen can resume their activities,'' said Somkiet Sathajit who
>represents Thai fishermen based on the west coast.
>
>Rangoon closed its waters to Thai fishing boats after the embassy
>incident.
>Border crossings have also been closed.
>
>The Burmese ambassador to Thailand, Hla Muang, recently suggested that
>the
>arrest of the five Burmese students, who were given safe passage after
>the
>embassy incident, could help improve the situation.
>
>''Thai fishermen have no other alternative,'' Somkiet said. ''The
>closure is
>causing great damage to the economy. Earning from fishing activities
>total
>billions of baht a year and these have been disrupted.''
>
>Meanwhile, Komet Daengthongdee, governor of Ratchaburi province, said he
>would ask officials with the United Nations High Commissioner for
>Refugees
>(UNHCR) who were held captive by Burmese exiles at the Maneeloy Holding
>Centre on Monday to take legal action against their captors. He said
>this
>would serve as a warning to exiled students not to engage in violent
>acts.
>
>Komet said he would ask the officials to file charges with the police
>accusing the Burmese exiles of violating their rights by holding them
>captive.
>
>The officials were locked up inside the Maneeloy Holding Centre in
>Ratchaburi for almost six hours after the Burmese had complained about
>the
>payments they receive from the UNHCR.
>
>Komet said he had also received complaints from people living near the
>centre, but added that it was a sensitive issue and Thailand must not be
>seen to be violating anyone's human rights.
>
>Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai said it was not necessary to close the
>centre,
>but he added that the agencies involved must reconsider how to keep
>order
>among people seeking political asylum in Thailand.
>
>''We have let these Burmese exiles stay on Thai soil for so long that
>the
>problem has become exacerbated,'' Chuan said.
>
>''If they are seeking shelter in Thailand but still causing us trouble,
>then
>we cannot take responsibility for them any further,'' added Interior
>Minister Sanan Kachornprasart.

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