Myanmar Border In Singkhon Will Reopen On Monday

Myanmar releases 2 Thai border patrol police

TAK: -- Two Thai border patrol police who were detained by a Karen Buddhist faction allied to the Myanmar military junta since Thursday were released Monday morning.

The two policemen--Police Sub-Lieutenant Chavalit Rattanaphan and Police Lance Corporal Prayongyuth Panthang—crossed the border at Valley Village crossing point at the Phop Phra border district of Tak province.

Pol. Sub-Lt. Chavalit said he had been treated well while being held captive. He also thanked those who helped secure his release.

The two officers were detained by members of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) last Thursday at the western Thai border district of Sangkhlaburi in Kanchanaburi province.

First Army Region commander Lt-Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha said Sunday that the Third Army Region, which is responsible for security affairs in the North, had been assigned to negotiate the release of the two border patrol police officers.

Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, chairman of the Council for National Security (CNS) and Army commander said the two police officers were taken to Phitsanulok province for debriefing. He also said that Gen.Prayuth will report to him the result of investigation of the incident.

Meanwhile, Col. Surin Nilluang, deputy commander of the Surasi Task Force in Prachaup Khiri Khan province, confirmed that Singkhon border checkpoint will reopen at 1 pm (1300 hours) Monday after being closed temporarily along with main Myanmar border checkpoints since Saturday.

--TNA 2007-03-26