Burmese release 2 foreign journalists

MAE SAI: -- The Burmese authorities yesterday released two foreign journalists detained on Saturday after they had mistakenly crossed the border into Burma from Thailand.

The two journalists working for Aerial magazine, Kris Coppteters from Belgium and Aude Tirly from France, were let back into Thailand across the Friendship Bridge in the town of Mae Sai in Chiang Rai after their one-night detention in Burma’s Tachilek.

The two said they had accidentally crossed the border on Saturday at Ban Bang Mahan in Chiang Rai’s Mae Fa Luang district while preparing to fly gliders along the border.

The two journalists were on an assignment to report on the aerial scenery along the Thai-Burmese border.

The pair only realised that they had inadvertently left Thai territory when they were found by Burmese soldiers in a paddy field.

The subsequent interrogation last night found they had no intention of entering the military-ruled country. Burmese officials then contacted their Thai counterparts at the joint Township Border Committee, informing them that the two journalists wished to return to Thailand.

--The Nation 2005-11-28

They were fortunate.

Reminds me of an occasion a number of years ago when three of us did our visa run in Ranong. A Brit journalist had been arrested in Burma for "disseminating propaganda" and released shortly before our trip after The Forign Office got involved. Relations between the two countries was not good.

At the small Burmese imm hut, we found the usual faces, but one new one who was obviously fairly senior. Whilst processing our stamps he asked us what we did for a living. Well, the Belgian said construction, the Swede the same and then Brain of Britain here, deciding to tell the truth, replied that he used to work in newspapers and magazines. I've never had my already stamped passport snatched back out of my hands so quickly before.

Obviously, the situation was resolved. Moral of the story - lie in situations like that and certainly never admit to being/having been a journalist if you can help it.

.... I've never had my already stamped passport snatched back out of my hands so quickly before.

Obviously, the situation was resolved. Moral of the story - lie in situations like that and certainly never admit to being/having been a journalist if you can help it.

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Surely the best answer for that question is that you are an English teacher, "You want cheap private lesson?". If any reaction it shold get you an escort to the Thai border, to ensure your return from whence you came.