New Probe Team Questioning Thais Over Weapons, Drugs: Myanmar

[webfact]

New probe team questioning Thais over weapons, drugs

Boonleun Promprathankul

The Nation

RANONG: -- Myanmar has sent a new team of investigators from the capital Nay Pyi Taw to probe claims that some of 92 Thais detained near Ranong possessed war weapons, an informed source said yesterday.

Myanmar had also asked Thailand to provide medical supplies because many of the 92 had fallen ill behind bars.

Due to the complexity of the charges, Myanmar dispatched a team of experts to Koh Song and this has held up the court trial on the weapons charge, previously slated for yesterday. It has been postponed indefinitely, the source reported, while a new inquiry had commenced and an unknown number of Thai suspects were questioned.

Meanwhile, Commander of the 25th Infantry Regiment Task Force, Col Pornsak Pulsawat, head of the ThaiMyanmar Township Border Committee in Ranong, said Myanmar had asked the Thai Embassy in Yangon for medical supplies to treat the 92 Thais at Nine Mile Prison. So officials had asked Ranong Hospital for drugs to treat high blood pressure, anxiety, plus prenatal supplements and household medicines to deliver to the detainees.

Myanmar authorities also notified Thai officials to gather the names of relatives so they can apply for permission to visit the 92 Thais. Each detainee would be allowed one visitor, he said.

Ranong public health official Dr Thongchai Kiratihatthayakorn urged relatives to take correct medicine for the detainees to local officials.

After reports that 10 Thais would face trial at a Koh Song court for possessing war weapons and drugs, relatives and friends of the detainees called on border officials yesterday to check if their loved ones were among those accused and to let them know the verdict.

The 92 Thais were arrested on July 4 for encroaching on forest in Myanmar territory. Koh Song Court has already sentenced the Thais to three years and six months in jail for illegal entry, as well as encroaching on forestland without permission.

There was no confirmation of an earlier report that Myanmar would release an initial batch of 10 Thais - who are female - on August 12. That would coincide with Mother's Day, if true.

-- The Nation 2012-07-31

[Dibbler]

What were these people doing with war weapons in the middle of the forest in Southern Myanmar? Apparently not just farming rubber and raising chickens. One suggestion I have heard is that they were part of a training camp of some sorts.

[Kilgore Trout]

What were these people doing with war weapons in the middle of the forest in Southern Myanmar? Apparently not just farming rubber and raising chickens. One suggestion I have heard is that they were part of a training camp of some sorts.

War weapons are usually used to protect drug crops ans stash/supply.

Typical of Thailand; "Foreigners bring drugs to Thailand, not Thais." Punishments for dealing or taking drugs are some of the most severe in the entire world.

However, when Thais go to other countries to produce and sell drugs, that is perfectly acceptable, and the Thai govt. will go at length to protect them.

[Cardiff1963]

What were these people doing with war weapons in the middle of the forest in Southern Myanmar? Apparently not just farming rubber and raising chickens. One suggestion I have heard is that they were part of a training camp of some sorts.

Well if it's a suggestion it must be true on TV