Thai Defence Minister Visits Myanmar; Seeks To Help Detainees

[webfact]

Thai Defence Minister visits Myanmar; seeks to help detainees

BANGKOK, Aug 15 - Thai Defence Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat on Wednesday is in Myanmar on an introductory visit to the neighbouring country and will discuss with the Myanmar president about the plight of 92 Thais detained for encroaching onto Myanmar territory.

ACM Sukampol left Bangkok Wednesday morning for Myanmar for a two-day official visit after being invited by his Myanmar counterpart to improve relations between the two countries and exchange views on several issues.

Regarding the detention of 92 Thai detainees, the minister said he will discuss the issue with Myanmar President Thein Sein seeking to resolve the matter of the detainees after a Myanmar Court delivers its verdict.

He reaffirmed that Thailand must respect the court decision.

The 92 Thai villagers, including 10 women, were detained for encroaching onto Myanmar territory on July 4.

The suspects maintained they were misled by a broker to clear land for rubber plantation which they later learned was beyond the zone authorised by Myanmar officials for Thais to use.

Defence ministry spokesperson Col Thanatip Sawangsaeng said the detainees were found guilty on three charges. Eighty-two were sentenced by the Kawthaung provincial court to three and a half years jail for illegal entry.

Another two persons face drug charges and their trial will take place tomorrow, while eight persons charged with possessing military weapons are being tried today. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-08-15

[khaowong1]

In most countries it would be the Secretary of State or Foreign Minister taking on those responsibilities. Why would the Defense Minister be involved?

[jerrysteve]

Does Thailand have a Secretary of State?

[jerrysteve]

It will be interesting to see if the courts in Myanmar are as week as the courts and judges here, but granting bail after convictions.

Hopefully if found guilty, they won't be able to get off the hook of spending time in prison.

[dcutman]

I am guessing Thai's are not get a lot of sympathy in Myanmar after all the years of murder and abuse their citizens have endured here in Thailand.

[SuneeTH]

I am guessing Thai's are not get a lot of sympathy in Myanmar after all the years of murder and abuse their citizens have endured here in Thailand.

Wrong.

Thai only shoot to kill Cambodian illegal loggers; not Burmese.

[Nickymaster]

I am guessing Thai's are not get a lot of sympathy in Myanmar after all the years of murder and abuse their citizens have endured here in Thailand.

Wrong.

Thai only shoot to kill Cambodian illegal loggers; not Burmese.

Any proof or is it another smartass statement?

Edited August 16, 2012 by Nickymaster

[SuneeTH]

I am guessing Thai's are not get a lot of sympathy in Myanmar after all the years of murder and abuse their citizens have endured here in Thailand.

Wrong.

Thai only shoot to kill Cambodian illegal loggers; not Burmese.

Any proof or is it another smartass statement?

Try reading this link

[dcutman]

I am guessing Thai's are not get a lot of sympathy in Myanmar after all the years of murder and abuse their citizens have endured here in Thailand.

Wrong.

Thai only shoot to kill Cambodian illegal loggers; not Burmese.

I am wrong? Really? You might want to read up before you make your self look silly.

Here is one of many many stories.

Little Being Done To Counter Rampant Trafficking Of Burmese Into Thai Fishing Industry

[Mosha]

I am guessing Thai's are not get a lot of sympathy in Myanmar after all the years of murder and abuse their citizens have endured here in Thailand.

Wrong.

Thai only shoot to kill Cambodian illegal loggers; not Burmese.

I can tell you of one local Thai guy, he was smuggling illegals from Ranong to the fish processing plants near Bangkok. It was an air tight refridgerated truck. When they started dieing, they started banging on the truck sides and shouting for help. He was near a check point and really angry with the noise. So he got out of his cab, and yelled at them to shut up. When he saw what he had done he ran. Luckily he was caught but only served 6 months for involuntary manslaughter. I know this as my wife knows his mum. So I have no problem with the Burmese sticking these dickheads in a similar truck, and transporting them to the Mae sot crossing point.. Think before you post

Edited August 16, 2012 by Mosha