Thais warned to avoid Myanmar border area after tourists abducted by Karen rebels

By THE SUNDAY NATION

 

THAIS have been warned not to travel to the Myanmar border area near Kanchanaburi after a group of 37 tourists were taken hostage yesterday by the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF).

 

The group, who crossed the border at Payathonzu in Karen State, were reportedly captured by the military group early yesterday in apparent retaliation for Thai authorities arresting underage sex workers under the control of the Karen group.

 

All 37 tourists were later released following negotiations involving Thai officers led by Pol Col Kwanchai Theerakul of Sangkhla Buri police, the Royal Thai Army, and local authorities.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30304635

 

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-01-22

" in apparent retaliation for Thai authorities arresting underage sex workers under the control of the Karen group. "  How unfair was that!

After one of my border hops in Kanchanaburi I reported to the police about my fears of a young girl being transported in a minibus across the border. A police friend said he would do what he could but that border is controlled by the army.

Anyone wants to declare the army is not really needed?

Yup, I will stay away from that place, Thanks.

3 hours ago, hansnl said:

Anyone wants to declare the army is not really needed?

 

No they are needed. They need to stay out of politics and need to protect the borders, not use them to feather their nests.

Edited January 22, 20179 yr by Reigntax
Typo

8 hours ago, BSJ said:

" in apparent retaliation for Thai authorities arresting underage sex workers under the control of the Karen group. "  How unfair was that!

That's the thai side of the story and we all know thai and truth are not best friends... not saying the karen border guard are saints but let's wait if irrawaddy mentions the incident and provides more 'facts'.

Well if the Thais say it it must be True TIT

Headline says Thais warned to avoid Myanmar border. Said nothing about tourists avoiding it?

6 hours ago, hansnl said:

Anyone wants to declare the army is not really needed?

Please the army can not even sort out the southern border it's to real. Time wasters to busy making money. Spare me the stories. I have served in the armed forces Iraq. I not need even listen to these characters. Only serving a fried general. Fill the coffers. Forget the people.

"Thais warned to avoid Myanmar border area"

Interesting, did anyone warn other tourists to avoid the area?

1 hour ago, performance said:

Please the army can not even sort out the southern border it's to real. Time wasters to busy making money. Spare me the stories. I have served in the armed forces Iraq. I not need even listen to these characters. Only serving a fried general. Fill the coffers. Forget the people.

"Only serving a fried general."

With all due respect, I am confused as to what a "fried general "happens to be.

I have heard of the Colonel's Fried Chicken, but surely no connection here?

Edited January 22, 20179 yr by ratcatcher

6 hours ago, ratcatcher said:

"Only serving a fried general."

With all due respect, I am confused as to what a "fried general "happens to be.

I have heard of the Colonel's Fried Chicken, but surely no connection here?

The brains fried. The road map is well off course to the compass as well.

1 hour ago, performance said:

The brains fried. The road map is well off course to the compass as well.

 

The roadmap is not off course. It never existed and the country is headed exactly where the junta intended.

 

The only problem is Prayuth doesnt want to tell the Thai people and most cant assess the situation and make a conclusion based on fact.

Honestly I went to Yangon as part of my "Go everywhere in Asia" goals.  It was dirty, even by SEA standards.  Hotels were priced higher than BKK or Malaysia or further developed nations.  Food was cheap but questionable.  I really don't intend to return.

That being said, I hope that people are treated in a safe and kind manner when visiting.

 

Amazingly the KFC that opened there a year ago is doing REALLY well, even though a few pieces of chicken costs a days minimum wage.

8 hours ago, JeffreyO said:

Honestly I went to Yangon as part of my "Go everywhere in Asia" goals.  It was dirty, even by SEA standards.  Hotels were priced higher than BKK or Malaysia or further developed nations.  Food was cheap but questionable.  I really don't intend to return.

That being said, I hope that people are treated in a safe and kind manner when visiting.

 

Amazingly the KFC that opened there a year ago is doing REALLY well, even though a few pieces of chicken costs a days minimum wage.

 

It is obvious that you don't understand the country and its history the slightest and did not do your homework, otherwise it would have been crystal-clear to you why hotel rooms are very expensive (but nowadays only half of what they cost back in 2013 and 2014), or why the City is decaying and dirty (but not half as dirty and decaying as it used to be in 2013 and 2014 as development is happening at a dramatic pace). Just six years ago there was almost no internet available, and the few places that offered internet in many cases used a car battery to power the machines as electricity was scarce and unaffordable to most people.  ATM's were unheard of until 2013 and credit cards not accepted anywhere. Oh, and a SIM card did cost 1.500$ until very recently, just to give you some impressions....

That you felt the need to patronize KFC at such a place speaks for itself

Edited January 24, 20179 yr by siam2007

On 1/23/2017 at 9:43 PM, siam2007 said:

 

It is obvious that you don't understand the country and its history the slightest and did not do your homework, otherwise it would have been crystal-clear to you why hotel rooms are very expensive (but nowadays only half of what they cost back in 2013 and 2014), or why the City is decaying and dirty (but not half as dirty and decaying as it used to be in 2013 and 2014 as development is happening at a dramatic pace). Just six years ago there was almost no internet available, and the few places that offered internet in many cases used a car battery to power the machines as electricity was scarce and unaffordable to most people.  ATM's were unheard of until 2013 and credit cards not accepted anywhere. Oh, and a SIM card did cost 1.500$ until very recently, just to give you some impressions....

That you felt the need to patronize KFC at such a place speaks for itself

Actually, I know why.  I do realize that it just recently became an "open" country and I am very familiar with the politics.  Just because i said something was not worth it doesn't mean I don't understand.  

Siam 2007?  Stay in Siam, it seems you might be best off there.  Enjoy the mall.

siam2007. I don't understand your attack on Jeffrey0.  Lots of us have a basic understanding of the history of Burma/ Myanmar. What the communists and military Junta did to Myanmar and the population is well documented. The fact the junta still controls Myanmar and still stifles its growth is well documented. The truth is that if the hungry generals quit Myanmar for China, the country would boom and bloom. Not going to happen. I would stay away from this compromised country. In the same way that I would stay away from Zimbabwe. Sure, I feel sorry for the population of both countries but the people were all for this perversion of living when the generals took control. And did nothing to stop it. At some stage an angry population needs to confront tyranny. Confront it or accept it. Hellp. Even eastern Europeans finally threw the Ruskies out. Maybe one day Ukraine and Georgia will do the same. Accepting oppression, well you go work it out.