Security Alert

 

BORDER OFFICE RAIDED BY THAI AUTHORITIES

(Kao-Wao, August 20, 2002)

 

The border offices working on Thai soil at Sangkhalaburi, Karnchanaburi Province of western Thailand were being raided in this morning.

 

The Thai police and local authorities raided ethnic and democratic groups at the border town around 9:30 a.m local time and over thirty Burmese were sent to Sangkhalaburi police station for questioning.  According to a leader of Peoples Democratic Front (PDF), offices being cracked-down were National League for Democracy - Liberated Area (NLD-LA), Democratic Party for New Society (DPNS), a Christian church and the English language training class run by a local NGO.

 

Those arrested in the English class included women, activists, members of PDF, ABSDF and two Mon students from MYPO (Mon Youth Progressive Organization).  The detainees were held at the police station and their release or whether being deported to Burma is unknown.

 

The Bangkok Post on August 19, 2002 reported the Burmese military junta has proposed talks with the Thai government early next month on reopening the border and ways of preventing any future closure.  The Burmese source on the Township Border Committee (TBC) said Rangoon would not reopen the border until Thailand announce a clear stance on its relationship with ethnic minorities openly opposing the ruling junta which was Burma’s major concern.

 

Since early July, ethnic and democratic offices working on the Thai-Burma border have closed in fear of Thai government's alleged decision to crack down on the activities of their organizations.  After the closure of Thai-Burma border, Thai Defense Minister ordered authorities to arrest minority groups operating in Thailand and many NGOs offices working on Burma have closed and stayed in low profile.