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Activists applaud Thai role
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<font size=4><b>Activists applaud Thai role<br>
</font><font size=3>Wassana Nanuam<br>
</font><font size=5>T</font></b><font size=3>he government has received
rare praise as the first batch of 150 troops prepares to fly out to join
the peacekeeping force in East Timor tomorrow.<br>
Social critic Sulak Sivaraksa welcomed the decision to contribute to the
Australian-led force but also took the opportunity to criticise the
military junta in Rangoon.<br>
"I hope in future Burma will have a military which is willing to bow
to democracy and the people," he said.<br>
Mr Sulak and Kraisak Choonhavan led a coalition of 15 human rights groups
in announcing full support for Thai participation in East Timor. They
also presented a Buddha statuette to Lt-Gen Somsak Salyakamthorn of the
Supreme Command.<br>
The Phra Pairee Pinart figurine is expected to accompany the Thai troops
to the trouble zone.<br>
Mr Sulak urged the soldiers to follow Buddhist principles. He said the
statuette was the best weapon against greed, wrath and illusion.<br>
Mr Kraisak said he would love to see Thai soldiers on a similar mission
in other troubled areas such as Kosovo.<br>
The troops will fly to East Timor aboard three C-130 air force transport
planes. Thailand will contribute a total of 1,500 troops to the UN peace
force. </font>
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