The Nation - Three Burmese held wit

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Subject: The Nation - Three Burmese held with blast material

The Nation - Oct 18, 1999.
Headlines
Three Burmese held with blast material

THREE Burmese nationals were arrested early yesterday in Ranong province
with seven sticks of dynamite and other explosives accessories, in the wake
of the bombing of four vessels in Burmese waters, the Ranong police chief
said yesterday.

Pol Maj Gen Charoen Maneewong, Ranong provincial police commander, said that
at about 3.30 am yesterday the trio were arrested by a special task police
unit in a vessel off Ranong port. The sticks of dynamite and equipment for
planting bombs were found on board.

Charoen said the explosive material found was enough to destroy scores of
trawlers and other vessels anchoring at Ranong port. Associated equipment
would have allowed the suspects to plant a bomb while giving them an hour to
escape before the explosion.

The three suspects were approaching Ranong port when they were arrested. The
special task police unit consisted of officials from local provincial
police, border patrol police, marine police and immigration police.

Earlier, two oil-container ships and two commodity-transportation vessels
were reportedly bombed in Burmese waters, Charoen revealed. All four vessels
were Burmese, and damage was worth about Bt100 million.

Charoen said police suspected that the owners of the four Burmese ships may
have suspected Thais of being behind the blasts, and hence may have sent the
trio to wreak revenge.

Thailand's relations with the Burmese junta have soured recently after Burma
closed its borders and revoked fishing concessions granted to Thai fishing
boats following the 25-hour hostage-taking crisis at the Burmese Embassy in
Bangkok on Oct 1.

Charoen added that he had asked for support from local military officials in
Ranong to investigate the motives of the three Burmese in entering Thai
waters with the explosive materials and equipment, as the military has
better resources and in-depth information on border security.

The Nation