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AFP-Thailand expects Myanmar to soo



Reply-To: "TIN KYI" <tinkyi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: AFP-Thailand expects Myanmar to soon lay charges against 24 Thai gamblers

Thailand expects Myanmar to soon lay charges against 24 Thai gamblers
BANGKOK, Oct 24 (AFP) - Thai officials said Sunday they expected 24 Thai
gamblers being held in Myanmar to be charged within days for allegedly
violating immigration laws.
The men were among a group of more than 70 Thais who were arrested Friday
after allegedly crossing illegally from southern Ranong province into
Myanmar to gamble at a casino.

The detention of the Thais has further strained relations between the two
neighbours following a hostage crisis at Yangon's embassy here this month in
which gunmen demanded democracy in military-run Myanmar.

"We have asked for a quick trial and that any punishment be confined to a
fine, not jail," said Ranong provincial governor Thawat Hantra.

Thawat said if convicted of crossing the border illegally the men would face
fines of up to 1,000 dollars or three years jail.

He said earlier reports indicated 32 Thais were still being held in Myanmar
but it now appeared that eight of the men were Myanmar locals.

Thawat said the wives and children of the Thai gamblers were released
Friday, along with nine men early Saturday.

Myanmar closed its border with Thailand on October 2, after Bangkok provided
an escape helicopter for five anti-junta gunmen who had been holding 38
people hostage at Yangon's embassy.

Myanmar was angered by Thailand's handling of the hostage crisis, especially
comments from a senior Thai minister who described the gunmen as "not
terrorists, but student activists fighting for democracy."

Yangon has indicated it will only reopen the border when the gunmen from the
"Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors" (VBSW) organisation are arrested.

Thailand has issued arrest warrants for the radical student activists but
says it does not know their whereabouts.

Senior members of the VBSW told AFP earlier this week that the gunmen were
on the run inside Myanmar.