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Bkk Post - Troops mingle amicably i

Subject: Bkk Post - Troops mingle amicably in no-man's land

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Bangkok Post - Jan 03, 2000
Troops mingle amicably in no-man's land
Only buffer zone is a 20m-wide playfield


Sermsuk Kasitipradit Wassana Nanuam


Of the army's 11 military outposts in the disputed area of Doi Lang, the =
Aek Archa base is located in the most threatening site, since only a =
20m-wide playground separates it from the Burmese military camp.

"I didn't expect our camp to be so close to the Burmese soldiers. It =
looked quite threatening when we first arrived," said Sgt-Maj Prasert =
Supengkham, who is in charge of the base opposite Burma's 527th =
battalion.

However, he said the situation at the camp was not worrisome as soldiers =
from both sides are under strict instructions not to do anything that =
could spark a conflict.

The cavalry soldier was quite confident the situation in the area was =
unlikely to turn explosive.

Both sides have agreed to apply certain rules to avoid any mistrust that =
may affect mutual understanding. Among these is a commitment from both =
military camps to inform each other of any new developments in the area.

"We have agreed to inform each other if one side wants to inspect the =
disputed area and the inspection must be accompanied by troops of the =
other side. We will also let them know in advance if we plan to fly our =
helicopters over the area," said an officer from the Pha Mueng Task =
Force.

The playground, 20m wide and 40m long, was jointly constructed for daily =
sports activities such as volley ball and takraw.=20

The buffer zone-cum-playground also houses a small wooden pavilion which =
serves as a meeting place.

Soldiers from both sides can share the place but they are strictly =
barred from entering the military outpost of the other side.

"Usually, senior Burmese officers from nearby bases come here to dine =
with our officers. We discuss everything as long as it helps strengthen =
ties and create better understanding. We do not make them feel =
uncomfortable," said a junior cavalry officer.

Thai soldiers' daily activities begin with exercise at 5.30am before =
breakfast and singing of the national anthem at 8am. They return to =
their bunks at around 8.30pm.

Around 80 local villagers known as "People Power the Defender", whom the =
army has trained, take turns to patrol the camp at night.

"We have to keep in mind all the time that the situation here can turn =
violent at any moment as both sides are fully armed," said Capt Montri =
Genenakorn, a company commander whose base is located nearby.

English is the common language used by both sides to communicate with =
each other. Burmese soldiers are strictly forbidden to speak Burmese =
when they buy daily commodities from Thai villagers.

"We have told them to talk only in Thai or the local dialect so that =
people can understand what they discuss among themselves. They have =
co-operated fully," said a cavalry lieutenant who is a platoon =
commander.


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<H1 align=3Dleft><FONT color=3D#800000 size=3D4>Bangkok Post - Jan 03,=20
2000</FONT><FONT size=3D4></FONT></H1>
<H1 align=3Dleft><FONT size=3D4>Troops mingle amicably in no-man's =
land</FONT></H1><!--KICKER--><FONT size=3D3><I>Only buffer zone is a =
20m-wide=20
playfield</I><BR><BR></FONT>
<P><FONT color=3D#000000><!--BYLINE--><B><FONT size=3D3>Sermsuk =
Kasitipradit Wassana=20
Nanuam</FONT></B><BR>
<P><FONT size=3D+2><B>O</B></FONT>f the army's 11 military outposts in =
the=20
disputed area of Doi Lang, the Aek Archa base is located in the most =
threatening=20
site, since only a 20m-wide playground separates it from the Burmese =
military=20
camp.</P>
<P>"I didn't expect our camp to be so close to the Burmese soldiers. It =
looked=20
quite threatening when we first arrived," said Sgt-Maj Prasert =
Supengkham, who=20
is in charge of the base opposite Burma's 527th battalion.</P>
<P>However, he said the situation at the camp was not worrisome as =
soldiers from=20
both sides are under strict instructions not to do anything that could =
spark a=20
conflict.</P>
<P>The cavalry soldier was quite confident the situation in the area was =

unlikely to turn explosive.</P>
<P>Both sides have agreed to apply certain rules to avoid any mistrust =
that may=20
affect mutual understanding. Among these is a commitment from both =
military=20
camps to inform each other of any new developments in the area.</P>
<P>"We have agreed to inform each other if one side wants to inspect the =

disputed area and the inspection must be accompanied by troops of the =
other=20
side. We will also let them know in advance if we plan to fly our =
helicopters=20
over the area," said an officer from the Pha Mueng Task Force.</P>
<P>The playground, 20m wide and 40m long, was jointly constructed for =
daily=20
sports activities such as volley ball and takraw. </P>
<P>The buffer zone-cum-playground also houses a small wooden pavilion =
which=20
serves as a meeting place.</P>
<P>Soldiers from both sides can share the place but they are strictly =
barred=20
from entering the military outpost of the other side.</P>
<P>"Usually, senior Burmese officers from nearby bases come here to dine =
with=20
our officers. We discuss everything as long as it helps strengthen ties =
and=20
create better understanding. We do not make them feel uncomfortable," =
said a=20
junior cavalry officer.</P>
<P>Thai soldiers' daily activities begin with exercise at 5.30am before=20
breakfast and singing of the national anthem at 8am. They return to =
their bunks=20
at around 8.30pm.</P>
<P>Around 80 local villagers known as "People Power the Defender", whom =
the army=20
has trained, take turns to patrol the camp at night.</P>
<P>"We have to keep in mind all the time that the situation here can =
turn=20
violent at any moment as both sides are fully armed," said Capt Montri=20
Genenakorn, a company commander whose base is located nearby.</P>
<P>English is the common language used by both sides to communicate with =
each=20
other. Burmese soldiers are strictly forbidden to speak Burmese when =
they buy=20
daily commodities from Thai villagers.</P>
<P>"We have told them to talk only in Thai or the local dialect so that =
people=20
can understand what they discuss among themselves. They have co-operated =
fully,"=20
said a cavalry lieutenant who is a platoon=20
commander.</P></FONT></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

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