Avoid border, army warns

Bangkokpost, Published: 5/05/2012 at 01:55 AM ... 

The 3rd Army has issued an advisory urging local people not to cross the border into Myanmar after the leader of a Karen splinter group closed border passes to retaliate against the government's accusation that he is involved in the narcotics trade.

Spokesman Therdsak Ngam-sanong said local leaders have been asked to tell residents to refrain from going to Myanmar unless necessary.

Third Army commander Charnchainarong Thanaroon has ordered security to be stepped up but deployed no extra troops, the spokesman said.

He said Lt Gen Charnchainarong's advice is just a precautionary measure taken after Maj Gen Na Kaw Muay, commander of the Karen rebel group under the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, in charge of the area opposite Mae Sot district of Thailand's Tak province, expressed anger at the Thai government.

He threatened to close all 12 border passes in areas he controls along the Thai-Myanmar border opposite Phop Phra and Umphang districts of Thailand's Tak province if his name is not removed from the drug blacklist.

Maj Gen Na Kaw Muay said yesterday he does not need to turn himself in because he has done nothing wrong.

He said he would not object to any inspection to clear any doubts about the group's alleged involvement in the narcotics trade.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, who oversees drug suppression policy, yesterday shrugged off the threats to close the passes and said he would resend an arrest warrant against Maj Gen Na Kaw Muay issued by a Thai court in 2003 to the Myanmar government and seek cooperation from Myanmar to help arrest him.

Col Therdsak said there is no unusual movement along the border from the Karen group.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/291859/avoid-border-army-warns