Chalerm wants arrest of Karen rebel group chief

Bangkokpost, Published: 9/05/2012 at 01:49 AM    ....

Thailand has asked Myanmar authorities to help arrest Maj Gen Na Kham Mwe, a leader of a Karen rebel group, who was recently put on Thailand's list of its 25 most-wanted drug traffickers.

Na Kham Mwe: B1m drug bounty on head

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, who oversees the country's drugs suppression work, said yesterday Pol Gen Adul Sangsingkeo, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, has asked Myanmar's police chief to help bring about the arrest of Maj Gen Na Kham Mwe.

Maj Gen Na Kham Mwe, leader of the Karen rebel group under the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, has a 1 million baht bounty on his head. He is the fifth-most wanted drug kingpin in Thailand and has had an outstanding warrant out for his arrest since 2003.

His alleged involvement in drugs recently hit the news after Mr Chalerm disclosed it to the public.
In retaliation, Maj Gen Na Kham Mwe deployed his Karen soldiers to seal off Myanmar's border areas with Mae Sot district in the northern province of Tak. The Myanmar army has now ordered the Karen rebel leader to withdraw his troops to prevent relations between the two countries from souring.

Mr Chalerm said he was ready to travel to Myanmar to discuss the request for assistance in apprehending Maj Gen Na Kham Mwe.

Pol Maj Gen Surapol Thuanthong, deputy commissioner of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB), said Thai police had strong evidence to substantiate drugs charges against the rebel.

Pol Maj Gen Surapol said NSB police in 2003 arrested a woman in Bangkok who had 900,000 methamphetamine pills in her possession.

Later that same year, the Criminal Court sentenced her to death but reduced the sentence to life imprisonment after she admitted to the crime.

She also disclosed she was transporting the drugs for Maj Gen Na Kham Mwe, he said.

In Tak, a border source said yesterday Maj Gen Na Kham Mwe would talk to the media again at his military camp opposite Tak's Phop Phra district tomorrow to disclose drug-trafficking networks in Myanmar. He earlier spoke to the media at his camp last week to deny involvement in the drug trade.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/292426/chalerm-wants-arrest-of-karen-rebel-group-chief