Military bases potentially pose new border issue
The establishment of new military bases near border was the focus of the Thai-Myanmar Burmese Township Border Committee (TBC), taking place yesterday in Chiang Rai.
Attending the meeting was Gen Yongyuth Laokhetkarn, as chairman of TBC Thailand.
Yongyuth urged the Myanmar side to remove the eight bases, located near Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, so that this would not affect the bilateral relationship.
Myanmar retalitated by saying that on June 12, 2014, Thai soldiers were 500 metres deep into Myanmar territory, on their way to destroy poppy fields. Without any notice, Myanmar soldiers fired two warning shots. The military bases were established after Thailand's accusation that the shooting lasted 15 minutes. At the meeting, they urged Thailand not to step into Myanmar territory like that again.
Meanwhile, Myanmar also raised other border issues that need to be addressed. First, sand suction at a Thai village opposite Myanmar'sTachileik causes the diversion of the river flow, hurting agricultural areas in Myanmar.
Second, on July 3, Thai police arrested a 16-year Myanmar national for stealing in Mae Sai and assaulted him. Myanmar urged for the release of the man and protested against Thailand's failure to protect the national under the Thai law.
Meanwhile, it reiterated that Thailand should remove 29 military bases in Doi Lang Chuam, Chiang Mai, while both countries settle the disputes over the border line.
They also urged for the sharing of information, referring to the confiscation of 50,000 amphetamine (Ya Baa) pills along the border on January 19.
On the Myanmar side, 97 individuals have been arrested for the possession of 133.34kg of heroin, 183,411 Ya Baa pills and others.
