Fate of 70 Thais detained by Myanmar troops remains unknown

BANGKOK, July 6 (TNA) - The fate of some 70-80 Thai nationals who have been detained by Myanmar troops since July 5 has remained unknown while Thai army officers are negotiating with Myanmar soldiers for their release. The Thai army officers of the Tepsatree Task Force acknowledged on Friday that the exact number of the Thai nationals captured by the Myanmar troops has also been unknown, but 18 of them have been able to escape so far and crossed the border back to the Thai territory. According to the army officers, the captured Thais appeared not to have intended to encroach on the Myanmar territory, but most of them were misled by brokers telling them the land, actually located on the Myanmar soil, was in Thailand and was available for sale at inexpensive prices for settlement. The army officers reported that the captured Thais went into the area to plant rubber trees before dawn Thursday and were later arrested by the Myanmar troops opposite Kra Buri District in Thailand's southern resort Ranong Province. So far there has been no response from Myanmar on when the Thai nationals will be released, but eyewitnesses said they were treated well. (TNA)