ID :
149387
Wed, 11/10/2010 - 12:54
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http://m.oananews.org//node/149387
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Myanmar nationals who fled clashes return home as hostilities cease
SANGKHLA BURI, Nov 10 - Myanmar nationals who escaped the fighting between an armed ethnic Karen force and Myanmar government troops and fled into Thailand's border provinces of Kanchanaburi and Tak returned to their homeland on Wednesday as hostilities have eased.
Some 3,500 Myanmar people had crossed the border to Kanchanaburi's Sangkhla Buri district, staying at Baan Song Kalia School since the clashes between a split-off faction of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the Myanmar army forces inside the Myanmar border town of Phaya Tong Su earlier this week.
Kanchanaburi deputy governor Chaiwat Lipwantha inspected the border area near Three Pagodas Pass Wednesday morning, saying the situation has gradually eased and some Myanmar people are returning to their homes.
Mr Chaiwat said Maj-Gen Tawan Ruangsri, 9th Infantry Regiment commander in his capacity as chief of the Surasee Task Force which overseas border security in Kanchanaburi, has confirmed hat gunfire was still heard Tuesday night, but not from fighting. Rather the gunfire was from Myanmar army troops warning off possible intruders.
Gen Tawan said the overall situation has improved but the army will monitor the situation for the next few days. Troops from the Surasee Task Force continue to patrol the Thai-Myanmar border to maintain peace and order in the kingdom, according to Deputy Governor Chaiwat.
In the Thai border province of Tak, the last group of Myanmar people who fled fighting in Myawaddy to Mae Sot district returned to their country Wednesday morning.
Pol Maj Rinnawat Phuwattanatikarn, commander of Thailand’s 346th Border Police Company, earlier said some 15,000 Myanmar people had sheltered in the unit's compound. Most decided to return across the river Tuesday afternoon, while a last 500 remain at the police base awaiting confirmation on the situation.
Thai officials have provided vehicles to transport the last group of Myanmar people to send them at the border crossing, and the Myanmar people waved their hands expressing their gratitude for Thailand's help.
Gen Sonthisak Wittaya-aneknant, deputy commander of the 3rd Army Area, said the return of the last batch of Myanmar people came as the clashes between the DKBA and Myanmar government forces ended, but they can cross into Thailand again if the situation worsens. Thailand is prepared to take care of them.
Tak governor Samart Loyfa, meanwhile, reported that the province has coordinated with Myawaddy provincial authorities and has been informed that the situation returns normal there, but there's still an attempt to release rumours causing fears among Myanmar people.
The governor assured that Thailand is ready to provide humanitarian aid to Myanmar people and allow them to re-enter the kingdom if the fighting continues there. (MCOT online news)
Some 3,500 Myanmar people had crossed the border to Kanchanaburi's Sangkhla Buri district, staying at Baan Song Kalia School since the clashes between a split-off faction of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the Myanmar army forces inside the Myanmar border town of Phaya Tong Su earlier this week.
Kanchanaburi deputy governor Chaiwat Lipwantha inspected the border area near Three Pagodas Pass Wednesday morning, saying the situation has gradually eased and some Myanmar people are returning to their homes.
Mr Chaiwat said Maj-Gen Tawan Ruangsri, 9th Infantry Regiment commander in his capacity as chief of the Surasee Task Force which overseas border security in Kanchanaburi, has confirmed hat gunfire was still heard Tuesday night, but not from fighting. Rather the gunfire was from Myanmar army troops warning off possible intruders.
Gen Tawan said the overall situation has improved but the army will monitor the situation for the next few days. Troops from the Surasee Task Force continue to patrol the Thai-Myanmar border to maintain peace and order in the kingdom, according to Deputy Governor Chaiwat.
In the Thai border province of Tak, the last group of Myanmar people who fled fighting in Myawaddy to Mae Sot district returned to their country Wednesday morning.
Pol Maj Rinnawat Phuwattanatikarn, commander of Thailand’s 346th Border Police Company, earlier said some 15,000 Myanmar people had sheltered in the unit's compound. Most decided to return across the river Tuesday afternoon, while a last 500 remain at the police base awaiting confirmation on the situation.
Thai officials have provided vehicles to transport the last group of Myanmar people to send them at the border crossing, and the Myanmar people waved their hands expressing their gratitude for Thailand's help.
Gen Sonthisak Wittaya-aneknant, deputy commander of the 3rd Army Area, said the return of the last batch of Myanmar people came as the clashes between the DKBA and Myanmar government forces ended, but they can cross into Thailand again if the situation worsens. Thailand is prepared to take care of them.
Tak governor Samart Loyfa, meanwhile, reported that the province has coordinated with Myawaddy provincial authorities and has been informed that the situation returns normal there, but there's still an attempt to release rumours causing fears among Myanmar people.
The governor assured that Thailand is ready to provide humanitarian aid to Myanmar people and allow them to re-enter the kingdom if the fighting continues there. (MCOT online news)
