Date of publication: 07-04-2013
Thirteen Myanmar soldiers have killed in a conflict with previously reported as unidentified armed forces on the Thai-Myanmar border were actually lost in a forest, but are now safe, according to the authorities of Myanmar.
Myanmar also revoked its earlier report that an armed conflict had erupted at the border in the southern province of Ranong, on the same location where 92 Thais were arrested last year.
Winthai Suwaree Deputy army spokesman said yesterday that the Thai authorities were informed that the incorrect report was the result of miscommunication.
The 13 soldiers were patrolling the area at a time that a bush-fire, he said.
Cracking sounds caused by the fire mistaken as gunfire by colleagues of the patrolling soldiers listening to the other side of radio communication. After reporting to their base, they lost soldiers patrolling contact, making the local Myanmar authorities to seek help from their Thai counterparts after the soldiers could not be found, according to the Thai army spokesman.
"The latest report of the Myanmar authorities was that it was a misunderstanding. It claimed that there is no armed conflict in the border area was and there aren't any deaths, "said the spokesman.
In Ranong, Colonel Uthit Anantananont, Deputy Commander of the 25th Infantry Regiment Special Task Force, which is responsible for the border area, said yesterday that the 13 Myanmar soldiers were found by their colleagues quest deep into a forest in Myanmar.
The patrol team had 15 soldiers and only two of them had been able to find their way back to the base before the search began, said Uthit. "Now the situation is deemed to have returned to normal in the border area between Thailand's Ranong and Kawthaung Myanmar," he said.
He added that a trip by the Fourth Army area commander to Ranong to look at the issue was canceled after the latest report of the Myanmar authorities.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul also confirmed yesterday that there had been a misunderstanding, saying the cracking sound of trees burn was confused by the missing soldiers peers as gunfire.
Myanmar authorities arrested in July last year, 92 Thai in the border area opposite Ranong of Kra Buri district for on Myanmar territory. Eighty-eight of them were eventually released, but the rest have been detained on weapons and drugs charges.
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