September 18 (NMG) ­ Fifteen Burmese students who tried to stage demonstration in front of Burmese Embassy in Bangkok were arrested by Thai authorities on 18th September as the day marks 15th anniversary of military coup by military regime in Burma.

Daw Nu Kyin and sons, family members of veteran Thirty-Comrade Bo Yan Naing, were among these detained activists. Joint Action Committee for Democracy in Burma (JACDB) and other four pro- democratic organizations jointly organized this demonstration, the report said.

The detainees were immediately transferred to Thai Immigration Detention Center (IDC). Ko Nay Min Paing who used to be body-guard of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said “I am talking from IDC. We are confined inside the hot police van. Total 15 activists were arrested including student leaders from Bangkok, members of JOC, Mon students, members of ABBESU, members of ONSOB and me.”

He said he does not understand why the Thai government arrested them while they were planning to stage a peaceful demonstration for release of Aung San Suu Kyi and restoration of democracy in Burma.

It has been nearly four months that Burma’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was under "protective custody” by the military government after May 30 massacre.

The military government took over country’s power exactly 15 years ago on 18 September 1988. Though the military promised to hand over power to the election-winning party in 1990 general elections, the promise had been nullified.

With anticipation of possible demonstrations in upcoming October APEC meeting in Thailand, Thai government issues its strong policy of banning demonstration through the media as early as on September 17.

During the time of reporting, the detainees were likely to transfer from IDC to Special Detention Center (SDC), one of detainee activist, Ko Zaw Gyi said.

In a similar scenario, Thai government arrested eleven Burmese activists and kept in the IDC and later these students were sent to SDC as they were connected with politics.

Network Media Group