Three Burmese soldiers defect on Thai border
CHIANG MAI, Thailand, Jan 19 (AFP)

Three Burmese soldiers posted on the country's eastern border with Thailand have defected to the rebel Shan State Army (SSA), the rebels' spokeswoman said Sunday.

Zin Thu Tun, Sun Min and Zin Wine, all privates from army regiment 226, gave themselves up on Friday to a base camp of the SSA near Pan Mai Sueng hill, SSA spokeswoman Nam Khur Hsen told AFP by telephone.

She said the three had fled from their frontline positions located on Pan Mai Sueng, which lies opposite northern Thailand's Wiang Haeng town in Chiang Mai province, due to a lack of food and tough conditions.

"Two of them are very young, around only 17 and 19, and they brought with them weapons: three assault rifles with 1,680 rounds, 12 magazine boxes, seven hand grenades and six detonators," Nam Khur Hsen said.

"We are moving them to a safe area and will provide what they need ... We will let them decide their future by themselves."

A report in November cited a Thai army task force commander as saying Burmese troops were massing along the Thai-Burmese border to prepare for the regular dry-season assault against the SSA in December or January.

The SSA -- one of the few rebel groups still fighting Rangoon's rule -- attacked Burma's frontline positions in May last year and captured three strategic hills, including Pan Mai Sueng, which they held for a month.

©2001-2003  Burma Today All Right Reserved  Graphic Design : burmatoday2002@yahoo.com