Bomb suspects set free

Bomb suspects set free

16 of the suspects nabbed following the blasts that killed 4 and destroyed the King Bayintnaung statue in Tachilek last month were released by Military Intelligence #24 on Friday (6 June), according to one of the former detainees. 

"All of us were asked what we knew about the bombblasts on 21 May" he said. "We were given shock treatments with live wires to extract information from us. Of course, we knew nothing and kept saying so until they were satisfied." 

One of the released inmates was Lt-Col Hsailet, 55, former aide to Falang, chief of staff of warlord Khun Sa, until his surrender in January 1996. 

Three of the suspects still remain at the MI cells however. They are Sai Tip, a former follower of Khun Sa; Awng Hsa, Sai Tip's secretary and Zanta, owner of Ashay Taing gas station in Tachilek. "I know he's innocent," said his close relative on the phone. "I hope they find it out soon." 

Meanwhile, reports of impending bomb attacks both in Mae Sai and Tachilek have so far turned out to be "plain rumors, just to keep us on edge," according to a Thai security officer. 

The township level border meeting between Thailand and Burma has been scheduled for tomorrow (10 June), according to another officer.