(Mizzima) – Two bomb blasts in Thachilek on the northern Thai border on Saturday killed a boy and injured five people during a high-profile golf tournament.
An entrance sign to Thachilek on the northern Thai border Photo: Wikipedia
The blasts occurred at an 18-hole golf course at the Regina Hotel and Golf Club about 2 kilometres from the Thai-Burma border.
Authorities on Sunday questioned two Thais who sustained injuries in the blasts, according to an article in The Bangok Post on Monday. No group has claimed responsibility.
Later, Burmese soldiers searched the Regina Hotel and defused two more bombs near the 17th hole on the golf course. They said more bombs may have been planted in the border town.
Border area militia groups that may have grudges because of the government’s peace talks with the Shan State Army (SSA) may have been responsible for the blasts, said Burmese authorities.
They said leaflets have been found in Tachilek Township and in Mae Sai District criticizing recent previous negotiations at the Regina Hotel between Chao Yodsuk, the SSA leader, and representatives from the Burmese government. On Sunday, Chao Yodsuk denied the group’s involvement in the bomb plot, the newspaper said.
“We and the Myanmar government are in the middle of cease-fire negotiations,” Chao Yodsuk said. “The talks progressed very well. I insist we still want to build reconciliation in the country through peaceful means.”
In January, Mizzima reported that taxes would no longer be collected by the Shan State Army (SSA) South, following the signing of a cease-fire and peace talks.
A Shan officer at the Loi Hsarm Hsip base, opposite Chiang Mai’s Fang District, told residents it is the first time that ordinary people will not have to pay taxes, the Shan Herald website reported.
On January 16, a Burmese government national-level peace delegation and the Shan State Army-South (SSA-S) signed an eleven-point peace agreement in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State. A preliminary cease-fire was signed in December. Details of the peace agreement are still being worked out.
Liaison offices will be opened in Taunggyi, Kholam, Kengtung, Mong Hsat and Tachileik, and trading offices will be opened in Muse and Nanhkan. The date to open offices was not disclosed.
The Shan State Army-South is one of the largest rebel factions.
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