BANGKOK, Aug 17 – Myanmar President Thein Sein pledged to take care of all 92 Thais being held for alleged land encroachment and possession of illegal arms and drugs and will delist the names of 13 Thai journalist and columnists from its blacklist imposed 11 years ago, the Thai defence minister said on Friday.
Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol broke the news after meeting with the Myanmar leader and discussing a wide range of issues during his two-day official visit at the invitation of his Myanmar counterpart to improve bilateral relations.
The minister told reporters after returning from Myanmar that he believed those being charged for drug possession would not face harsh punishment as the drug in their possession was marijuana, not heroin or methamphetamines.
Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol also said that the Myanmar authorities promised to revoke a blacklist with the names of 13 Thai journalists and columnists. Among them are Wassana Nanuam, a reporter for the English-language Bangkok Post, and Suthichai Yoon, a columnist and editor-in-chief of the Nation Multimedia Group. They had been banned from entering Myanmar for 11 years.
