Thais told to avoid the Three Pagoda Pass into Myanmar
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Thais told to avoid the Three Pagoda Pass into Myanmar

The general view of a market at Three Pagoda Pass in Kanchanaburi province. (Bangkok Post file photo)
The general view of a market at Three Pagoda Pass in Kanchanaburi province. (Bangkok Post file photo)

Tourists have been advised not to across the border into Myanmar at the Three Pagoda Pass in Kanchanaburi in the wake of a hostage-taking incident at the weekend.

Sirun Boonsung, acting Sangkhla Buri district chief, said yesterday tourists should avoid the crossing for their own safety.

The Three Pagodas Pass is in Sangkhla Buri district.

The warning came after the Border Guard Force (BGF), a Karen security force, arrested 35 Thai tourists at a fresh market opposite the Three Pagodas Pass on Saturday morning in Payathonzu village, which is opposite Sangkhla Buri district.

The detained tourists were freed that evening and returned home safely to Thailand following negotiations between the police, military officers and local officials in which the BGF agreed to release them.

The detention was in response to a sting operation conducted by police from Thailand's Anti-Human Trafficking Division which led to the arrest of underage sex workers in Payathonzu on Jan 18.

Mr Sirun urged tourists to take a break from crossing the border pass to avoid any security risk for the time being, saying they can go shopping in places on the Thai side of the border.

However, Thai and Myanmar border authorities have not stepped up security, he said, adding the border is open as usual.

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