Myanmar to auction seized assets of 92 Thai detainees

RANONG, THAILAND, August 18 (TNA) - Myanmar authorities will auction seized assets of 92 Thai nationals who have been detained in a prison in Kawthaung province, opposite Thailand's southern seaside Ranong Province, after their cases are finalized. Officials of the Thai-Myanmar border coordination centre in Ranong told reporters Satruday that over 500 items of the Thai detainees' assets will be reportedly auctioned after their cases are finally-settled by the Myanmar court, with the auction revenue to go to the Myanmar's state coffer. According to the officials, relatives of the 92 Thai detainees will also be allowed to participate in the auction, the date of which will be publicly announced by the Myanmar authorities later. The 92 Thais were arrested on July 4 for allegedly encroaching into the Myanmar territory and farming without permit. Their assets, including cars, motorbikes, tractor trucks, backhoe loaders, mowing machines, radios and power generators were confiscated. (TNA)