Reference: Burmese major and son flee into Thailand, Bangkok Post, October 4, 2007

It is reported that on October 3, Major Htay Win of the Burmese army crossed the river into Thailand to seek asylum because he was unwilling to participate in the massacre of Buddhist monks. The significance of this event is that it likely represents the crack in the armor of the junta that the international community may use to bring down the brutal military regime in that country. ASEAN's use of the word "revulsion" in describing events in Burma while at the same time carrying on business as usual with the military regime (ASEAN talks unaffected by Burma unrest, Bangkok Post, October 3, 2007), is a charade. If we really mean to help the people of Burma in this hour of need we must make it clear to them that we support them and we must call on the soldiers to not to kill their fellow citizens and their monks but to join with them in the liberation of their country. I know that ASEAN has investments there as well as energy supplies that must be protected for our own self interest but in the long run those interests would be best served by aligning ourselves with the people and not with a despotic regime that is on its way out.

Cha-am Jamal
Thailand