Security Stepped up Along Thai-Lao Border as Clash EruptsSecurity measures have been escalated along the Thai-Lao border, after over 100 Lao armed men seized a customs checkpoint across Sirindhorn district of Thailand's northeastern province of Ubon Rachathani, and clashed with government troops, leading to reportedly five dead and several injured, the Thai News Agency (TNA) reported Monday.More Thai security officers had been deployed with more-frequent surveillance after 26 of the Lao armed dissidents escaped into the Thai territory and was arrested by Thai officers, said the report. Some injured dissidents were sent to a nearby Thai hospital in Ubon Rachathani province, it added. The armed dissidents, stormed a local customs checkpoint, known as the Wang Tao Checkpoint across Sirindhorn district at around 03:00 a.m. on Monday. After a 20-minute clash with officers at the checkpoint, the dissidents seized the customs station. They were, however, surrendered by government troops at around 08:00 a.m. after a 20-minute clash, causing five dead and several other injured, according to the report. Cross-travelling and border trade along the area have reportedly been suspended temporarily since early Monday morning for the sake of the public's safety. |
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