After days of speculation over the fate of Myanmar Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyunt, the country's official media announced that he was permitted to retire for health reasons. The reasons given were usual for someone who had been removed from the inner circle.

Earlier the Thai government had said Myanmar's prime minister was removed on charges of corruption and put under house arrest and that his two sons were detained. The elder son is a light infantry commander. The younger son, Ye Naing Oo, runs Bagan Cyber Tech, the only Internet provider in Myanmar. Recently, part of a Thai government loan to Myanmar went toward expanding Naing Oo's business. Several intelligence officers were arrested, too.

Nothing unusual in Myanmar is expected as a result of the arrests and removals. It's routine business. The most powerful and cunning will overpower a suspicious subordinate. Although Khin Nyunt served as a protege of former ruler Ne Win, his appointed border-security officers had become corrupt. People who conduct border trade were glad to see them removed earlier this month. According to rumors, authorities seized large amounts of jade, narcotics and other valuables intended for smuggling at the border.