The wife and children of the commander the Arakan Army have been granted asylum in Switzerland after being detained in Thailand since December last year, the Straits Times reported.

Ms Hnin Zar Phyu, who is married to Major-General Tun Myat Naing, was detained in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai along with their 11-year-old daughter and 11-month-old son on Dec 4 by Thai authorities. Officials said then that she was being probed for illegal entry after her passport was revoked.

Contacted on Feb 26, Arakan Army spokesman Khaing Thuka told the Straits Times that the trio had already reached Switzerland.