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BKK Post, March 29, 1998 . KAREN C



March 29, 1998 . KAREN CONFLICT 

Burmese troops mass near border

To protect towns from KNU attacks




Supamart Kasem and Yuwadee Tunyasiri

About 2,000 Burmese government troops have massed near the Thai border 
to protect towns in the area after Karen National Union rebels attacked 
and burned three pro-Rangoon Democratic Karen Buddhist Army camps.

The KNU attack on the camps opposite Mae Sot district of Tak on Thursday 
night left at least ten DKBA troops dead. It was in revenge for a series 
of DKBA raids on Karen refugee camps on Thai soil, said a border source.

The DKBA has pledged to continue raiding Karen refugee camps in Thailand 
and will retaliate if attacked by Thai forces.

Defence volunteers in more than 20 Thai villages have been put on 
full-alert for more cross-border raids.

Umphang district chief Charoen Singhayakul said on Friday that at least 
2,000 Burmese troops with the Southeastern Force had been deployed near 
Mae Tha Raw Hta, opposite Poeng Khoeng village in Tambon Mae Chan. This 
is about 80 kms southwest of Umphang town. The troops and supplies have 
been deployed along the Kyainseikkyi-Mae Tha Raw Hta road.

About 300 DKBA guerrillas, led by Capt Kana Mew, have also taken up 
positions in Sakantis, opposite Khlo Tho village, about 30 kms west of 
Umphang. They appeared ready to attack Nu Pho camp, said Mr Charoen.

And about 300 renegade Karen troops with the Karen Peace Force (KPF), 
led by Lt-Col Tue Mue Hae, are stationed in Htee Ka Pler opposite Nong 
Luang village in Umphang. Mr Charoen said they were poised to attack 
Nong Luang which has sheltered fugitive Burmese students belonging to 
the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF).

Lt-Col Tue Mue Hae used to be with the KNU under vice president Lt-Gen 
Saw Swe Chai but he broke away with a large number of soldiers and 
joined Burmese government troops in Kyaikdon early last year. This was 
during a suppression drive by Burmese forces who captured many 
Burma-based KNU camps in February and March, 1997.

Forces under Lt-Col Tue Mue Hae and Capt Kana Mew are likely to attack 
Nu Pho camp, the source said.

About 600 Burmese troops with heavy artillery are entrenched along the 
Moei river south of Myawaddy, opposite Huay Muang village in Mae Sot's 
Tambon Tha Sai Luad.

They are prepared for possible KNU attacks on government installations, 
shops and homes in Myawaddy.

On the Thai side about 10,000 villagers along the Thai border in Mae Sot 
are ready to evacuate if fighting erupts. Soldiers, local and border 
police and disaster relief volunteers with fire engines, are also ready 
to respond.

Tak governor Phongpayom Wasapooti inspected readiness in Mae Sot town on 
Friday night.

Mae Sot district chief Tawatchai Fak-angkoon told around 300 village 
defence volunteers: "With foreign forces massing along the border, we 
have to take precautions to provide people with safety." They will 
patrol with police and soldiers and Mr Tawatchai's home is being used as 
a communication centre.

National Security Council secretary-general Gen Boonsak 
Kamhaengrithirong said the interior and foreign ministries were working 
on solving the Karen refugee problem.

He said the refugees needed to be quickly moved to a safer camp and a 
new location was being considered. Gen Boonsak said the camps were 
currently too near the border.



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