The Situation of the Refugees at Th

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The situation of the refugees at Thai-Burma borders
6 March 1998

Burma Army is reinforcing its forces which had intruded into Thailand at a
place northeast of Mae Hong Son province.
	Burma Army had intruded two kilometers into Thailand near a village called
Pang Yon which is 83 kilometers from Mae Hong Son provincial town, and now
has been reinforced up to 350-400 men.
	According to the information received on March 6, 70-80 men from the Burma
Army battalion number 278, led by Major Sein Lwin came and stationed his
forces at a place north of Pang Yon village one kilometer away from it.
Major Khin Maung Nyo led his infantry battalion number 332 numbering
100-120 men came into the Thai village called Mai Kai Long which is 6
kilometers northeast of Pang Yon village and stationed there. Major Han
Aung Min led his battalion number 422, numbering between 150-200 men
intruded into a Thai village called Tong Na, 10 kilometers south of Pang
Yon village and stationed there. The Burmese military junta's forces
mentioned above are patrolling and laying mines along the borders inside
Thailand to prevent cross border trade and communication.
	200 Burmese military junta's forces intrusion into Thailand was the result
of fighting between SSA and junta's forces on February 12-13 and when 500
of the Tai, Palaung and Pa-O people took refuge in Thailand. There were
only 30-40 Thai security forces stationed at the border. Thai authorities
had demanded their withdrawal from Thailand repeatedly. The military junta
in Rangoon ignored the repeated Thai demand and reinforced its troops
stationed inside Thailand instead. Presently, Thailand has not responded to
the reinforcement of the troops of the Rangoon military junta.
	The fate of the Shan refugees who are taking refuge at Pang Yon which is
situated near the Pung Yam village, Nar Pu Pom village circle, Pang Mak Pha
district, Mae Hong Son province is at stake. They are extremely in danger
of Burma Army atrocities. On February 27, the refugee arrivals increased to
457 at Pang Yon but at the time this report is written there are now only
400 left at the village. The reason behind this decrease was because of
lack of food, medicine, shelter, security and humanitarian assistance.
Therefore, some had sneaked deeper into Thailand. The refugees who are
still there have nowhere to go and they do not want to go back. The Burma
Army is threatening them with forced repatriation. Thai authorities are not
giving permission to the NGOs to help the refugees. Moreover, according to
the information "S.H.A.N." received, they even threatened the refugees with
forced repatriation.

Shan Herald Agency for News.
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Not intentional intrusion!!
6 March 1998

On 5 March 1998, Rangoon military junta's forces intruded into Ban Mae Aw
Own, which is situated two kilometers inside Thailand, Mauk Jam Pae village
circle, 45 kilometers north of Mae Hong Son provincial town. The Burma Army
troops comprising 15 men, armed to the teeth, ignored the Thai Flag which
is flying at the Thai Military camp situated at the village perimeter,
spread out into the village and rested there.
	The Thai camp commander stationed there, went to the Burmese forces who
intruded and demanded their withdrawal. The Burmese commander of the force
apologetically explained to the Thai commander there that they lost their
way and mistakenly intruded without intention. He then retreated from the
village but they are still patrolling along the border inside Thailand,
according to the information received from the local villagers.

Shan Herald Agency for News.