Bangkok Post News (21-1-99)

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Relocation plan shelved after protests Long-necked Karens to stay put as well

Cheewin Sattha 
Mae Hong Son

The province's plan to transfer 3,000 Karen refugees, including long-necked
Karens, to two refugee camps has been called off due to protests from tour
operators and farmers.

A source said provincial authorities had cancelled the planned relocation
of 3,176 Karen refugees in Ban Nai Soi, Muang district, to Pang Tractor and
Pang Khwai camps in the same district.

Many villagers and tour businesses wanted them to stay because the
long-necked Karens are popular with tourists. They also said they used the
Karens as cheap farm workers.

Almost 1,000 Karens are paid 50-70 baht each per day to work on garlic and
soy bean plantations by many Ban Nai Soi villagers. They say assistance
from non-governmental organisations seems inadequate to help the refugees
who are increasing in number.

There was also a lack of cash to fund the move since the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees had refused to help out, a source said.

Muang Mae Hong Son district chief, Somboon Benmart, said the planned
relocation had been motivated by fears of the refugees destroying forests
but they had later changed their minds.

In another development, 382 people fled on Saturday to Mae Hong Son after
an attack by Burmese troops on villages in Chador district, Doi Kor, in
Burma.