Thai police raid Karen organizations

Thai security agencies made surprise raids and checks on border based Karen social organizations on Tuesday morning.
Thai police and army started the search operation at 6 a.m. on Tuesday. They searched the houses of some Thai-Burma border based Karen leaders and pro-democracy NGOs.
"They searched 12 places today. But they have not replicated the operation at other places. I think this is their initial step and don't know what will happen next. As far as I know they are focusing on arms and ammunition during their search operation," Khai Mar Kyaw Zaw, editor of Mae Sod based Karen News, told Mizzima.
The rumour of the Thai search operation has been spreading over the last few days but most people did not expect it would happen as early as today. The Thai security agencies came with a detailed list of names, addresses along with photographs.
"We have heard that the Thai authorities would come and search our offices. But they haven't yet come to our office. We won't flee from our offices as we are not into any unlawful activities in Thailand," Hla Henry from Karen Internally Displaced Persons Committee said.
Security has been tightened ever since unknown assassins shot dead Karen leader Pado Mahn Sharlaphan at his residence in Mae Sod.
"I think after Pado Mahn Shar's death the Thai authorities do not want another killing on their soil so that is why they came to our offices and checked valid documents. If we can't produce valid documents to stay in Thailand, they told us that we should not stay here. I think this is the implicit warning given to us for our own security. Then we have to move to other places, we have no other way. This is my view of the current Thai operation," Pado Hla Ngwe, In-charge of KNU Information Department said.
But the people suspect there is some sort of pressure from the Burmese military regime behind the current operation.
"I see this is as pressure exerted on the Thai government by the Burmese regime because these organizations are revolting against the junta while staying on Thai soil. The junta wants the Thai government to expel us from the country. On the other hand, the Thai government does not want to rub the Burmese government the wrong way so it is exerting pressure on us in this way," Khai Mar Kyaw Zaw said.

Than Htike Oo
Mizzima News
March 25, 2008

Thai Army Raids Burmese KNU Group In Mae Sot

Thai Army Raids Burmese Opposition Group in Mae Sot
Thai soldiers, in the northern Thai city of Mae Sot, raided the homes of three top Karen National Union (KNU) leaders yesterday. The Thai troops entered the homes of KNU leaders Padoh Myat Maung, an administrator; Lt-Col Paw Doh; and KNU Commander in Chief Mu Tu.
General Mu Tu is believed to be on a hit list following the assassination in February of Mahn Sha, the KNU general secretary.
The Karen National Union maintains the largest and most effective army amongst the ethnic groups in Burma, staunchly refusing to enter into a cease-fire agreement with the Burmese generals.
The raid occurred after a recent visit to Burma by Thai premier Samak Sundaravej, to meet with the Burmese junta leader General Than Shwe. Burmese opposition groups leaders now fear Thailand is renewing a cooperation policy with the Burmese generals, that had been pursued by former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Terry Evans
Scoop NZ
26-03-08

Image: Paw Doh - Paul Keenan - KHCPS Archive

KNU raided by Thai police

Thai soldiers and police raided all the homes of the leaders of Karen National Union (KNU) early Tuesday morning in Mae Sot. They have warrants to search for the properties.
The Mae Sot police authority told the BBC that the police have been ordered by the army to search any illegal possessions in KNU leaders' residences.
They did not find any illegal weapons, Mae Sot's police chief said.
This is the very first time the KNU has come under heavy-handed approach by the Thai authorities for more than half century relationship between them and the Thai government.
The KNU leader, Saw David Taw said "It is the outcome of the Thai new prime minister's recent visit to Burma for the meeting with the Burmese government (SPDC)."

Audio report

BBC
25-03-08

Four Burmese soldiers defect to KNU

Discrimination, lack of promotion opportunities and employment benefits in the Burmese Army has caused desertions and defection to the Karen National Union (KNU), said four deserters.
 
Four Burmese soldiers deserted the Infantry Battalion IB No. 410 because they were discriminated against in the military camp, said the soldiers. They could not tolerate the maltreatment so they escaped from the military camp, they added.
 
The four soldiers arrived at KNU brigade No. 6 wearing Burmese Army uniforms on February 26, said KNU Captain Htat Nay in Three Pagoda Pass (TPP).
 
According to the Captain, the defectors are from IB No. 410, Zaw Min Tun (27) military identity 309279 with a MA4+79, Corporal Soe Tie Ha (24) MI 81887 with a MA1, Corporal Zan Tun Hlang (24) MI 127495 with a MA3 and solider Tein Min Hike (25) MI 321642 with a MAG-420 and a M79.
 
Corporal Soe Tie Ha was arrested and recruited by the army when he was only 14 years old and has been a soldier for 10 years.
 
"I think the soldiers look honest, they don't seem suspicious to us. Also, we gave 30,000 kyat to each solider because they joined the KNU," KNU Army Captain Htat Nay said.
 
The Captain said that the soldiers joined the KNU and wanted to fight the Burmese military government. Nine Burmese soldiers defected to the KNU last year while five soldiers joined this year.
 
"Many Burmese soldiers have been joining the KNU; however they have not betrayed the KNU," he added.


Mon Son
IMNA
12-03-08

Tormented Karen people trying to find peace

For decades the Karen people, the largest ethnic minority in Burma, have been fighting for independence. During that time, they have been subjected to brutal violence by Burmese soldiers.
Thousands have fled into the jungle and as many as 140,000 have relocated to nine refugee camps on the Thai-Burmese border. Many were born and spent their entire lives in the camps.
The total Karen population is estimated at 6 million to 7 million in Burma and about 400,000 in Thailand, according to karenpeople.org. Their roots are primarily in Karen State, an area of Burma demarcated into seven townships by the government, according to Human Rights Watch.
In 2006, in recognition of World Refugee Day, Ottawa started relocating about 800 Karen to Canada. In Toronto, community organizations have banded together to ease their transition.
About 200 have settled in the GTA, with many forming a community in an apartment complex on Jane St. near Steeles Ave. W. At least 200 more are expected to arrive this year.
With the interview arrangements and translation help of Wah Paw Lah, an outreach worker for Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services who studied at the University of Thailand and lived and taught school in a refugee camp, several Karen refugees talked about the lives they left behind and what they think about their new home and future. Access Alliance is one of several Toronto community groups that have banded together, dubbed the Karen Project Partnership Group, to ease their transition.
Eh Wah is 19 and spent most of her life inside a refugee camp.
She arrived in Toronto on June 18, 2007 and lives with her husband Moo Ray, 22, and their child Sae Kaen Kwee Pwai, about 16 months. Her husband received some schooling in the camp and both want to get more education in Toronto.

Mar 12, 2008 04:08 PM
The Star
Emily Mathieu

Eh Wah
Q: What has been the most surprising thing you have seen?
A: "The first time I went to a bank I was really surprised to see women working in an office just like men. ...
"When I first see them I think most are very sophisticated and have confidence in themselves....
"The women are very high tech and all use computers....
"When I see women who are educated I feel they are free women. If I have the opportunity to study child psychology and child minding that is what I would like to do."

Ma San Htoo
From age 7 to 14, Ma San Htoo hid with her family in the Burmese jungle, their only food whatever they could raise or catch. Her older sister, then 18, was killed by a land mine while trying to find her family. Her father had to bury her body in the jungle.
Now 46, she raised eight children in several camps, losing two more to malaria. She has been in Toronto since Nov 7, 2006.
Q: What is it like living at Jane and Finch?
A: "This area is infamous for killing but compared to my life before it's much, much better. So it's no problem for me.
"The jungle it was very dangerous so we were always moving place to place. We have to run all the time, looking around all the time for (Burmese) soldiers. ... If the Burmese soldiers see smoke they came.
"Everything is different for me here. ... Here I don't have to worry.
"The different things I like here is the snow. As long as there is no wind chill. So the snow is beautiful to me."

Ter Ri Say
Ter Ri Say, 23, was born in a refugee camp on the border of Burma and Thailand. He and his wife Ter Kaw Paw, 19, and child Htoo Htoo Paw Say (about 22 months) moved to Toronto on June 18, 2007.
Q: What are the biggest changes in your life?
A: "In the camp we have three seasons, rainy, summer and winter. Even in the winter we do not see the snow. ... In the camp it is really expensive to buy ice, but here it is everywhere."
"In the camp, we grow our own food. Here we have no space to grow the plants. ... Here there are many varieties of products. Most I have not seen before. It is really amazing. ...
"Chocolate is very strange for me. I never tasted it in the camp."
"In the camp when I look around I just see leaves and trees. Here when I look around I see electric lights and buildings."
"In our community and culture we are very friendly. Even if we don't know each other we can spend time with each other.
"But in this city, I dare not even visit my neighbour and they have not visited me."

Mine blasts kill one, injure three in Yebyu, Ye Townships - New Light of Myanmar

Seven KNU terrorist insurgents with small arms opened fire on Ma Khin Wai of Pyinmatoe Village who was going to the garden nearthe village in Taninthayi at 8 pm on 24 February. She was injured in her left arm and right breast. She succumbed to the injuries on the way to Taninthayi Hospital on 25 February. U San Win of Hnankye Village in Yebyu Township stepped on a mine planted by terrorists in Hein Sel Creek, three miles east of Ye-Dawei Road on 26 February. He lost his right foot and was also wounded in his left one. He is undergoing treatment at the Kalein Aung Township People’s Hospital. Similarly, a mine planted by insurgents exploded in the forest, three miles east of Yindain Village in Ye Township on 26 February. Due to the mine blast, U Daung was killed on the spot and other two, U Hla Win and U Hoke Swan of the same village were wounded. They are receiving treatment at the Ye Township Hospital.

New Light of Myanmar
1-3-08