Tala Lawi : Three Pagoda Pass (TPP), Kyainnseikyi Township, Karen State – Yesterday, at 5 p.m., Thai authorities told the refugees to return home.
Burmese authorities also commanded the refugees to go back across the border to the Burmese side, but most refused fearing for their own safety.
“Yesterday, Thai authorities told the refugees to return home. Some went straight away that evening and some waited until this morning to cross the border. Other refugees have either chosen to stay with their relatives or move on to another village,” reported an observer at TPP.
Many refugees expressed worry that the fighting between the State Police and Development Council (SPDC) and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) would start again, so they refused to return to Burma.
“Now we are afraid and don’t want to go back because we don’t believe the authorities. When most of the TPP residents [Thai] return to town and open up their shops, then we will go back to the Burmese side,” said on the refugees.
For the refugees who decided to go back border authorities temporarily opened the main gate at the Thai-Burma border and allowed them through.
The Burmese Tactical Command has taken full responsibility for the refugees inside TPP, on the Burmese side, but after dark when the TPP Burmese residents and monks were standing sentry, the Burmese soldiers remained inside their military camp, reported one of the TPP residents who stood sentry.
