Jury Chai : Three Pagoda Pass (TPP) has been bombarded with refugees running from the conflict between Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), Battalion no. 907 and Burmese government troops [SPDC]. Thuzanabonkhay company and resident organizations have begun providing support for the refugees that have fled to the Thai side of the border.
While the fighting has displaced thousands of people, it has also created “trouble for the daily migrant workers [entering Thailand daily to work and returning to their homes in Burma after work], so we are helping them with foods and the water” said the supporting company.
This company has also committed to helping those refugees who are staying in the fields and different areas of TPP.
“Now the Thuzanabonkhay company is donating bags of rice, dessert, water and other supplies. Currently rations are running out, but many others have come here to donate,” said a member of Thuzanabonkhay.
Some of the ten thousand refugees who fled to the Thai side are now moving to other safe areas, like Sangkhlaburi, freeing up the already quite small area of TPP. This is a safeguard to the actual residents of TPP. The monks who were previously trying to protect the refugees on the Thai side are no longer capable of doing so, said a New Mon State Party (NMSP) member.
One resident who witnessed the refugees fleeing from the Burmese side has reported that many refugees are moving to the Japanese Well village in Mon State which is protected by the NMSP.
DKBA, Battalion No. 907 has informed monks living on the Thai side that the fighting will start up again shortly.
DKBA, Battalion No. 7 has combined with certain factions of the Karen National Union’s army the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the Karen Peace Front (KPF). These three groups are gathering together and once they arrive in TPP on the Burmese side, fighting will resume again, explained a source close to the KNU.
Major General Saw Le Pwe (aka Nakhamway) of the DKBA, is leading 500 soldiers to TPP, said a source close to the KNU.
