Ejected villagers take refuge in Thailand

Ejected villagers take refuge in Thailand

Hundreds of villagers who had been removed from their villages across Chiangrai Province have been arriving in Thailand since last week, said sources from the border.

At least 600 villagers, most of them Shans and Akhas, from village tracts east of Monghsat Township have arrived at Therdthai Tract, Mae Fah Luang District, Chiangrai Province since 27 March. "Burmese (military) officers said they didn't trust us, "said a villager from Mongkarn Tract. "Our crime was that we're Shans".

Local Thai authorities have given temporary refuge near Phyaphrai village in Therdthai Tract. "We hope we are not driven back in a hurry, because we won't be able to go back to our old homes and farms," said another from Nayao Tract. "They have been taken over by the Wa."

According to Shan State Army sources, the Wa resettlement program has stopped since hostilities broke out in February.

Shan and junta forces have been facing off each other across Chiangrai since and, according to a Thai intelligence source, the latter was feeling uneasy about having a Shan populace in their rear. "It is part of their classic Four Cuts campaign," he said.

The Four Cuts strategy aims at cutting food, funds, intelligence and recruits by the local villagers to the resistance.
"More are expected to be coming," added the source.