Borderland villagers ordered to relocate

Borderland villagers ordered to relocate

Burmese military authorities across Chiangmai had recently issued an order for villagers in the area that had been the scene of fierce fighting in May and June to move out, according to sources from Wianghaeng, a district of Chiangmai. 

All civilian residents were told on 25 July to resettle in Nakawngmu, roughly a hundred miles away by the end of the month. In addition they were to arrange their own transportation. As a result, most of them had to walk. "Military trucks on the way did not stop for us," said one who arrived at Nakawngmu, a village in Mongton Township opposite Chiangdao District. "Fortunately, I had some friends among the UWSA (United Wa State Army), and one of them allowed our family to hitch a ride." 

Many of them spoke of leaving behind homes, property and livestock. "It was a world broken," said the source. "You wouldn't understand if you weren't there to suffer along with them." 

According to a Shan relief worker in Wianghaeng, there were 6 villages in the area: Pang Kamkaw, Pang Maisoong, Panghawk, Hwe Yao, Mongtaw and Monghta containing 218 households before the Shan State Army's attack on 20 May. 

"Only half of them managed to escape into Thai territory," he said. "The rest, after the fighting broke out, were not able to make it." 

More than a hundred households of refugees are still stranded in Wianghaeng, 160 km north Chiangmai. Thai authorities have confirmed they would be allowed to stay in Thailand until things returned to normal. "However, a permanent shelter for them is out of the question," said Adisuan Nanthachaiyaphand, Wianghaeng's District Officer. 
Asked by Bangkok Post if he talks between the two foreign ministers in Bander Seri Begawan covered the problem of Shan refugees, Burma's Win Aung merely replied, "(W)e talked on many, may subjects of mutual concern."
Shan refugees want third country to accept them

More than 400 Shans displaced by the fighting across Chiangmai two months ago and still stranded in Thailand have expressed desire to reside in a third country, after their request for a permanent camp was turned down by Thai authorities. 

Sai Leng, spokesperson for the 449 refugees, including 188 children and 148 women, who have been given temporary shelter in Piangluang Tract, Wianghaeng District of Chiangmai, told S.H.A.N. on Sunday it was the expressed wish of the majority asylum-seekers. 

"None of us dare to go back after reports of 4 of our villagers being killed and 12 of them detained and tortured by Burmese troops while the rest were ordered to relocate Nakawngmu (100 miles northeast of the border village of Pang Kamkaw, opposite Wianghaeng)," he said. 

The Shan State Army had invited them to set up a village near their Loilam stronghold, also across Wianghaeng, but most of them were skeptical of the SSA's ability to protect them, according to several refugees. "The SSA said we could leave our homes and things behind, following their seizure of Pang Kamkaw (on 20 May), where we could go back after the battle was over," said one. "We had believed them and the result was we lost everything when they withdrew (on 20 June)." 

The refugees have been staying at two temples in Nawngkawk and Banjawng villages since. They would be regrouped at Banjawng within the week, said Sai Leng. 

An official from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Bangkok, in reply to S.H.A.N. inquiry, said: "They certainly are entitled to apply for resettlement in Third countries, but whether or not their application will be approved rests both on the 'third country' and the Ministry of Interior (of Thailand)".