IDPs allowed to regroup

IDPs allowed to regroup

Human Rights

Reporter: Hawkeye

More than 400 internally displaced persons (IDPs) opposite Chiangmai had recently been authorized by Thai authorities to relocate near another Shan rebel stronghold across the border, according to a local social worker who just returned from a Shan border base that was "shown the exit" by the Thai army last week. 

The relief worker said all the 84 people including children taking refuge near Loimon base, opposite the village of Laktaeng in Wianghaeng district, and another 174 near Loikham base, opposite the village of Kaenoi in Chiangdao district, would join the 182 people who are already at Loilam, another Shan State Army base opposite Wianghaeng district. The base is under the command of Maj Khieofah. 

The social worker also told S.H.A.N. that the SSA had finally decided to abandon Loikham (called Doikham by Thais) altogether after the Thai army demanded on 3 October that they withdraw from outposts projecting inside Thai territory. No reason was given as to why they elected to leave. 

The latest development left only five border bases fro the Shans, she said. (Re: Map, Shan rebels deny dealing in drugs, 6 October) 

"The good news is that we will be allowed to deliver relief assistance to this new IDP camp which is 3 km inside Shan State, after all have been transferred there," she added.