04.06.2009: 
Karen villagers seek refuge in Thailand. Irrawaddy
June 5, Irrawaddy
Karen villagers seek refuge in Thailand – Saw Yan Naing
More then 700 ethnic Karen villagers in Pa-an District in Karen State in eastern Burma have fled to Thailand in fear of more clashes between Karen troops and breakaway Karen armed groups and the Burmese army, according to Karen sources.
Karen relief and human rights organizations said that the exodus to Thailand started on June 1 after clashes between the Burmese army and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), a breakaway group, began with troops of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA).
Villagers fled to avoid the violence and to escape from being used as “minesweepers” or as forced labor as military porters during the fighting, said Karen sources.
Joint Burmese and DKBA soldiers attacked KNLA Brigade 7 multiple times in early June. The latest fighting was on Thursday.
Brig-Gen Johnny, the commander of Brigade 7, told The Irrawaddy on Thursday that Burmese army and DKBA troops are reinforcing for more attacks. He confirmed that the recent attacks were launched by Burmese battalions under Light Infantry Division 22 and DKBA Battalion 999.
Karen refugees are now staying in Ta Song Yang District in Tak Province in Thailand, according to the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG).
Poe Shen, a field director for the KHRG, said the fleeing villagers include residents of See Poh Kee village, Mae Lah Ah Kee village and Mae Lah Ah village in Pa-an District.
Poe Shen said it is risky for Karen refugees to stay in the internally displaced persons camp, Ler Per Her, on the Thai border because the camp is located near KNLA Battalion 101, 21 and 22. The camp houses more than 1,200 people from Pa-an District.
Saw Steve of the Karen relief group, the Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People, said that more villagers will flee to the border if the fighting continues.
Meanwhile, KNLA soldiers launched two guerrilla-style attacks on Burmese troops on June 2-3 and planted landmines. Eight Burmese soldiers were injured and five were killed in the attacks, according to a KHRG report.
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