BKK Post, March 1, 1998 BORDER

[burma@xxxxxxxxxx]

March 1, 1998
BORDER

Burmese troops still entrenched on Thai soil
Talks with rangers make no headway
Subin Khuenkaew 
Mae Hong Son

Burma still refuses to pull back some 100 troops which have encroached 
on Thai soil in Pang Ma Pha district since Tuesday.

About 100 Burmese soldiers from the 525th Battalion who entered Ban 
Thong Na in Pang Ma Pha on Tuesday and Wednesday to follow more than 400 
ethnic minority people fleeing fighting between government troops and 
Shan State Army guerrillas into Thailand have yet to return to Burma, 
said a source from a provincial centre to control illegal immigrants 
yesterday.

According to the source, the Burmese are now more than two kilometres 
inside Thailand and only two kilometres from Ban Pang Yone and Ban Pang 
Khong where the Karen refugees have taken refuge.

Meanwhile, another source said some 200 rangers and local police 
yesterday negotiated with the Burmese soldiers but they still refused to 
leave Thai soil.

Mae Hong Son Governor Pakdi Chomphooming reportedly ordered officials 
concerned to attend a meeting to find out how to treat the refugees.

"The province must find out if all refugees have really fled from 
fighting. If so, they will be allowed to stay in that area until the 
situation (in Burma) is better," the source said.

According to the source, some non-government organisations have sought 
approval from provincial authorities to help the refugees and a decision 
will be made according to the outcome of today's meeting.

A provincial health official said a number of public health officials 
arrived at the two villages yesterday to help the refugees and found 
many refugees, mostly women and children, were suffering from diarrhoea 
and malaria.

Rangers from the Naresuan Task Force were sent there to ensure safety 
for the refugees, the official added.

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