THAI security forces in Mae Sot district of Tak province, just across the border from a battle raging between Karen National Union and Myanmar junta forces since Dec. 15, sent word to the former to hold talks with the latter as they had suffered heavy damage, Sanook.com said yesterday (Dec. 30).
Thai sources said KNU Chairman Gen. Saw Mutu Say Poe was agreeable to holding talks with the Myanmar junta but mentioned that he was unable to direct the operations which has led to the protracted fighting from Dec. 15.
Thai security forces had mentioned that not only had the Myanmar junta forces suffered heavy damage Thailand too had been affected with thousands of refugees having crossed over to seek shelter.
It is estimated that over 10,000 Myanmar people had fled their homes as clashes raged and had either hidden in relatively safer areas or come over to Thailand.
However KNU’s head of Foreign Affairs Department P’doh Saw Tony said the impact of the fighting is now worsening but he had not heard that Thai officials had asked the two sides to negotiate.
Meanwhile in Mae Sariang district of Mae Hong Son province a safety drill was held at Ban Tha Ta Fang School to prepare the students for the possibility of fighting breaking out opposite this district in Myanmar.
The school’s director Sayan Phosuwan said teachers, students and troops from the 36th Ranger Forces Regiment had together built a bunker at the school in case of emergency.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Myanmar junta’s armed helicopters strafing a Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) position recently.
Home Page: A thick plume of smoke rises across the border in Myawaddy where clashes between Myanmar junta and Karen forces are taking place. Photos: Sanook.com
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