ABC News: AM
Refugees turned back on Thai-Burma border

Zoe Daniel reported this story on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 08:13:00

TONY EASTLEY: Thousands of Burmese who fled into Thailand because of fighting between Karen rebels and the Burmese Army have been told to go home by Thai authorities, despite continuing fears of more fighting. 

The conflict between rebels and government forces broke out on Sunday as Burma held its first election in two decades.

Southeast Asia correspondent Zoe Daniel is in Mae Sot on the Thai-Burma border.

ZOE DANIEL: At a makeshift refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border an announcement is made to thousands of displaced people.

(Thai spokesman talking)

"It's time to go home", the Thai spokesman tells them, "the Burmese army says it's safe now."

The refugees gather their things and make their way to the border on foot and on trucks, some less than 24 hours since they fled gunfire and shelling in their dysfunctional homeland.

(Monk speaking)

"I was so afraid and I was alone," this young monk tells me "all the other monks were away, I just ran away."

Have you been told to go back?

(Monk speaking)

TRANSLATOR: Yes

ZOE DANIEL: The fighting began on election day when part of the divided Karen army apparently attacked Burmese soldiers who were said to be forcing people to vote for the military junta's political party.

It was hardly necessary. The junta looks to have won 80 per cent of the vote after a campaign in which it banned the key opposition, intimidated candidates and allegedly stuffed ballot boxes.

Now there are warnings that rebels will fight back under a new alliance bringing six repressed ethnic groups together.

For the moment the Burmese army has taken control back on this part of the border. But while the displaced people packed up to go back to Burma they don't think the fighting is over.

(Woman speaking)

"We are in the middle" says this woman, "they are shooting all the time, we don't want to be trapped in the middle."

Queuing up to leave she says "I think there will be fighting, more fighting".

Loaded up with food and water from the Thai government, and carrying their belongings and their babies again across the river, heading home for now.

Further south parts of the border region have been declared war territory, and refugees who went back into Burma yesterday have already returned to Thailand.

On the Thai-Burma border this is Zoe Daniel reporting for AM.
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