bkk post February 6, 1998. 33 long-

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

February 6, 1998. 33 long-neck Karens rescued

              Chiang Mai - Some 33 long-neck Karens, kidnapped so that
              they could be displayed to tourists, have been freed.

              Police rescued the hilltribe villagers, all women and children,
              when they raided Thana Farm in Mae Ai.

              Farm owner Thana Narkluang charged tourists 150 baht per
              person to look at the Karens.

              The villagers received 10 baht a day and were not allowed to
              leave the farm.

              Two of them are thought to have fallen ill and died at the farm.

              They were abducted from Ban Nai Soi camp in Mae Hong Son
              over 18 months ago, according to deputy governor Phayoon
              Meethongkham.

              Refugee camp officials are thought to have been involved in the
              abductions.

              A source said it would not have been possible to take the
              Karens out of the camps unnoticed, especially in view of police
              checkpoints on the route from Mae Hong Son to Chiang Mai.