BKK Post,April 1, 1998. Renegade Ka

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April 1, 1998. Renegade Karens torch market
                      Cheewin Sattha Mae Hong Son

Suspected Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) guerrillas torched a 
market in Ban Mae Sam Lab of Sop Moei district yesterday.

An unidentified number of armed foreign fighters reportedly crossed the 
Salween River into Ban Mae Sam Lab in Sop Moei District at 1 p.m. 
yesterday and torched a restaurant in Ban Mae Sam Lab Market.

Fanned by strong winds, the blaze quickly spread and destroyed more than 
100 houses and living quarters of rangers and border officials and 
buildings of a public health station.

It took villagers, soldiers, local police and officials more than five 
hours to put out the fire.

The cost of damage was initially estimated at no less than 10 million 
baht.

A border official said the fire might have been caused by an arson 
attack by a group of DKBA guerrillas who had earlier been arrested by 
Thai rangers on border intrusion charges.

According to the source, some Kayah Karens warned Thai border officials 
on Sunday that DKBA troops would soon stage sabotage activities in 
border areas of Mae Sariang and Sop Moei districts.

The source said he believes the DKBA was planning to attack the Ban Mae 
La Ma Luang and Ban Mae Kong Kha refugee camps which house more than 
10,000 Karens.

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