April 26: A landmine explosion killed a Karenni refugee who left the camp to find honey. He belonged to Karenni camp I.

Baw Reh, who lived in quarter 16, Karenni camp I, Mae Hong Song district, northern Thailand, stepped on a landmine and was killed last Tuesday morning. He went to collect honey with three friends. His left leg was blown off when he stepped on the landmine,

“It happened at around 9 or 10 a.m. The four set out together but two separated,” his neighbour said.

“Two persons brought him back and the third person went to the camp and called for help. More people converged. By the time Baw Reh could be taken to the clinic in the camp, he died,” his friends said.

Four persons, including Baw Reh have been killed in landmine explosions in the area. The area is located on the Thai-Burma border and the Burmese Army units are stationed there.

It is the season for Karenni refugees from camp I to go out and search for honey because they can earn some money and use it for their consumption.

Many people go out to look for honey. They sell one bottle for 120 Bhat in the camp.

Karenni camp I is located in Thai territory near the Thai-Burma border. It is about two kilometers from the border. The area is a veritable danger zone. In the past, many people, who went searching for leaves for roofing their house, find vegetables and fish have been killed by landmines.

The Karenni refugee camp committee and camp security committee have given standing instructions prohibiting camp inmates from crossing the border. But some refugees have been crossing the border in search of leaves vegetables, meat, and fish.