The military is beginning the repatriation of 161 Karen refugees from Tak back to Burma as planned, despite a protest by human rights groups, Col Noppadol Vacharachitbovorn said on Friday.The commander of the 35th Rangers Task Force Regiment said he had instructed his troops  help the Karen refugees  move across the Moei river, which divides Thailand and Burma, to a Burmese village opposite Ban Nong Bua and Ban Mae Usuthae in tambon Mae Usu of Tha Song Yang district.

He said the refugees wanted to return home because there had been no fighting between Burmese troops and minority groups on the Burmese side of the river for some time.

More than 3,000 Karen fled the fighting across the Moei river to Ban Nong Bua and Ban Mae Usutha on June 2 last year.

About 1,500 of them had already returned to their home country voluntarity and the rest would gradually be repatriated, Col Noppadol said.

About 40 local and international human rights groups on Thursday sent an open letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva asking him to stop the repatriation of the Karen refugees.

They said the refugees would be at risk in their home village because of landmines.