BKK Post, March 8, 1998. LONG-NECK

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

March 8, 1998.  LONG-NECK KARENS

              Refugees sent to
              camp

              Mae Hong Son

              Agroup of 33 long-necked Karen villagers has been sent back
              to a refugee camp here for a reunion with their families and
              friends after three years of separation, police said.

              They had been abducted from the camp in the province and
              were recently rescued from a private farm in Chiang Mai's Mae
              Ai district where they were illegally detained to attract tourists.

              Immigration police said yesterday they will cooperate with
              provincial authorities in arranging the deportation of these
              villagers to Burma.

              However, police said seven of them will remain in their custody
              as witnesses as they are preparing to take legal action against the
              farm owners for illegal detention.

              Meanwhile, the farm owners have reportedly hired Thai Karen
              villagers to pose as long-necked Karens to keep the business
              going.

              The provincial authorities here said yesterday the province will
              not promote any tourist business which violates human rights.