Battalions of the DKBA and the Burmese army, also known as the Tatmadaw, have been reinforcing their troop numbers since early June and it is now estimated that about 9,000 armed soldiers—including an unknown number of porters—have amassed in strategic areas of Karen State in preparation for further military operations against KNLA Brigade 7, according to Karen sources.  

Kavi Chongkittavorn, a columnist with the Bangkok-based English newspaper The Nation, reported on Monday that the ongoing attacks against the KNLA near the Thai-Burmese border were “timed to create chaos among Thai decision-makers,” perhaps indicating that Thai policy makers would be kept busy with the influx of Karen refugees on Thai soil.           

In its current position as chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Thailand had rebuked the Burmese junta for its trumped-up charges against Burmese opposition leader Suu Kyi. Burmese state-run newspapers angrily responded by accusing the Thais of interfering in Burma’s internal affairs.

The Nation columnist added that the military onslaughts also seem to have been designed to “drive a wedge in Thai-Chinese cooperation on Burma.”  

Food, shelter, clothing and medical treatment are urgently needed as the Karen refugees could carry few belongings and are camped in the rain on the banks of the Moei River, with no proper shelter and little food. Some refugees are now hiding in jungle and will be at higher risk of diseases such as malaria as the rainy season commences.

Joint secretary 1 of the KNLA’s political wing, the Karen National Union (KNU), Maj Hla Ngwe, said that the offensive may be a part of a Burmese regime reaction to annoy Thailand. 

He said the offensive is a signal that the Burmese regime does not seriously want to negotiate with the KNU and sign a ceasefire agreement.   

David Thakapaw, the vice chairman of the KNU, said the offensive was a smokescreen to divert world attention from the trial of Suu Kyi.    

He concurred that the offensive was an indication that the Burmese regime does not want to talk about a ceasefire with the KNU.

However, Thakapaw said that the KNU was ready to fight against the Burmese army if the regime does not want to talk about a ceasefire agreement with the KNU and establish national reconciliation. 

In April, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya passed on a message to KNU leaders reportedly sent by Burmese Prime Minister Gen Thein Sein that Burmese authorities wanted to negotiate with the KNU.   

After meeting with the Thai foreign minister, KNU leaders reported to Kasit that they had agreed to meet with the junta’s representatives.   

However, there has been no further contact from the Burmese authorities since then, according to KNU sources.

Htay Aung, a Burmese researcher with the exiled Network for Democracy and Development, said the offensive would appear to be part of the Burmese regime’s military activities to pressure the KNU to disarm.  

“The Burmese regime does not want the KNU to be stable, because they think that the KNU is the leading player among the Burmese opposition groups in exile. So, they are always trying to destroy the KNU in any way they can,” he said.      

According to Karen human rights and relief groups, clashes between the armed factions occurred throughout the weekend of June 6-7, but started during the first week of May.

Poe Shen, the field director for the Karen Human Rights Group, confirmed that an estimated 3,500 Karen refugees had fled their homes and are now staying in Tha Song Yang district in Thailand’s Tak Province. 

Saw Steve, of the Karen relief group Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People, said the DKBA was aggressively arresting villagers in its controlled areas and forcing them to serve as porters during the fighting.

The most recent attacks were being launched by Burmese battalions under Light Infantry Division 22 and DKBA battalions 999, 555 and 333, said the Karen sources.

Hla Ngwe said that further attacks and further displacement of Karen villagers were expected."

Join us in keeping the Karens in prayer. To think that there are still so many suffering at the Burmese side, in the jungles, whose cries are heard by none. Hopefully when we go down next week we'd be able to bring relief supplies. Keep the team in prayer too, situation at the border has worsened overnight. Tense. Thai military tightening security, we're within 4km of the fighting, there have been incidences of strayed shots & many refugee camps and roads are inaccessible. 

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It's gonna take determination, commitment and extraordinary measure of love, that only comes from above. Instinct to run, instinct to let it past the shields of faith. Having faith isn't ignoring bleak situations. This just hardens the heart, freezes it over. Standing up under it, loving in spite of. Just like the way You love me. Knowing that You will come through in all your wisdom and love. Strengthen me God.

I miss 7!, they don't have to say anything sometimes. Just having them beside me is comfort enough. Walking through stmarg's before the meeting the other day. So many scenes came flooding back. Past the basketball courts where we used to hide from LimHA/ trash the class at basketball , through the canteen where we found bobby chew, into the parade ground jumping with our massive olevel banner/ singing with a guitar, looking up to see the hall- the corridors where we waited patiently between olevel papers, up the stairs past the podium- the morning devotions, in front of the office where Mr anothony was always loitering, catching rule-breakers, looking down through the sec 4 level- our beautiful garden, walking on towards sjcp- the laughter of our cf girls, the hours of meetings/ camps/ hanging out/ jamming. There's just so much i miss. You never know what you've got till it's gone. Partially at least, i hate not being able to see 7! every week day of the week. 

To-do-list: Revise BGRcamp flyer, Taipang's stuff.

Tomorrow: Shooting early in the morning, fly to church for playmax meeting, go over to mel's for gab's farewell. Oh tired sardines! ):

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Into Your hands, I commit again

All I am for You Lord

You hold my world in the palm of Your hands

And I am Yours Forever 

Jesus, I believe in You

Jesus, I belong to You

You're the reason that I live

The reason that I sing

With all I am 

I walk with You, wherever You will go

Through tears and joy I'll trust in You

And I will live, In all of Your ways

And Your promises forever