Articles

Flooding caused by the Thauk Ye Khat hydropower project in Toungoo Township, Bago has stopped local villagers trading. The dam project finished on 13 October and has since block the waterways in the Toungoo Township area. Padoh Saw Eh Wah, the Karen National Union chairman in the Toungoo District told Karen News that the Platwa Bridge between Bawgali and Toungoo…

Karen community organizations, people and religious leaders in Burma have called for the Karen National Union (KNU) to resolve its internal conflict, unite and to continue its ongoing ‘peace-talks’ with the Burma’s government. Representatives from different Karen social organizations, individuals and religions leaders were meeting for the third time to discuss how they could help, contribute and support the building…

The Karen National Union is to hold a ‘special emergency’ meeting tomorrow, Thursday 25th October, to solve differences between two factions that have recently emerged that threatened to divide the KNU and de-rail ‘peace talks’ with the government. In an effort to reach an agreement between the two factions, KNU leaders, including both sides, met for two days earlier this…

As many as a thousand people turned out to pay their last respects at Padoh Saw David Taw’s funeral which was held at Thay Bay Hta in the Karen National Union 7th brigade. The crowd included David Taw’s family, officials from KNU and KNLA, Padoh Saw Ah Toe, Padoh Saw Roger Khin, Padoh Saw Thaw Thi Bwe, Padoh Kwe Htoo…

Pyaw Pyo villagers claim polluted water from the Heinda Mine, in the Dawei District in southern Burma, has made their lives unbearable. Daw Aye Ye, from Pyaw Pyo village told Karen News. “My house is flooded and all of my plantation is gone. My well that I used to use is now ruined and I have to dig for water…

Small girls and boys in a variety of traditional Karen costumes – girls wear striped, white, blue and yellow dresses, while boys wear red. It is Saturday morning and the children gather in front of their wooden school, a basic structure that lacks walled classrooms. The children are primarily students. On normal schooldays the students wear a uniform of white…

Padoh David Taw, a Karen leader, died tonight at 10:30pm in Mingalardon military hospital in Rangoon. Padoh David Taw, aged 65, passed away after suffering from a long illness. The Burma government tonight (Sunday) will fly by helicopter, Padoh David Taw’s body to Karen State. On Monday morning, the Karen National Union will take Padoh David Taw’s body to their…

An attempt to reunify a recent division in the Karen National Union has made marked progress this week when both sides agreed to talk. Karen people and community-based-organizations around the world were shocked to read in the media that three KNU leaders had breached the political organizations ‘peace-talks’ protocols and were negotiating independently with the Burma government. Tension among the…

Bad weather has closed schools and is making life miserable for residents in Umphiem Mai refugees camp that is located on the Thai side of the border with Burma. Refugee camp residents say October has been a bad month for them. Heavy rain, strong winds and dense fog has made it hard for refugees living in Umphien Mai camp, in…

Since the beginning of October the Burma military has started a major crack down on motorbike smugglers crossing over from Thailand. Burma Army officials in the Dawei area of Tanintharyi Division have been arresting and stopping all smuggling and possession of unlicensed motorbikes brought from Thailand since the beginning of the month. Sources close to Thai army told Karen News…