The refugees – who had fled fighting in Kayah state 27 years ago and had been living at the Ban Mai Nai Soi camp in Muang Mae Hong Son – returned home voluntarily. They were sent across the border via the traders’ checkpoint in Ban Huai Ton Nun in Khun Yuam district. They followed an initial group of 71 refugees repatriated in October 2016 and 73 others sent home via Tak on Monday. The Ban Mai Nai Soi refugee camp now holds about 8,000 people, down from a peak of more than 20,000. A source at the camp said the latest group of 19 people should have numbered 29, but the others changed their mind following a report about Myanmar government light infantry being deployed to Kayah in mid-April.

Source: The Nation Bangkok May 08, 2018 05:15 UTC