In Kayin State’s Hpapun Township, the Tatmadaw’s strategic ambitions have re-opened conflict with the Karen National Liberation Army and brought back bitter memories for local residents.
The last food rations for more than 8,000 IDPs will run out at the end of September and many are apprehensive about government resettlement plans.
Hundreds of people live as squatters on a sliver of riverside land along the Myanmar-Thai border that is notorious for lawlessness and drug deals.
Lessons learned from Thailand suggest that strict environmental controls on Myanmar’s three big special economic zones will avoid serious pollution and public health problems in the long term.
