Death toll at refugee camp in Northern Thailand rises to 36

MAE HONG SON, March 24 (TNA) - Bodies of 36 persons -- 20 men and 16 women -- have been found so far from a refugee camp in the Thai border province of Mae Hong Son which was burned late Friday while officials continue to search for more victims, officials said Sunday. Smoke is still billowing from some of the burned makeshift houses at the camp in Khun Yuam district, posing obstacles to rescue officials in searching for the inferno victims while unhealthy refugees have to wear masks, officials said. A total of 36 bodies have been found and Christian funeral ceremony will be conducted and furnished within the same day, they said. There are about 3,000 Karen refugees staying at the camp which is one of the nine under the supervision of the Interior Ministry. Officials initially believed the fire was caused by either accident or forest fire. Mae Hong Son Governor Naruemon Palawat said a new refugee camp will be constructed on the same site in accordance with the refugees’ wish while concerned officials have been ordered to help provide assistance to more than 2,300 refugees who have been affected by the blaze. Officials of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees are now providing three meals a day to the refugees while necessities given by both the public and private sector have been dispatched to the refugees who have fled Myanmar due to fighting between the government forces and the rebels. However, transporting the necessities is extremely difficult due to the rough terrain and it has to be carried by small cars only. Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan is scheduled to inspect damages at the camp and consider ways to offer more assistance to the refugees Sunday afternoon. (TNA)