+2#RE: Tragedy in Thailand — Traci Wilberger2013-03-27 16:43
Breaks my heart Michael... Thank you for providing the website information for Free Burma Rangers... I will do what I can and forward the dispatch as well...
Sometimes pictures can say more than words themselves. I pray for everyone, those who died and those who are alive, living with the reality of what happened. My heart goes out to everyone...
What the hell did they cook? A napalm bomb? That is a huge devastated area!
The cookfire probably wasn't that big; it was most likely too close to or inside one of the huts. Bamboo is technically a grass and burns very hot once it gets going, then like any forest fire the wind spread it around. You wouldn't think it, but Thailand can get very dry even into the wet season. I was visiting a friend in Chonburi in the more humid south end of Thailand around this time of year when some tapioca farmers near his house tried to use fire to clear a nearby field of weeds. The fire got away from them and ripped through four acres of field in only three minutes.
It seems impossible that the natural construction materials could burn so fast as to trap and burn alive so many people. It would be very interesting to hear an educated speculation on how something like this occurs.
#RE: Tragedy in Thailand — Eric Smith2013-03-28 04:44
Oh my, from the looks of the destruction, I would've thought somebody set off a fuel air explosive on top of their village rather than a cooking accident.
It's very sad to see a tragedy like this, regardless of where it happens.
I was there yesterday the aftermath is greater than the photo's show. It was not a cooking pot fire that could have easily been put out. Burma soldiers have been doing this for years and over the last two month on china/Thailand border shooting automatic weapons on woman and kids and then dropping small chemical devices wiping out thousands. No where to run no where to hide. Same here they fire was covering hundreds and hundreds of acres hundreds in hospital, more than 1,000 people missing? about 90 dead and there are 206 families each with 5 family members all homeless and have nothing more than 500 kids with nothing except the ragged torn clothes on their backs.
I don't exactly mean this the way it sounds, but the semi-recent movie 'Rocky IV' with Sylvester Stallone concerned the plight of the Karen in Burma.
I'm not saying that a movie is a place to go and get news, but it was definitely an attempt by Stallone and others to bring some attention to what's going on there.
This is tragic I will not forget them I i will be going back again early next week just trying to get more funds together.
This wasn't a cooking pot fire 100% sure, it was not and unfortunate accident these poor Karen Hill-tribe people many Christians have been suffering persecution and torture for year by Burma military and for last last few month's attacks have happened daily on Katchin stats bordering China with Thailand they have been shooting automatic weapons at woman and kids from helicopter and small planes also dropping small chemical weapons on these desperate people who have no where to run, no where to hide.
You must pray for them Burmese soldiers do small scale quick in and quick exit air raids with camps on boarders frequently and thousands die because of it. last month USA president Obama warned them saying if they didn't stop the chemical weapons he would send in a special task force to stop them. We are waiting for you to send and do it quickly.
God bless these poor people. Finally it was not a cooking pot fire with the thousands of people in that camp and the fact that they have a river running through that camp there is more than enough people and water to put out a small house fire quickly. This was something bigger and reports by the refugee some fearfully said cooking pot, many said dropped from aircraft. I will leave that up to you to decide but in the end it really doesn't matter how, what matters is these people are suffering and need help fast.
#RE: Tragedy in Thailand — Cato the Elder2013-03-28 20:21
Michael, thanks again for your intrepid reporting. Glad to hear of the Free Burma Rangers. The various Karen tribes strongly resisted the Japanese in WWII and were critical to the success of U.S. Ranger ops in Burma.
#RE: Tragedy in Thailand — Tomatojuice2013-04-04 00:10
This is an unfortunate event. While living in the Twin Cities, MN, I have come across a few Karenni and they were great people as well as neighbors. I was wondering if you have an information about the story in Laos currently. Hmong leader, Moua Toua is in the Bangkok Thai Immigration Jail and is probably expected to be handed over to Lao Authorities. Any information would be greatly appreciated Mr. Yon.
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The cookfire probably wasn't that big; it was most likely too close to or inside one of the huts. Bamboo is technically a grass and burns very hot once it gets going, then like any forest fire the wind spread it around. You wouldn't think it, but Thailand can get very dry even into the wet season. I was visiting a friend in Chonburi in the more humid south end of Thailand around this time of year when some tapioca farmers near his house tried to use fire to clear a nearby field of weeds. The fire got away from them and ripped through four acres of field in only three minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdS0GCghw-A
It's easier to understand how people were trapped after watching this.
It's very sad to see a tragedy like this, regardless of where it happens.
and the MSM has no interest in them.
A coincidence I'm sure
I'm not saying that a movie is a place to go and get news, but it was definitely an attempt by Stallone and others to bring some attention to what's going on there.
This wasn't a cooking pot fire 100% sure, it was not and unfortunate accident these poor Karen Hill-tribe people many Christians have been suffering persecution and torture for year by Burma military and for last last few month's attacks have happened daily on Katchin stats bordering China with Thailand they have been shooting automatic weapons at woman and kids from helicopter and small planes also dropping small chemical weapons on these desperate people who have no where to run, no where to hide.
You must pray for them Burmese soldiers do small scale quick in and quick exit air raids with camps on boarders frequently and thousands die because of it. last month USA president Obama warned them saying if they didn't stop the chemical weapons he would send in a special task force to stop them. We are waiting for you to send and do it quickly.
God bless these poor people. Finally it was not a cooking pot fire with the thousands of people in that camp and the fact that they have a river running through that camp there is more than enough people and water to put out a small house fire quickly. This was something bigger and reports by the refugee some fearfully said cooking pot, many said dropped from aircraft. I will leave that up to you to decide but in the end it really doesn't matter how, what matters is these people are suffering and need help fast.
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