The evacuation route of these Lahu can be traced back to their previous location in Kiew Koh village, which was a part of the territory under control of Khun Sah. During childhood period, they used to live in Piang in Burma. When the Burmese officials charged them with higher taxation in 1977, they avoided paying the tax by moving across the border into Fang District, Chiangmai Province. While living in the boundary area of Fang District, they grew opium to earn a living. They lived in Fang for 12 years. During that time, sometimes they earned nothing because their opium was cut down by the Thai officials. Therefore in 1989, they moved back to Burma again in the area opposite to Mae Hongson. They spent 6 days walking from Fang to Burma and settled in Kiew Kor village, which was under the control of Khun Sah's faction.
At this location, their sons and daughters were able to go to school provided by Khun Sah. The teaching was conducted in Thai Yai language. Four years after that, Khun Sah recruited children for military training, preparing to fight against the Burmese army. In 1993, whenthere was also a rumor that the Burmese would launch a harsh attack on Khun Sah's ground, the Kulao Lahu decided to evacuate to Pang Mapah, Mae Hongson again. However, the Thai officals pushed them back into Burma. Because of the concern for their safety, they finally sneaked back into Thai territory again. This time they walked through the zigzaging rough mountain ranges for up to 4 days. One family lost their baby because of the hardship in the woods and rough terrain on the way.
Since the beginning of 1994, I have admitted 10 Kulao Lahu children to study in my school, located in a Red Lahu village, Pang Mapah District. The girl students studying with me are: Airme, Najor, Itair, Ilae, and the boy tudents are: Patae, Arsir, Buway, Jakar, Jakorpo, and Morsay. These kids are very shy, apprehensive, and less expressive. They barely talk to the teacher. After years of teaching and playing with them, they begin to feel more comfortable with me and begin to speak central Thai, al-though they cannot arrange the sentence gram-matically. This is not a critical problem for someone who opens his mind to accept other human beings. Living in a rough and remote area is not an easy thing for an inexperenced person. Similarly, teaching Thai language to Lahu children who have different language structure is also a complicated thing.
However, I still continue to teach and pay attention to them hoping that when they grow up, they will be good adults who feel grateful to the country and the King of Thailand no matter where they live. THE HIGHLANDERS