Transporting health supplies in Thaton area has been more difficult during this period because of an increase in SPDC and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) operations, especially in the Pei The Kee and Kyat Kha BP areas. There has also been an increase in instances of forced labour, demands for goods and supplies, and forced recruitments in the area. Specific human rights abuses recorded by the BPHWT field workers include:
• On 30th June 2009, DKBA Battalion No 333 led by Bo Saw Than Mya Oo forcibly recruited villagers in Kwee Kalay and Noung K’Toe villages.
• On 10th November 2009, villagers’ crops in Pa Da Baw, Pi Ti, Bin Ban and Zee Gone villages were destroyed by DKBA Battalions 333, 777 and 999. This crop destruction was linked to the building of a new road.
• On 13th November 2009, one house from Pa Da Taw village was forced to move because the DKBA commander Saw Hpa Bi was building a new road.
• On 13th November 2009, Captain Hpa Bi from DKBA Battalion 333 forced villagers from Hti Gone, Pa Da Baw and Nya Su Wa villages to clear the bushes around the building of a new road.
• On 17th December 2009, DKBA troops, led by Kyaw Min, requisitioned 2 rice tins and 1 goat in Kya Taung village. On 5 December 2009, they also requisitioned 3 rice tins and 3 goats in Lay Kaw Htay and Htee Pa Doh Hta villages.