24 January 2000

Karen ‘God’s Army’ rebels seize Ratchaburi Hospital

Ten ethnic Karen guerrillas from Myanmar seized a hospital in Ratchaburi, and held 200 doctors, nurses and patients hostage until security forces stormed the building and killed the rebels.

Myanmar’s Karen tribe had fought for independence since World War II. The self-declared God’s Army faction of Christian Karens crossed into Thailand, hijacked a bus to Ratchaburi town and attacked the hospital. They were protesting about the Thai army’s alleged shelling of their zone, which the Karen claimed had killed 200 refugees. Bangkok denied the deaths.

The rebels rigged the hospital with explosives. Nurses held hostage said conditions had rapidly deteriorated for critically ill patients. About 40 security officers disguised themselves as medical staff and infiltrated the buildings.

The siege ended 24 hours later, when commandos stormed the hospital and shot dead all 10 rebels. Some witnesses said security forces executed the 10 by shooting them at point-blank range.

The 200-strong God’s Army was led by twin brothers, Johnny and Luther Htoo, aged about 13, who were not at the hospital. Each twin was believed to have a magical ‘black tongue’ and possess supernatural powers.

24 January 2000

Karen ‘God’s Army’ rebels seize Ratchaburi Hospital

Ten ethnic Karen guerrillas from Myanmar seized a hospital in Ratchaburi, and held 200 doctors, nurses and patients hostage until security forces stormed the building and killed the rebels.

Myanmar’s Karen tribe had fought for independence since World War II. The self-declared God’s Army faction of Christian Karens crossed into Thailand, hijacked a bus to Ratchaburi town and attacked the hospital. They were protesting about the Thai army’s alleged shelling of their zone, which the Karen claimed had killed 200 refugees. Bangkok denied the deaths.

The rebels rigged the hospital with explosives. Nurses held hostage said conditions had rapidly deteriorated for critically ill patients. About 40 security officers disguised themselves as medical staff and infiltrated the buildings.

The siege ended 24 hours later, when commandos stormed the hospital and shot dead all 10 rebels. Some witnesses said security forces executed the 10 by shooting them at point-blank range.

The 200-strong God’s Army was led by twin brothers, Johnny and Luther Htoo, aged about 13, who were not at the hospital. Each twin was believed to have a magical ‘black tongue’ and possess supernatural powers.