At Thailand | Bangkok Post: multimedia

Karen students play perform during a ceremony to open the bridge.

Soldiers and children in a Karen village.

Karen soldiers stand guard during the opening ceremony of a bridge at Toh Kaw Koe village where the KNU/KNLA Peace Council is based.

Maj-Gen Htain Maung, leader of the Karen National Union/ Karen National Liberation Army.

A group of ethnic Karen people who live opposite Ban Mae La in Tak's Mae Sot district join the ceremony to open the Toh Kaw Koe Bridge early this month. Leaders of the KNU/KNLA Peace Council preside over the opening of the bridge.

Soldiers participate in the inauguration of the bridge.

Christian Karen children at prayer in a church.

Christian Karen children at prayer in a church.

A feast is offered to visitors at the village.

Toh Kaw Koe villagers take a dip in a stream.

Young Karen will be groomed as fighters.

Karen soldiers play takraw during a break from duty.

Logging is a way to earn a living at Toh Kaw Koe village.

Karen villagers travel about in carts.

From left: an identity card, a work permit card and a soldier identity card issued by the KNU/KNLA Peace Council.

An elderly Karen woman at Toh Kaw Koe village.

Karen soldiers on security duty.