Meow, 6, an ethnic Karen girl whose family is originally from Myanmar, gets tested to ensure a malaria bug she caught a month ago is no longer in her system at malaria clinic in Sai Yoke district, Kanchanaburi Province October 26,2012. Globally, 3.3 billion people are at risk of malaria infection. While Africa has the highest malaria burden, most the 46,000 deaths outside Africa occurred in Asia Pacific. There are also concerns over a growing parasite resistance. Studies and research show artemisinin-based therapies - currently the most effective treatment against malaria - are taking longer to cure some of the patients. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND - Tags: POLITICS HEALTH) 

A long-neck Karen hill tribe woman sits with her daughter as she waits for customers at her shop in Chiang Mai province, north of Bangkok October 2, 2012. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND - Tags: SOCIETY BUSINESS) 

A long-neck Karen hill tribe girl looks on as she prepares souvenirs for customers at her shop in Chiang Mai province, north of Bangkok October 2, 2012. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND - Tags: SOCIETY BUSINESS) 

A long-neck Karen hill tribe girl prepares souvenirs as she waits for customers at her shop in Chiang Mai province, north of Bangkok October 2, 2012. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND - Tags: SOCIETY BUSINESS) 

Mar Jane (R), 15, an ethnic Padaung working as receptionist at a gift shop and another Padaung woman pose at a gift shop at Inle Lake October 5, 2011. The Padaung is one of the ethnic minorities of Myanmar and women wear copper neck rings from the age of nine. They wear 14 rings at nine, 19 rings at 14-years-old and 25 rings at 19. Inle Lake, Myanmar's second largest lake, is located 2,980 feet (908 metres) above sea level at Shan Hills and is one of the country's most popular tourist sites. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun (MYANMAR - Tags: SOCIETY) 

An ethnic Karen refugee boy crosses the river running through the Mae La refugee camp outside Mae Sot near the Thailand-Myanmar border October 14, 2010. Ethnic Karen refugees continue to pour into Thailand, fleeing decades-long fighting between Karen rebels and Myanmar government troops and its guerrilla allies. Some 140,000 refugees live in official camps along the Thailand-Myanmar border, according to the U.N. refugee agency, and there are concerns that hostilities in the hills of eastern Myanmar could intensify as a result of a refusal of several ethnic political groups to take part in an election next month. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj (THAILAND - Tags: SOCIETY) 

Ethnic Karen novice Buddhist monks from Myanmar attend a class in their monastery in Mae La refugee camp outside Mae Sot near the Thai-Myanmar border October 14, 2010. Ethnic Karen refugees continue to pour into Thailand, fleeing decades-long fighting between Karen rebels and Myanmar government troops and its guerrilla allies. Some 140,000 refugees live in official camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, according to the U.N. refugee agency and there are concerns that hostilities in the hills of Eastern Myanmar could intensify as a result of a refusal of several ethnic political groups to take part in an election next month. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj (THAILAND - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION CONFLICT) 

Ethnic Karen refugees from Myanmar walk at the Mae La camp outside Mae Sot near the Thai-Myanmar border October 14, 2010. Ethnic Karen refugees continue to pour into Thailand, fleeing decades-long fighting between Karen rebels and Myanmar government troops and its guerrilla allies. Some 140,000 refugees live in official camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, according to the U.N. refugee agency and there are concerns that hostilities in the hills of Eastern Myanmar could intensify as a result of a refusal of several ethnic political groups to take part in an election next month. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj (THAILAND - Tags: CONFLICT SOCIETY) 

An ethnic Karen novice monk from Myanmar looks out of a window of a monastery in Mae La refugee camp outside Mae Sot near the Thai-Myanmar border October 14, 2010. Ethnic Karen refugees continue to pour into Thailand, fleeing decades-long fighting between Karen rebels and Myanmar government troops and its guerrilla allies. Some 140,000 refugees live in official camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, according to the U.N. refugee agency and there are concerns that hostilities in the hills of Eastern Myanmar could intensify as a result of a refusal of several ethnic political groups to take part in an election next month. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj (THAILAND - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION CONFLICT) 

Ethnic Karen novice monks from Myanmar attend a class in their monastery in Mae La refugee camp outside Mae Sot near the Thai-Myanmar border October 14, 2010. Ethnic Karen refugees continue to pour into Thailand, fleeing decades-long fighting between Karen rebels and Myanmar government troops and its guerrilla allies. Some 140,000 refugees live in official camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, according to the U.N. refugee agency and there are concerns that hostilities in the hills of Eastern Myanmar could intensify as a result of a refusal of several ethnic political groups to take part in an election next month. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj (THAILAND - Tags: SOCIETY CONFLICT RELIGION) 

An ethnic Karen novice monk from Myanmar attends a class in a monastery in Mae La refugee camp outside Mae Sot near the Thai-Myanmar border October 14, 2010. Ethnic Karen refugees continue to pour into Thailand, fleeing decades-long fighting between Karen rebels and Myanmar government troops and its guerrilla allies. Some 140,000 refugees live in official camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, according to the U.N. refugee agency and there are concerns that hostilities in the hills of Eastern Myanmar could intensify as a result of a refusal of several ethnic political groups to take part in an election next month. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj (THAILAND - Tags: SOCIETY CONFLICT RELIGION) 

An ethnic Karen vendor from Myanmar rests as she waits for customers at the Mae La refugee camp outside Mae Sot near the Thai-Myanmar border October 14, 2010. Ethnic Karen refugees continue to pour into Thailand, fleeing decades-long fighting between Karen rebels and Myanmar government troops and its guerrilla allies. Some 140,000 refugees live in official camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, according to the U.N. refugee agency and there are concerns that hostilities in the hills of Eastern Myanmar could intensify as a result of a refusal of several ethnic political groups to take part in an election next month. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj (THAILAND - Tags: SOCIETY CONFLICT) 

An ethnic Karen woman from Myanmar carries her child as she walks through a market at the Mae La refugee camp outside Mae Sot near the Thai-Myanmar border October 14, 2010. Ethnic Karen refugees continue to pour into Thailand, fleeing decades-long fighting between Karen rebels and Myanmar government troops and its guerrilla allies. Some 140,000 refugees live in official camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, according to the U.N. refugee agency and there are concerns that hostilities in the hills of Eastern Myanmar could intensify as a result of a refusal of several ethnic political groups to take part in an election next month. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj (THAILAND - Tags: SOCIETY CONFLICT) 

Ethnic Karen children from Myanmar play on the hill overlooking the Mae La camp outside Mae Sot near the Thai-Myanmar border October 14, 2010. Ethnic Karen refugees continue to pour into Thailand, fleeing decades-long fighting between Karen rebels and Myanmar government troops and its guerrilla allies. Some 140,000 refugees live in official camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, according to the U.N. refugee agency and there are concerns that hostilities in the hills of Eastern Myanmar could intensify as a result of a refusal of several ethnic political groups to take part in an election next month. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj (THAILAND - Tags: SOCIETY CONFLICT) 

An ethnic Karen novice Buddhist monk from Myanmar attends a class in a monastery at the Mae La refugee camp outside Mae Sot near the Thai-Myanmar border October 14, 2010. Ethnic Karen refugees continue to pour into Thailand, fleeing decades-long fighting between Karen rebels and Myanmar government troops and its guerrilla allies. Some 140,000 refugees live in official camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, according to the U.N. refugee agency and there are concerns that hostilities in the hills of Eastern Myanmar could intensify as a result of a refusal of several ethnic political groups to take part in an election next month. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj (THAILAND - Tags: CONFLICT SOCIETY) 

An ethnic Karen boy from Myanmar stands in front of a board at the school in the Mae La refugee camp outside Mae Sot near the Thai-Myanmar border October 14, 2010. Ethnic Karen refugees continue to pour into Thailand, fleeing decades-long fighting between Karen rebels and Myanmar government troops and its guerrilla allies. Some 140,000 refugees live in official camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, according to the U.N. refugee agency and there are concerns that hostilities in the hills of Eastern Myanmar could intensify as a result of a refusal of several ethnic political groups to take part in an election next month. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj (THAILAND - Tags: SOCIETY CONFLICT EDUCATION IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

An ethnic Karen child and his mother sit inside a stilted house in Mae La camp, near the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Sot district, Tak province, 600 km (373 miles) north of Bangkok July 22, 2008. Mae La camp is the biggest refugee camp in nine camps along the Thai-Myanmar border which accommodates 48,000 people who are mainly ethnic
Karens. It is about four kilometres away from the Myanmar border and existed since 1984 as a small settlement for ethnic Karens who have fled the biggest Myanmar army offensive. Picture taken July 22, 2008. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

An ethnic Karen cries in a cradle in Mae La camp, near the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Sot district, Tak province, 600 km (373 miles) north of Bangkok July 22, 2008. Mae La camp is the biggest refugee camp in nine camps along the Thai-Myanmar border which accommodates 48,000 people who are mainly ethnic
Karens. It is about four kilometres away from the Myanmar border and existed since 1984 as a small settlement for ethnic Karens who have fled the biggest Myanmar army offensive. Picture taken July 22, 2008. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

An ethnic Karen woman watches from a stilted house in Mae La camp, near the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Sot district, Tak province, 600 km (373 miles) north of Bangkok July 22, 2008. Mae La camp is the biggest refugee camp in nine camps along the Thai-Myanmar border which accommodates 48,000 people who are mainly ethnic
Karens. It is about four kilometres away from the Myanmar border and existed since 1984 as a small settlement for ethnic Karens who have fled the biggest Myanmar army offensive. Picture taken July 22, 2008. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

Ethnic Karen are seen in Mae La camp, near the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Sot district, Tak province, 600 km (373 miles) north of Bangkok July 22, 2008. Mae La camp is the biggest refugee camp in nine camps along the Thai-Myanmar border which accommodates 48,000 people who are mainly ethnic
Karens. It is about four kilometres away from the Myanmar border and existed since 1984 as a small settlement for ethnic Karens who have fled the biggest Myanmar army offensive. Picture taken July 22, 2008. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

An ethnic Karen man weaves a bamboo basket at a stilted house in Mae La camp, near the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Sot district, Tak province, 600 km (373 miles) north of Bangkok July 22, 2008. Mae La camp is the biggest refugee camp in nine camps along the Thai-Myanmar border which accommodates 48,000 people who are mainly ethnic
Karens. It is about four kilometres away from the Myanmar border and existed since 1984 as a small settlement for ethnic Karens who have fled the biggest Myanmar army offensive. Picture taken July 22, 2008. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

An ethnic Karen woman watches from behind the bamboo walls of a stilted house in Mae La camp, near the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Sot district, Tak province, 600 km (373 miles) north of Bangkok July 22, 2008. Mae La camp is the biggest refugee camp in nine camps along the Thai-Myanmar border which accommodates 48,000 people who are mainly ethnic
Karens. It is about four kilometres away from the Myanmar border and existed since 1984 as a small settlement for ethnic Karens who have fled the biggest Myanmar army offensive. Picture taken July 22, 2008. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

An ethnic Karen student walks in Mae La camp, near the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Sot district, Tak province, 600 km (373 miles) north of Bangkok July 22, 2008. Mae La camp is the biggest refugee camp in nine camps along the Thai-Myanmar border which accommodates 48,000 people who are mainly ethnic
Karens. It is about four kilometres away from the Myanmar border and existed since 1984 as a small settlement for ethnic Karens who have fled the biggest Myanmar army offensive. Picture taken July 22, 2008. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

An ethnic Karen student learns English at a school in Mae La camp, near the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Sot district, Tak province, 600 km (373 miles) north of Bangkok July 22, 2008. Mae La camp is the biggest refugee camp in nine camps along the Thai-Myanmar border which accommodates 48,000 people who are mainly ethnic
Karens. It is about four kilometres away from the Myanmar border and existed since 1984 as a small settlement for ethnic Karens who have fled the biggest Myanmar army offensive. Picture taken July 22, 2008. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

Members of the Karen National Union (KNU) dance during the 59th anniversary of Karen Revolution Day at the Thay Bay Hla in Karen state along the Thai-Myanmar border January 31, 2008. The group has been fighting for autonomy from the Myanmar government in Rangoon since the end of World War Two. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (MYANMAR) 

A Karen National Union (KNU) soldier stands guard during the 59th anniversary of Karen Revolution Day at Thay Bay Hla in Karen state along the Thai-Myanmar border January 31, 2008. The group has been fighting for autonomy from the Myanmar government since the end of World War Two. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (MYANMAR) 

Ethnic Karen children stare out from behind the bamboo bars of a stilted house at a refugee camp in Myanmar's Karen state, near the border with Thailand, June 6, 2007. Thailand has denied entry to 250 ethnic Karen refugees from Myanmar who said they had fled attacks by soldiers from the ruling military junta, Reuters witnesses and a refugee leader said on Thursday. Picture taken June 6, 2007. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND) 

An ethnic Karen girl stares out from a boat while waiting for Thai authorities to let her into a refugee camp in Mae Hon Son province, north of Bangkok June 6, 2007. Thailand has denied entry to 250 ethnic Karen refugees from Myanmar who said they had fled attacks by soldiers from the ruling military junta, Reuters witnesses and a refugee leader said on Thursday. Picture taken June 6, 2007. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND) 

An ethnic Karen child and his mother watch from behind the bamboo bars of a stilted house at a refugee camp in Myanmar's Karen state, near the border with Thailand, June 6, 2007. Thailand has denied entry to 250 ethnic Karen refugees from Myanmar who said they had fled attacks by soldiers from the ruling military junta, Reuters witnesses and a refugee leader said on Thursday. Picture taken June 6, 2007. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND) 

Ma-Pang (L), a 22-year-old Karen hill tribe woman, cleans the ring around the neck of her mother Ma-Nang at a village near Mae Hong Son province, north of Bangkok in this picture taken September 7, 2006. For the past two decades, hundreds of ethnic Padaung "long-neck" people from military-ruled Myanmar have enjoyed relative peace and security as refugees in the hills of northern Thailand.
But plans to consolidate three Padaung villages into a single refugee settlement are intensifying concerns among human rights workers about their exploitation as a tourist attraction.
Picture taken September 7, 2006. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

Ma-Wae, a 24-year-old Karen hill tribe woman, sits with her son as she waits for tourists at a village near Mae Hong Son province, north of Bangkok in this picture taken September 7, 2006. For the past two decades, hundreds of ethnic Padaung "long-neck" people from military-ruled Myanmar have enjoyed relative peace and security as refugees in the hills of northern Thailand.
But plans to consolidate three Padaung villages into a single refugee settlement are intensifying concerns among human rights workers about their exploitation as a tourist attraction.
Picture taken September 7, 2006. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

A Karen hill tribe woman relaxes in her house at a village near Mae Hong Son province, north of Bangkok in this picture taken September 7, 2006. For the past two decades, hundreds of ethnic Padaung "long-neck" people from military-ruled Myanmar have enjoyed relative peace and security as refugees in the hills of northern Thailand. But plans to consolidate three Padaung villages into a single refugee settlement are intensifying concerns among human rights workers about their exploitation as a tourist attraction.
Picture taken September 7, 2006. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

Long-neck Karen hill tribe woman stand in line at Huy Pu Kaeng village in Mae Hong Son province, north of Bangkok September 8, 2006. The long-neck Karen hill tribes have been living in this village for more than 14 years after fleeing Myanmar. Thai officials said the Burmese government have asked Thai authorities to repatriate the Padaung or long neck hill tribes to Myanmar. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

A Karen hill tribe woman walks at Huy Pu Kaeng village in Mae Hong Son province, north of Bangkok September 8, 2006. The long-neck Karen hill tribes have been living in this village for more than 14 years after fleeing Myanmar. Thai officials said the Burmese government have asked Thai authorities to repatriate the Padaung or long neck hill tribes to Myanmar. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

A Karen hill tribe woman sits in her house at Huy Pu Kaeng village in Mae Hong Son province, north of Bangkok September 8, 2006. The long-neck Karen hill tribes have been living in this village for more than 14 years after fleeing Myanmar. Thai officials said the Burmese government have asked Thai authorities to repatriate the Padaung or long neck hill tribes to Myanmar. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

A Karen hill tribe woman paints her nails at Huy Pu Kaeng village in Mae Hong Son province, north of Bangkok September 8, 2006. The long-neck Karen hill tribes have been living in this village for more than 14 years after fleeing Myanmar. Thai officials said the Burmese government have asked Thai authorities to repatriate the Padaung or long neck hill tribes to Myanmar. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

Tourists visit the Huy Pu Kaeng village in the Mae Hong Son province, north of Bangkok September 8, 2006. The long-neck Karen hill tribes have been living in this village for more than 14 years after fleeing Myanmar. Thai officials said the Burmese government have asked Thai authorities to repatriate the Padaung or long neck hill tribes to Myanmar. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

Ma-Nang, 49, a Karen hill tribe woman prepares souvenirs at her shop in a village near Mae Hong Son province, north of Bangkok, Thailand September 7, 2006. The long-neck Karen hill tribes are one of many ethnic minorities living in the mountainous regions of Thailand's far north west. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

Ma-Sa, 30, a Karen hill tribe woman, plays an instrument with a French tourist at a village near Mae Hong Son province, north of Bangkok, Thailand September 7, 2006. Ma-Sa has been living in this village for more than 12 years after fleeing Myanmar. The long-neck Karen hill tribes are one of many ethnic minorities living in the mountainous regions of Thailand's far northwest. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

Ma-Poh, 58, a Karen hill tribe woman, rests while waiting for tourists at her shop in a village near Mae Hong Son province, north of Bangkok, Thailand September 7, 2006. Ma-Poh has been living in this village for more than 12 years after fleeing Myanmar. The long-neck Karen hill tribes are one of many ethnic minorities living in the mountainous regions of Thailand's far northwest. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

Ma-Pang, a 22-year-old Karen hill tribe woman, smiles as she waits for tourists at a village near Mae Hong Son province, north of Bangkok September 7, 2006. Ma-Pang who wears 24 rings around her neck, started with her first ring at the age of nine. The long-neck Karen hill tribes are one of many ethnic minorities living in the mountainous regions of Thailand's far north west. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND) 

A Karen man smokes a pipe outside his bamboo hut at a make-shift camp near the Salween River in Myanmar May 14, 2006. Over the last month, more then 800 ethnic Karen have fled the biggest Myanmar army offensive in a decade to a makeshift jungle camp near the Thai border. Hundreds more are likely to follow. REUTERS/Adrees Latif 

Cha Sey, a 16-year-old Karen boy, swims in the Salween River at the Myanmar-Thai border May 14, 2006. Over the last month, more then 800 ethnic Karen have fled the biggest Myanmar army offensive in a decade to a makeshift jungle camp near the Thai border. Hundreds more are likely to follow. REUTERS/Adrees Latif 

Majang, a 16-year-old Karen hill tribe woman from Myanmar, poses for a photograph in Thailand's northern Chiang Mai Province April 14, 2006. Majung, who wears 24 rings around her neck, started with her first ring at the age of four. The long-neck Karen hill tribes are one of many ethnic minorities living in the mountainous regions of Thailand's far north west. 

Majang, a 16-year-old Karen hill tribe woman from Myanmar, poses for a photograph in Thailand's northern Chiang Mai Province April 14, 2006. Majung, who wears 24 rings around her neck, started with her first ring at the age of four. The long-neck Karen hill tribes are one of many ethnic minorities living in the mountainous regions of Thailand's far north west. 

Masue, a 19-year-old Karen hill tribe woman from Myanmar, weaves scarves in Thailand's northern Chiang Mai Province April 14, 2006. The long-neck Karen hill tribes are one of many ethnic minorities living in the mountainous regions of Thailand's far north west. REUTERS/Adrees Latif 

Majang, a 16 year-old Karen hill tribe woman from Myanmar, poses for a photograph in Thailand's northern Chiang Mai Province April 14, 2006. Majung, who wears 24 rings around her neck, started with her first ring at the age of four. The long-neck Karen hill tribes are one of many ethnic minorities living in the mountainous regions of Thailand's far north west. REUTERS/Adrees Latif 

Majang, a 16 year-old Karen hill tribe woman from Myanmar, poses for a photograph in Thailand's northern Chiang Mai Province April 14, 2006. Majung, who wears 24 rings around her neck, started with her first ring at the age of four. The long-neck Karen hill tribes are one of many ethnic minorities living in the mountainous regions of Thailand's far north west. REUTERS/Adrees Latif 

A Karen hill tribe woman from Myanmar weaves scarves in Thailand's northern Chiang Mai Province April 14, 2006. The long-neck Karen hill tribes are one of many ethnic minorities living in the mountainous regions of Thailand's far north west. REUTERS/Adrees Latif 

Majang, a 16-year-old Karen hill tribe woman from Myanmar, poses for a photograph in Thailand's northern Chiang Mai Province April 14, 2006. Majung, who wears 24 rings around her neck, started with her first ring at the age of four. The long-neck Karen hill tribes are one of many ethnic minorities living in the mountainous regions of Thailand's far north west. REUTERS/Adrees Latif