PHNOM PENH - With the rainy season soon approaching, U.N. officials are trying

new approaches to transporting refugees back from Thai border camps in addition to

train and bus convoys.

Currently, trainloads of 1100 refugees are arriving from Sisophon every four days.

Discussions are underway with the Cambodian Railway Authority to repair and upgrade

four extra coaches for the Sisophon Express.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is also evaluating the

feasibility of transporting refugees by boat on the Tonle Sap during the rainy season.

Already UNHCR has used boats to transport refugees from Phnom Penh to villages in

Kandal province which are difficult to reach by road.

The Royal Thai Air Force has offered the use of Hercules C-130 aircraft to transport

refugees directly from Aranyaprathet, Thailand. UNHCR, which would pay operating

costs, is currently considering the proposal.