Armed insurgents in southern Karen State attacked the Myanmar Army, forcing about five thousand people to flee across the border into Thailand this week, according to reports from the Thai newspaper Khaosod and the BBC Burmese Service. Approximately five thousand individuals sought refuge in temporary shelters set up by local residents, as per Thai officials and a relief worker. A relief worker told Reuters, "Many people crossed the border since yesterday, and some are still waiting in Myanmar to cross. People do not have enough drinking water or any toilets at the moment."
Thailand stated that its air force is monitoring the situation and is "prepared to send air patrols in case of airspace violations." The regional government added, "The border command center between Thailand and Myanmar in Tak province is working with relevant agencies to provide a safe haven and assistance to all those who have fled the fighting in Myanmar, in accordance with humanitarian principles." The military government in Myanmar, which overthrew an elected government in a coup in 2021, is engaged in fighting with armed insurgent movements across the country amid international condemnation of its violent crackdown on opposition and pro-democracy movements.
