Around 200 ethnic Karen individuals have fled ongoing violence in Myanmar and sought refuge in Thailand, according to recent statements from Thai border officials. The surge of refugees comes amid escalating conflict in Myanmar’s eastern Karen state, where local militia groups are engaged in fierce battles with the military junta that seized power in a coup in 2021.
The area has been plagued by conflict for four years, leading to significant displacement and prompting tens of thousands of individuals to cross the border into Thailand for safety. Major General Maitree Chupreecha, the commander of the Thai military’s Naresuan Force border unit, reported that approximately 200 Karen people made their way into Thailand over the last few days, specifically fleeing due to recent bombings and civil unrest occurring just kilometers from the border.
According to General Maitree, the residents were particularly frightened by drone bombing operations targeting military forces on the Myanmar side of the border, prompting the desperate flight across the Moei River into Thailand’s Tak province. He stated, “Approximately 200 people… started to arrive yesterday afternoon,” confirming their ethnic Karen background.
Upon arrival, these individuals have been placed in a temporary shelter arranged by the Ratchamanu Task Force, a fact that was corroborated by a post from the Thai Army unit on its official Facebook page. The general expressed concern that additional individuals might seek refuge in Thailand, emphasizing the intention of authorities to repatriate the refugees once the security situation stabilizes.
Despite a recent ceasefire declaration between the junta and various opposition groups, which was aimed at facilitating humanitarian relief efforts following a devastating earthquake that struck central Myanmar on March 28, killing over 3,700 people, reports indicate that violence continues to plague communities, particularly in Karen towns along the highway leading to Mae Sot, a border town in Thailand. This ongoing instability continues to fuel the movement of people seeking safety from the turmoil in Myanmar.
