More than 300 individuals from Myanmar have sought refuge in Thailand in the wake of an attack on the military by ethnic armed groups. This development came on Thursday, shortly after the Myanmar junta extended a ceasefire initially established to aid relief efforts following a devastating earthquake.
Since the military coup in Myanmar in 2021, the country has been embroiled in civil conflict, with the junta facing off against a coalition of ethnic armed organizations and pro-democracy resistance groups. Recent hostilities escalated when the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), alongside the Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO), launched an assault on a military base located in Kayin state, merely 2.5 kilometers from the Thai border. According to reports from the Thai military, the attack involved encircling the base and deploying armed drones to drop explosives throughout the day.
By Thursday, officials reported that 327 Myanmar nationals had crossed into Thailand, finding temporary shelter in two designated sites, including a local temple. Thai military and police forces are on-site, providing security and humanitarian assistance to the displaced individuals.
In response to the influx, Thai forces have increased patrols along the border in Tak province, citing concerns over potential breaches of sovereignty by foreign armed forces. The situation remains tense as the Myanmar military government continues to engage in air strikes and confrontations with armed groups, despite the declared ceasefire aimed at facilitating humanitarian efforts.
This ceasefire was initially announced following a magnitude-7.7 earthquake near Mandalay on March 28, which resulted in nearly 3,800 fatalities and displaced tens of thousands of people. However, peace has proved elusive, with ongoing violence complicating recovery efforts and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
