Myanmar Refugee Crisis: Impact on Thailand

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Around 1,300 people have fled from eastern Myanmar into Thailand following fresh fighting at a border town recently captured by ethnic guerillas. Karen guerillas attacked Myanmar troops hiding near the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, a major trade crossing point.

The Karen guerillas launched an attack against Myanmar troops, causing the latest clashes.

Thai officials reported that people have started crossing Myawaddy since Friday, following clashes in areas where the Karen ethnic minority has captured the last Myanmar army outposts.

Myanmar’s military has suffered a series of unprecedented defeats since October, losing territory and border posts to ethnic fighters and pro-democracy guerrilla units. The fall of Myawaddy marks a major setback for the military that seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021.

The conflict between Karen forces and Myanmar military, involving drone attacks and airstrikes, has ended by noon Saturday.

Thai authorities are moving people fleeing into safer areas, and footage from the Thai border shows Thai soldiers maintaining guard near the bridge with explosions and gunshots in the background. Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is closely monitoring the situation at the border.

Thailand is committed to protecting its territorial integrity and ensuring the safety of its people, and is ready to provide humanitarian assistance if needed. In March, Thailand delivered its first batch of aid to Myanmar, providing about 20,000 displaced people. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently working to expand its aid initiative.