Border security stepped up as Myanmar fighting rages
THE THAI MILITARY and authorities are intensifying efforts to protect civilians along the ThaiMyanmar border, aiming to help Myanmar nationals seeking humanitarian aid while also preventing the spillover of violence into Thailand.
Fighting raged near Myawaddy on the border across from Mae Sot in Tak province last Saturday (Apr 20), forcing nearly 1,700 civilians to flee as rebels pressed to flush out junta troops holed up for days at the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge.
Thai broadcaster NBT reported that resistance forces used 40mm machine guns and dropped 20 bombs from drones to target an estimated 200 junta soldiers who had retreated from a coordinated rebel assault on army posts since Apr 5.
Thai military forces responsible for border security are working closely with police and narcotics officers to enhance control over crossings between Mae Sot and Myanmar, particularly in light of the escalating conflict.
The intensified fighting has prompted civilians in Myanmar to seek refuge by crossing into Tak, underscoring the need for stricter border control and processing of bordercrossers, authorities said.
The Ministry of Public Health said 1,686 people had crossed the border to seek temporary refuge in Mae Sot on Apr 20, with one person injured by shrapnel. It said nearly half of the arrivals were children and elderly people.
Skirmishes between junta forces and Karen rebels have started to affect Thai citizens, as evidenced by a stray bullet that penetrated the window of a house. While the window sustained damage, no one in the residence was harmed.
Sunai Phasuk from Human Rights Watch Asia posted a message on X last Saturday saying that more than 1,600 people from Myawaddy had crossed into Thailand after the Myanmar military used MiG-29 jet fighters and helicopter gunships to attack Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) troops earlier.
The activist also shared posts from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukura, saying the government is closely monitoring the situation in Myanmar.
At time of press, PM Srettha was due to visit Mae Sot on Tuesday (Apr 23) to get a first-hand look at the situation.