300 flee over border to Thailand from fighting in Myanmar

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About 300 ethnic Mon people have fled from Myanmar into Thailand to escape fighting near their village, between Burmese troops and Mon rebels, according to a border source.

Joint forces of Myanmar’s army and the Karen Border Force on Wednesday engaged the rebel army near the Three Pagodas Pass on the Thai border. The incident happened in the morning when the Tatmadaw (Army) tried to check the border at an area controlled by the Mon National Liberation Army. The Burmese troops apparently failed to inform the MNLA.

Some of the refugees from Myanmar’s Ban Bo Yeepun village, about two kilometres from the Thai border, are staying with relatives in Kanchanaburi province’s Sangkhla Buri district. Others are sheltered in Ban Rassadorn Thai, along the border road, according to the source.

Fighting broke out after about 15 Burmese soldiers tried to enter the village and were resisted by Mon troops. One Mon villager was reportedly injured in the fighting and was taken to hospital.

The army has been ordered to stay alert at the Thai-Myanmar border.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post