Myanmar: Hundreds of refugees flock to Thailand
A wave of refugees to Thailand has caused ongoing chaos in Myanmar since last February's coup.
Hundreds of people, including many children, have fled Myanmar seeking refuge in neighboring Thailand as clashes between the Burmese army and ethnic minority rebels have escalated, Thai authorities and an organization have said.
About 700 people have taken refuge in the Thai city of Mae Sot after clashes between the Karen National Union and the Myanmar army, said the authorities of the border province of Tak and broadcast the APE-MPE.
Ge Min, an official with the Aid Alliance Committee, a Thai-based Myanmar activist group, said 2,503 people, including 545 children, had sought refuge on the Thai side of the border.
"We are providing food aid and cooperating with the Thai authorities," said Ye Min, adding that most of the displaced were from Lai Kai Kaw and other villages.
The Myanmar army ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1.
Since then the country has been plunged into chaos and violence. Myanmar's army launches violent attacks on junta protesters and civilians across the country.
Clashes between the army and rebel groups have intensified in Myanmar's border provinces. The Karen National Union (KNU) is one of the country's oldest guerrilla organizations fighting for the self-determination of a province of about 1.6 million people.
The KNU said in a post on social media that four Burmese soldiers were wounded and as many others wounded during fighting with the Myanmar army on Wednesday.
