FOUR temporary shelters have been opened in Mae Sot district to accommodate over 5,000 refugees who fled the heavy fighting across the border in Kayin state with a new round of clashes between Myanmar junta forces and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) soldiers having broken out early this morning (Dec. 27), Sanook.com said.
Security sources said fresh clashes between Myanmar junta and KNLA units broke out in the Kawkareik township area near the Asian Highway and west of Myawaddy city. This is opposite Ban Don Chai Rim Moei village, Mae Tao subdistrict, Mae Sot district. Some soldiers of Border Guard Force, a subdivision of Myanmar junta Armed Forces, were killed.
At 9 a.m. on Christmas day some shells flew across the border and hit the house of Ms. Sunee Archasuksan in Phob Phra subdistrict, Phob Phra district, and smashed the roof. Fortunately she was in the basement when this occurred and was not injured.
Tak Governor Mr. Somchai Kitcharoenrungroj said the four shelters for the Myanmar refugees are at the following locations:
– Cowsheds at Mae Tao subdistrict, Mae Sot district, 436 people;
– Baan Mae Ku Luang Stadium, Mae Ku subdistrict, Mae Sot district, 994 people;
– Cowsheds at Mahawan subdistrict, Mae Sot district, 3,776 people;
– Ban Muen Rue Chai Temple, Phob Phra subdistrict, Phob Phra district, 152 people.
As of 8 a.m. this morning there were a total of 5,358 refugees staying at these four shelters. They are being taken care of under humanitarian grounds and given food, warm clothing, with a doctor treating their ailments amid strict Covid prevention measures.
The 14th Infantry Regiment has sent soldiers and policemen from Mae Sot and Phop Phra districts to patrol this stretch of the border.
The 346th Border Patrol Police Company has brought in two more armoured vehicles to this zone.
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Top, below and Home Page: The house that was hit by shells flying across the border.
First below: Myanmar junta military vehicles carrying troops to Kayin state where fighting has been raging since Dec. 15. Photos: Sanook.com
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