Phra Phutthabat: Gunfire rang out this morning at the Thai-Myanmar border, creating a tense atmosphere that has left parents unwilling to send their children to school. The conflict involved Karen and Myanmar soldiers exchanging heavy weapons fire near the border in the Mae Sot District of Tak Province. Many families are seeking refuge in bomb shelters as a precaution.
According to Thai News Agency, the clash involved the Karen National Liberation Front (KNLA) and a significant number of People’s Defense Force (PDF) soldiers who launched an attack against more than 70 Burmese soldiers from the 13th Operational Control Division. These soldiers were on their way to reinforce the Thibabo base but were intercepted by Karen forces, leading to an intense gunfight lasting over an hour at the Ban Song Si Mean Sports Field, Sukari District, Myawaddy District. This location is less than a kilometer from the Thai border and opposite Phop Phra District, Tak Province. Additional firepower from Burmese soldiers stationed at the Thibabo base contributed to the chaos, prompting villagers from Moker Thai Village to prepare to use bomb shelters.
The director of Mor Kor Thai School reported that the school opened as usual today, but attendance was sparse due to parental concerns over safety. Many parents opted to keep their children home. Security has been heightened with soldiers from the Rajamanu Task Force, officers from the Phop Phra District Administration, Border Patrol Police, and the Mor Kor Village Security Unit ensuring the safety of teachers who reported to work.
The Thai-Myanmar Border Command Center in Tak Province provided the latest update, noting that 290 Myanmar refugees have fled to seek refuge in three designated safe areas. These include a temporary site at Wat Morkor Thai with 232 refugees, another at Ban Muen Ruechai Temple with 24 refugees, and a third at Ban Muen Ruechai Church housing 34 refugees. Security officials from Phop Phra District are working to ensure the safety of these refugees, adhering to humanitarian principles.