BANGKOK: The intense clashes in Myanmar's conflict-torn Kayah state has forced more than 5,000 people to flee into Mae Sot, a Thai border town some 15 km from where air strikes reportedly took place last Thursday evening.
Bangkok Post quoted Tak province governor Somchai Kitcharoenrungroj as saying 5,358 villagers from Myanmar had crossed the Moei River to seek refuge on Thai soil.
"Security officials have also extended humanitarian assistance to refugees sheltering in Mae Sot and Phop Phra districts, where those injured are being treated by medics," he said.
Following the clashes along Thailand-Myanmar border, Thai enforcement authorities have also stepped up patrols and enforcement along the border.
Besides that, Tak's provincial administration also warned residents keep their distance from the border as there has been reports of stray bullets and grenades from across the border in Mae Sot and Phop Phra district.
Earlier, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said on Sunday he is "horrified" over credible reports of an attack on civilians in Myanmar in which 35 people were killed.
Griffiths was referring to an incident that reportedly took place on Friday (Dec. 24) in eastern Kayah state.
Meanwhile, The Border Consortium (TBC), a group of international NGOs that providing food, shelter and other forms of support to the refugees in camps in western Thailand, called on the Thai government to protect and assist thousands of people fleeing violence in Myanmar.
"It should stop pushing back people seeking refuge in Thailand or attempting to cross the border as their lives are in danger. Fighting, shelling and airstrikes continue in Kayin state, including in the areas where people have fled. Any returns must be truly voluntary, based on informed consent and carried out in safety and dignity.
"We also urge the Thai government not to push people back to Myanmar because of COVID-19 outbreak... trying to contain the pandemic is not a justification for pushing people back to unsafe and dangerous situations," TBC said in a statement.
TBC urged Thai government to establish clear and systematic screening procedures along the border area, in coordination with the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) to allow people fleeing to seek asylum.
Besides that, it also urged the Thai government to allow UNHCR and humanitarian organisations to independently screen arrivals from Myanmar to identify and support the most vulnerable groups including separated and unaccompanied children, pregnant women, elderly and people with disabilities.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Mon Dec 27 2021
![Thousands flee into Thailand following clashes in Myanmar Thousands flee into Thailand following clashes in Myanmar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/51640615504_Myanmar.jpg)
The intense clashes in Myanmar's conflict-torn Kayah state have forced more than 5,000 people to flee into Mae Sot, a Thai border town some 15 km from where air strikes reportedly took place last Thursday evening. - KNDF via AP
![Jenazah Rozaid selamat dikebumikan Jenazah Rozaid selamat dikebumikan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71724039624_JenazahRozaid.jpg)
Jenazah Rozaid selamat dikebumikan
Jenazah Pengarah Media dan Komunikasi Strategik di Pejabat Perdana Menteri (PMO) Rozaid Abdul Rahman selamat dikebumikan di Perkuburan Presint 20, Putrajaya jam 10.50 pagi.
![Pelabur asing kembali ke Bursa Malaysia dengan belian bersih RM299.6 juta Pelabur asing kembali ke Bursa Malaysia dengan belian bersih RM299.6 juta](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61722341186_BursaMalaysia.jpg)
Pelabur asing kembali ke Bursa Malaysia dengan belian bersih RM299.6 juta
MIDF berkata walaupun pelabur asing mencatat jualan bersih RM74.3 juta pada Isnin, mereka adalah pembeli bersih untuk tempoh berbaki minggu berkenaan.
![Istana Pahang buat laporan polis terhadap Muhyiddin Istana Pahang buat laporan polis terhadap Muhyiddin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71723977329_MUHYIDDINYASINMAH.jpg)
Istana Pahang buat laporan polis terhadap Muhyiddin
Laporan dibuat Setiausaha Sulit Tengku Mahkota Pahang, Amir Syaffiq Hamzah di Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah Kuantan pada Ahad malam.
![Google tidak akan keluarkan Pixel Flip Google tidak akan keluarkan Pixel Flip](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71724038998_tbPixel.jpg)
Google tidak akan keluarkan Pixel Flip
Google tiada perancangan mengeluarkan telefon katup kerana Samsung dan Motorola telah mempunyai peranti yang baik.
![Jing Hong lebur rekod 20 tahun lumba jalan kaki SUKMA Jing Hong lebur rekod 20 tahun lumba jalan kaki SUKMA](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61724038257_tbKhorJingHong.jpg)
Jing Hong lebur rekod 20 tahun lumba jalan kaki SUKMA
Khor Jing Hong mencipta sensasi apabila meraih pingat emas acara 20,000m lumba jalan kaki SUKMA 2024 di Stadium Sarawak.
![Bursa Malaysia dibuka tinggi Bursa Malaysia dibuka tinggi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-08/61659320740_BursaMalaysia.jpg)
Bursa Malaysia dibuka tinggi
Pada 9.10 pagi, FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) naik 3.09 mata kepada 1,626.99 daripada 1,623.90 pada Jumaat lepas.
![Ratusan anggota bomba dikerah padam kebakaran Pulau Madeira Ratusan anggota bomba dikerah padam kebakaran Pulau Madeira](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81724036668_tbvegetationburns.jpg)
Ratusan anggota bomba dikerah padam kebakaran Pulau Madeira
Usaha memadam api kebakaran itu dilaporkan berdepan kesukaran berikutan angin kencang.
![Bekas guru, Mohd Fadzly Ariffadzilah dituduh bunuh Cikgu Istiqomah Bekas guru, Mohd Fadzly Ariffadzilah dituduh bunuh Cikgu Istiqomah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71724036822_Suspek.jpg)
Bekas guru, Mohd Fadzly Ariffadzilah dituduh bunuh Cikgu Istiqomah
Tertuduh didakwa mengikut Seksyen 302 Kanun Keseksaan, yang membawa hukuman mati atau penjara antara 30 hingga 40 tahun dengan tidak kurang 12 sebatan jika sabit kesalahan.
![PM sifatkan pemergian Rozaid seperti kehilangan keluarga dan sahabat PM sifatkan pemergian Rozaid seperti kehilangan keluarga dan sahabat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71724036046_tbMasjidPutraHeigh.jpg)
PM sifatkan pemergian Rozaid seperti kehilangan keluarga dan sahabat
Anwar bersama isteri Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail meluangkan masa hampir sejam bagi menziarahi keluarga Allahyarham.
![Polis rekod keterangan lelaki pandu kereta lawan arus di George Town Polis rekod keterangan lelaki pandu kereta lawan arus di George Town](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41722524750_TBRazlam.jpg)
Polis rekod keterangan lelaki pandu kereta lawan arus di George Town
Polis mengesahkan telah memanggil seorang lelaki selepas rakaman videonya yang memandu melawan arus tular di media sosial.