Thailand braces as refugees from Myanmar coup flee to border regions

[webfact]

Thai border guards walk a they patrol at Myanmar border in Mae Sot, Thailand March 18, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

By Panu Wongcha-um and Poppy McPherson

MAE SOT, Thai-Myanmar border (Reuters) - Hundreds of people have fled Myanmar's towns and cities since last month's military coup and are sheltering in areas controlled by ethnic militias on the Thai border, an official from one of the groups said on Thursday, as Thailand prepared for a surge of refugees.

An official from the Karen National Union (KNU), which has been fighting the Myanmar army for decades, said almost a thousand people were sheltering inside KNU-controlled territory.

Myanmar's security forces have killed at least 217 people in their crackdown against opposition to the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a civil rights group in Myanmar.

"Hundreds of people are now in our area," Padoh Saw Taw Nee, the KNU's head of foreign affairs, said in an interview.

"Some are strike leaders, some are involved in CDM (civil disobedience), government staff ... deserters of police and military and then also some MPs (members of parliament) and doctors."

He said a smaller number had also sought shelter further north, on the border with Shan state, in a region controlled by another ethnic militia.

More than two dozen ethnic armed groups are active in Myanmar's borderlands, and the KNU is among those that have condemned the coup and vowed to support the resistance.

Padoh Saw Taw Nee said a ceasefire agreement with the government prior to the coup had become "paralysed".

"We strongly support CDM movement and people's demonstration," he said, echoing calls for Myanmar to become a democratic federation.

A spokesman for the junta did not answer phone calls seeking comment.

Thai authorities are bracing for a surge of refugees and have set aside areas to shelter more than 43,000 people in Mae Sot district, according to plans seen by Reuters.

Thai army colonel Prasan Henprasert said border patrols had been increased.

"If there are clashes then we have to assess the situation and have areas prepared," he said.

"Based on our experience, many people may cross and go back when the situation is safer because they have their homes on the other side."

(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um and Poppy McPherson; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-03-19

 

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[ezzra]

Right... with all the sympathy to their plight, steps should be taken to control the influx and make sure no more Covid-19 is coming with them while Thailand is currently have their hands full  battling it's own covid problems...

[sammieuk1]

Looks like out of the oven into the frying pan from the pic for these poor souls should be feed them shelter them save them your Buddhists remember ????   

[Thailand]

A very sad situation and the world talks the talk and remains inactive.  

[Enzian]

3 hours ago, Thailand said:

A very sad situation and the world talks the talk and remains inactive.  

But what can "the world" do? Not a rhetorical question. Invade? The UN invade? The US? The Tatmadaw won't care about sanctions; the generals will always eat. What are practical options?

[nobodysfriend]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

areas controlled by ethnic militias on the Thai border

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

the Karen National Union (KNU), which has been fighting the Myanmar army for decades,

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

the border with Shan state, in a region controlled by another ethnic militia.

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

echoing calls for Myanmar to become a democratic federation.

This is the moment to unite and fight together against the junta to be able to live in a democratic federation in the future .

[hotchilli]

Very sad situation, one which has been simmering for decades.

[nobodysfriend]

Independent United Nations human rights investigator Thomas Andrews told the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva last week that the Myanmar military had committed killings, torture and persecution that may constitute crimes against humanity.

Kyaw Moe Tun, who publicly broke with the junta in a speech to the U.N. General Assembly last month, and U.N. special envoy on Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, have said that no country should recognize or legitimize the Myanmar junta.

Demonstrations also took place in other towns and cities, with security forces killing three people, an activist group said. The authorities placed further restrictions on internet services, hampering protesters’ ability to organise.

In Geneva, United Nations human rights experts denounced forced evictions, arbitrary detentions and the killings of pro-democracy protesters. They said foreign governments should consider pursuing those responsible for crimes against humanity.

Western countries have condemned the coup and called for an end to the violence and for Suu Kyi’s release. Asian neighbours have offered to help find a solution, but Myanmar’s military has shown no sign of seeking reconciliation.

International powers were meanwhile preparing to step up pressure on the junta. The European Union is due to place sanctions on individual military figures on Monday and then target businesses they run. The measures would be its most significant response so far since the coup.

Military conglomerates Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) are spread through the economy from mining and manufacturing to food and beverages to hotels, telecoms and banking. The new sanctions would bar EU investors and banks from doing business with them.

The EU’s expected sanctions follow a U.S. decision last month to target the military and its business interests. Britain last month froze the assets and placed travel bans on three Myanmar generals.

The United Nations food agency said this week that rising prices of food and fuel meant many poor families faced shortages and hunger.

“Whatever happens in Myanmar over coming months, the economy will collapse, leaving tens of millions in dire straits and needing urgent protection,” historian and author Thant Myint-U said on Twitter.

Thai authorities were bracing for a surge of refugees and have set aside areas to shelter more than 43,000 people in Mae Sot district, according to plans seen by Reuters.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics/military-tightens-grip-in-myanmar-as-more-international-sanctions-loom-idUSKBN2BA0BM

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-un/ousted-myanmar-lawmakers-consider-international-criminal-court-says-u-n-envoy-idUSKBN2BA2PQ

[nobodysfriend]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Very sad situation, one which has been simmering for decades.

May be , but the putsch was the turning point .

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

3 hours ago, Enzian said:

But what can "the world" do? Not a rhetorical question. Invade? The UN invade? The US? The Tatmadaw won't care about sanctions; the generals will always eat. What are practical options?

Yes, the UN can most certainly intervene. Will they? I hope so but i doubt it as either China or Russia will veto it. Giving either of those two nations veto power in the UN was the biggest mistake ever.

It is my understanding that China has sent some 200 tech people to Myanmar and they are the ones doing all the blocking and monitoring of internet usage and feeding that info to the murderous military who then goes and arrests anyone they want.

The leaders there should all be shot and <deleted> on!!! Absolutely horrible situation.

China should also be held responsible for their part in this.

[superal]

19 minutes ago, nobodysfriend said:

Independent United Nations human rights investigator Thomas Andrews told the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva last week that the Myanmar military had committed killings, torture and persecution that may constitute crimes against humanity.

Kyaw Moe Tun, who publicly broke with the junta in a speech to the U.N. General Assembly last month, and U.N. special envoy on Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, have said that no country should recognize or legitimize the Myanmar junta.

Demonstrations also took place in other towns and cities, with security forces killing three people, an activist group said. The authorities placed further restrictions on internet services, hampering protesters’ ability to organise.

In Geneva, United Nations human rights experts denounced forced evictions, arbitrary detentions and the killings of pro-democracy protesters. They said foreign governments should consider pursuing those responsible for crimes against humanity.

Western countries have condemned the coup and called for an end to the violence and for Suu Kyi’s release. Asian neighbours have offered to help find a solution, but Myanmar’s military has shown no sign of seeking reconciliation.

International powers were meanwhile preparing to step up pressure on the junta. The European Union is due to place sanctions on individual military figures on Monday and then target businesses they run. The measures would be its most significant response so far since the coup.

Military conglomerates Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) are spread through the economy from mining and manufacturing to food and beverages to hotels, telecoms and banking. The new sanctions would bar EU investors and banks from doing business with them.

The EU’s expected sanctions follow a U.S. decision last month to target the military and its business interests. Britain last month froze the assets and placed travel bans on three Myanmar generals.

The United Nations food agency said this week that rising prices of food and fuel meant many poor families faced shortages and hunger.

“Whatever happens in Myanmar over coming months, the economy will collapse, leaving tens of millions in dire straits and needing urgent protection,” historian and author Thant Myint-U said on Twitter.

Thai authorities were bracing for a surge of refugees and have set aside areas to shelter more than 43,000 people in Mae Sot district, according to plans seen by Reuters.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics/military-tightens-grip-in-myanmar-as-more-international-sanctions-loom-idUSKBN2BA0BM

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-un/ousted-myanmar-lawmakers-consider-international-criminal-court-says-u-n-envoy-idUSKBN2BA2PQ

You forgot to mention China , or maybe not ?

[malibukid]

it will be interesting to see if Thailand offers political asylum for these refugees.   America has suspended deportation of Myanmar nationals.

[malibukid]

1 hour ago, ALLSEEINGEYE said:

Yes, the UN can most certainly intervene. Will they? I hope so but i doubt it as either China or Russia will veto it. Giving either of those two nations veto power in the UN was the biggest mistake ever.

It is my understanding that China has sent some 200 tech people to Myanmar and they are the ones doing all the blocking and monitoring of internet usage and feeding that info to the murderous military who then goes and arrests anyone they want.

The leaders there should all be shot and <deleted> on!!! Absolutely horrible situation.

China should also be held responsible for their part in this.

there's  a new sheriff in town and China will be dealt with

[PETERTHEEATER]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

We strongly support CDM movement and people's demonstration," he said, echoing calls for Myanmar to become a democratic federation.

As long as KNU are in charge......????

[bangon04]

"Based on our experience, many people may cross and go back when the situation is safer because they have their homes on the other side."

great...so TAT can claim them in the tourism statistics......win-win

[Artisi]

14 hours ago, Thailand said:

A very sad situation and the world talks the talk and remains inactive.  

Talk is easy and cheap..... ????

[Artisi]

10 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

 

 

 

This is the moment to unite and fight together against the junta to be able to live in a democratic federation in the future .

Democratic Thai style?