Thousands flee to Thailand after Myanmar army's air strikes on villages - activist group, media

[webfact]

Ethnic Karen villagers displaced from Myanmar's Day Pu Noh village are seen in an unknown location in Karen state, after fleeing Burmese army air strikes, Myanmar March 27, 2021 in this picture obtained from social media. Free Burma Rangers/via REUTERS

 

(Reuters) - About 3,000 villagers from Myanmar's southeastern Karen state fled to Thailand on Sunday following air attacks by the army on an area held by an ethnic armed group, an activist group and local media said.

 

Myanmar’s military launched air strikes on five areas in Mutraw district, near the border, including a displacement camp, the Karen Women’s Organization said.

 

"At the moment, villagers are hiding in the jungle as more than 3,000 crossed to Thailand to take refuge," a statement from the group said.

 

Thai PBS reported about 3,000 had reached Thailand.

 

Thai authorities did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

 

People seek shelter at an unidentified location in Karen state, Myanmar, March 27, 2021, in this image obtained via social media. Picture taken March 27, 2021. THOO LEI NEWS via REUTERS

 

At least two soldiers from the Karen National Union were killed, said David Eubank, founder of the Free Burma Rangers, a relief organisation.

 

"We haven’t had air strikes there for over 20 years," Eubank said. "Second, these were at night, so the capability of the Burma military has increased with the help of Russia and China and other nations, and that is deadly."

 

In an air attack by the military on Saturday, at least three civilians were killed in a village controlled by the KNU, a civil society group said. The militia earlier said it had overrun an army post near the border, killing 10 people.

 

The air assaults are the most significant attack for years in the region. The KNU had signed a ceasefire agreement in 2015 but tensions have surged after the military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government on Feb. 1.

 

The KNU and the Restoration Council of Shan State, also based on the Thai border, have condemned the takeover and announced their support for public resistance.

 

KNU says it has been sheltering hundreds of people who have fled central Myanmar amid mounting violence in recent weeks.

 

(Reporting by Poppy Elena McPherson; Additional reporting by Panu Wongcha-um; Writing by Raju Gopalakrishnan; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle and Philippa Fletcher)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-03-29

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[RichardColeman]

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

"We haven’t had air strikes there for over 20 years," Eubank said. "Second, these were at night, so the capability of the Burma military has increased with the help of Russia and China and other nations, and that is deadly."

About time the UN evicted both Russia and China from the UN, or started afresh without them. Nothing ever gets done when they can veto atrocities 

[stevefronter]

Meanwhile the fat generals were having a party and drinking champagne celebrating their day of shame having issued orders to kill there own unarmed citizens.

Thats not an army it’s a bunch of thugs and criminals with expensive weapons.

It’s for the world to see who China and Russia support.

[Andycoops]

You can't blame them and on the same day that 100 are shot dead, Thailand sends representative (s) to a party held by the s**m, showing yet again what the military Muppets really think of democracy.

[Stygge]

The Myanmar military/authoritarians made a mistake last time and gave democratic forces to much power (even though they granted the military a fixed part of the parliament). They were losing influence and is now taking back the power the only way they can: by force.
They are now determined to do it right now and has enviously looked at Thailand and how the military in Thailand made a much smarter fake democratic constitution. They are now in the process of virtually copying the thai constitution and when finished they will hold "elections".

The secret is to use two "parliaments", one which only army and their friends will be chosen. The other parliament is open for election, but the majority will be granted the army. That way they will have a sort of mock democracy that is much harder for the people to protest against. They do it now because of autoritharians best friend covid let them close down the country and prohibit demonstrations because of covid. Same as Thailand.

[PatOngo]

Absolutely disgraceful behavior from the Myanmar military as the world stands by and watches it happen! Shame, shame, shame! 

 

 

Edited March 28, 2021 by PatOngo

[bartender100]

This is all so tragic, I hope the General hangs for his crimes against his own people that have suffered so much in the past

[mikebell]

Thailand watches (enviously) without comment lest they upset Big Brother  Xi.

[nobodysfriend]

The most difficult thing for me to understand is why the soldiers  , ( most from poor families ) , who just execute the orders to shoot and kill , ( sometimes shooting at friends or relatives ? ) , not just shoot in the air ? But they really kill their fellow citizens .

The only hope that I can see for the burmese in the moment is a ' revolution ' within the armed forces ... may be some soldiers could save a bullet for their own generals ...? But they are threatened with death penalty only for deserting the army already . So , it is the old story of fear and greed that is brought to the extremes here ... human nature .

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56547381

 

Myanmar coup: Generals celebrated amid global fury over massacre

 

Coup leader Min Aung Hlaing and his generals still threw a lavish party that night for Armed Forces Day.

On Sunday, funerals were held, with some reports the military had tried to intervene in the mourning.

 

Images from state TV shared on social media showed military officials, including Min Aung Hlaing, wearing white uniforms and bow ties, walking along a red carpet smiling, and seated at large tables for dinner.

 

 

Edited March 29, 2021 by nobodysfriend

[ExpatOilWorker]

China must be pleased with themselves. Slowly they are transforming the region with each country having a clan or family run leadership turning their guns toward their own civilian population. 

China is taking the proxy war concept to a whole new level.

Once established, funded, supported and protected by China as a nuclear armed regional military super power, this system will be virtually unbreakable. 

They few that yearn for democratic will slowly rot away in crowded jail cells.

[internationalism]

at the same time thailand is forbidding myanmar citisens to protest against the coup - under threat of withdrawing visas and deportation.

 

Thai army is supplying rice to burmese army at Mae Sot. Some 700 sacks by 50kg, so some 45 tonns, were delivered over the border the previous weekend. Burmese army supply routes from the mainland are cut.

 

On saturday thai military attache, together with some other 7 foreign military, attended parade in myanmar army day. There were representatives from Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos. Most likely India and Thailand are also selling armaments. Thailand also might be giving logistics and agreeing to near border bombings. 

Non of asean countries condemned the coup.

 

What's more, thailand is torpedoing indonesian affords to backlash against the coup.

Myanmar junta appointed foreign minister flow secretly to thailand on 24.2 for talks about stopping street protests and crushing burmese opposition organisations in thailand. Burmese opposition is trying to form a government in exile and thailand hosts up to 4mln burmese citisens (the largest diaspora).

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2021/02/24/govt-wont-confirm-burmese-junta-reps-talks-with-prayut/ 

 

thailand was always meddling militarily in the border areas, sending training officers, and with it military equipment. That was for controlling border areas, as well as protecting drug routes, from which thai army profiteered. 

To support myanmar military, they might try to push back those civilians over the border. That's why karen don't disclose own locations

Edited March 29, 2021 by internationalism

[JoePai]

From the Beeb :

Min Aung Hlaing, who said he wanted to "safeguard democracy" but also warned against "violent acts".

Representatives of Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand attended.

 

Thailand has sunk to a new low ????

[RobU]

7 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

About time the UN evicted both Russia and China from the UN, or started afresh without them. Nothing ever gets done when they can veto atrocities 

And the USA who have supported right wing military takeovers when it was deemed a country was becoming 'too socialist'

[sharecropper]

51 minutes ago, RobU said:

And the USA who have supported right wing military takeovers when it was deemed a country was becoming 'too socialist'

The US and Trump and his gullible morons have probably given succor to the fascist junta here for being able to egregiously dispute elections then violently seize power, when previously the idea of protesting democratic elections might have been considered too internationally far-fetched, even for these fascists.

[2530Ubon]

8 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

About time the UN evicted both Russia and China from the UN, or started afresh without them. Nothing ever gets done when they can veto atrocities 

 

They shouldn't be removed, otherwise it wouldn't be united nations, veto's should be scrapped.

In a true democracy, there is no such thing as a veto. Even in the US, the presidents veto can be overturned with a majority rule vote.

Edited March 29, 2021 by 2530Ubon

[spiekerjozef]

What's the point of having a UN if they do **** all ?

 

Is it so difficult to get rid of 1 brain dead army junta? If I use Grab or Bolt they have no problem at all locating me....

 

 

 

[HAPPYNUFF]

I read  representitives from Thailand, China and Russia, amongst other dictatorships. attended the  Army Day (?)  celebrations in Myanmar,    <deleted> always congregates for mutual support.

[nobodysfriend]

35 minutes ago, HAPPYNUFF said:

I read  representitives from Thailand, China and Russia, amongst other dictatorships. attended the  Army Day (?)  celebrations in Myanmar,    <deleted> always congregates for mutual support.

Brothers in Arms ...

 

Btw ... it is against the forum rules to call Thailand a dictatorship . Be careful , or you'll get a warning and a suspension ...

Edited March 29, 2021 by nobodysfriend

[LazySlipper]

5 hours ago, PatOngo said:

Absolutely disgraceful behavior from the Myanmar military as the world stands by and watches it happen! Shame, shame, shame! 

 

 

 

I kinda agree with you... but then when countries like the US try to intervene people say the US is acting as an imperialist state and should mind their own beezwax... 

 

Truth is... who can actually keep peace in the world now?

 

Real catch 22 and it's a shame cos their is no one anyone can really trust anymore.  Something must be done but who will be the bouc emissaire?

[chilly07]

'Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely'.  The same can be said about wealth so it's not surprising the 2 go together. Those at the top always fight to maintain their position not caring what harm they do to those beneath them. Thus the wrong people always end up running every country no matter whether they are aristocracy super rich or dictators. Unfortunately democracy is the only antidote! The ability of the populace to change those at the top at 4 yr intervals is their only protection from the very worst excesses of the rich and powerful. Coups and rewriting 'constitutions' are only ever designed to preserve priviledge especially of the top capitalists and generals. Just because the military lost an election is no reason to slaughter the electorate as there was little chance of a genuine move towards a real democracy with Myanmar's circle of 'friends' all of whom have rich powerful leaders who see no need for their populace to have any say in the running of their country.

Edited March 29, 2021 by chilly07
Caution

[PatOngo]

10 minutes ago, LazySlipper said:

 

I kinda agree with you... but then when countries like the US try to intervene people say the US is acting as an imperialist state and should mind their own beezwax... 

 

Truth is... who can actually keep peace in the world now?

 

Real catch 22 and it's a shame cos their is no one anyone can really trust anymore.  Something must be done but who will be the bouc emissaire?

If the UN had any gonads........................................................!

[herfiehandbag]

9 hours ago, stevefronter said:

Meanwhile the fat generals were having a party and drinking champagne celebrating their day of shame having issued orders to kill there own unarmed citizens.

Thats not an army it’s a bunch of thugs and criminals with expensive weapons.

It’s for the world to see who China and Russia support.

 

6 hours ago, PatOngo said:

Absolutely disgraceful behavior from the Myanmar military as the world stands by and watches it happen! Shame, shame, shame! 

 

 

 

[Nojohndoe]

This latest atrocity in Myanmar has caused a sudden flurry of Thai Air Force activity since yesterday.

I can only wonder what the reaction would be if Myanmar Military were to cross the border in quest of civilian targets? It would certainly test the mood of apparent unwillingness to be critical of  events so far in Myanmar by the Thai Government .

[PETERTHEEATER]

13 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

 

 

.....and tonight we will do the arm wrestling......

[nobodysfriend]

22 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

 

 

I hope that at least one of them was positive ( Covid )

[internationalism]

44 minutes ago, Nojohndoe said:

a sudden flurry of Thai Air Force activity since yesterday.

what has happen?

[pedro01]

"following air attacks by the army on an area held by an ethnic armed group, an activist group and local media said"

 

If this area was held by an armed militia - what's so abnormal about fighting to get it back?

 

[internationalism]

9 minutes ago, pedro01 said:

If this area was held by an armed militia - what's so abnormal about fighting to get it back?

 

because they have targeted villages belonging to civilians, thus forcing many thousands of them to escape into jungle and over 3k across the border. 

that is a war crime, ready for the tribunal in geneva.

 

those villages has never belonged to the government.

 

They were targeted now, because karen militia killed 10 soldiers and taken hostage another 8 in the border outpost

Edited March 29, 2021 by internationalism

[RichardColeman]

3 hours ago, 2530Ubon said:

In a true democracy, there is no such thing as a veto. Even in the US, the presidents veto can be overturned with a majority rule vote.

I would agree, but the chinese and russians would not agree to a democracy that they could not veto  - that's why they agree to this democracy. it has no meaning

[pedro01]

1 hour ago, internationalism said:

because they have targeted villages belonging to civilians, thus forcing many thousands of them to escape into jungle and over 3k across the border. 

that is a war crime, ready for the tribunal in geneva.

 

those villages has never belonged to the government.

 

They were targeted now, because karen militia killed 10 soldiers and taken hostage another 8 in the border outpost

 

If militias hide inside villages - it is they that are committing the war crime. I think the term is "human shields".

 

As for villages that "never belonged to the government" - are you saying that these areas of Myanmar are independent countries? If so - who governs them & who made that decision? 

 

My map doesn't show that extra country anywhere.

Edited March 29, 2021 by pedro01