Fighting Escalates at Myanmar-Thailand Border, 200 Civilians Flee
Tensions escalated at the eastern frontier between Myanmar and Thailand on Saturday as witnesses, media, and Thailand’s government reported intense fighting. Approximately 200 civilians were forced to flee as rebels continued their efforts to drive out junta troops who had been holed up at a bridge border crossing for several days.
The resistance fighters and ethnic minority rebels successfully seized the key trading town of Myawaddy on the Myanmar side of the border on April 11, dealing a significant blow to the struggling military government. The junta troops faced a critical test of their battlefield credibility as explosions and heavy machine gun fire were heard near a strategic bridge from late Friday into early Saturday.
Reports from several Thai media outlets indicated that around 200 people had crossed the border seeking temporary refuge in Thailand. Thai broadcaster NBT reported on social media that resistance forces utilized machine guns and drones to target an estimated 200 junta soldiers who had retreated from a rebel assault on Myawaddy and army posts since April 5.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed his concern over the unrest and stated that Thailand was prepared to provide humanitarian assistance if necessary. The ongoing conflict highlights the challenges faced by Myanmar’s military, which has been struggling to govern amidst multiple low-intensity conflicts and economic instability following the 2021 coup.
The capture of Myawaddy and surrounding army outposts represents a significant setback for the junta, as the town serves as a key tax revenue source and a major conduit for border trade. As the situation continues to unfold, both Myanmar and Thailand are grappling with the impact of the escalating violence on civilians caught in the crossfire.