The Burmese Army’s military offensive has compelled over 2000 refugees from Wor Lay area to flee again to Photphra township in Thailand on November 17.

Ko Du Wun, who assists refugees, said “The refugees are putting up in two places. One is in Thu Mwe Gyi school. About 500 refugees are staying in the school compound. The other shelter is near Wor Lay village. The refugee camp is about a kilometer from the border. There were about 1000 refugees in the camp on November 16. But, the figure increased to over 2000 the next day.”

Thai border guard forces are arranging shelters and providing security for the refugees. Burmese civil organizations, based in Maesod are providing food and medical care for them.

Saw Tontay Sayardaw, a famous monk, staying in Mahachai town near Bangkok, has also arrived at the camps to assist the refugees.

Shwe Tontay Sayardaw came from Maharchai and brought clothes, dry food, blankets, warm coats, toys and milk powder and distributed it to refugees.

Burmese civil organizations in Maesod and Burmese workers, who have been working in the agricultural sector in Photphra township, are also helping the refugees, according to Ko Hteik Thu Aung.

“We brought fruits and vegetables and distributed it to them. Some workers brought dried fish, rice and cooking oil for the refugees,” he said.

Two days ago, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and Burmese Army clashed yet again in Wor Lay area, forcing refugees to flee to the Thailand border.

The refugees fled after the gunfight in Myawaddy between the Burmese Army and DKBA Brigade 5 led by Brigadier Gen. Saw Hlar Pwe, who refused to join the junta’s Border Guard Force.

The clashes started after the DKBA soldiers rejected the November 7 election by taking part in a silent demonstration with arms in Myawaddy.

On November 8, the Burmese Army and DKBA forces fought in Myawaddy for over 24 hours. As a result, thousands of refugees fled to Maesod in Thailand.

Thai authorities, NGOs and Burmese civil organizations helped the refugees. Even though the refugees went back to Myawaddy from Maesod, but the number of refugees increased in Photphra township, Thailand.

The Burmese Army fired artillery shells at the village in Wor Lay area as DKBA forces retreated from their out posts. Scared refugees left their homes and fled to Thailand.