Burmese Language
Up to 5000 refugees flee into Thailand
Refugees are pouring across Burma’s border into Thailand after heavy fighting erupted this morning in Myawaddy.
Estimates of the number of people fleeing vary – the UN has put the figure at 1000, while eye-witnesses say it is closer to 5,000.
Around 400 people have sought refuge in a monastery in Mae Sot close to the Thailand-Burma Friendship Bridge. A source on the border said that more people were crossing at unofficial border checkpoints close to Myawaddy.
It comes a day after Burma held its first elections in 20 years. Aid groups had predicted that the Burmese junta would step up attacks on rebel groups along the border, but it’s unlikely anyone had foreseen how quickly violence would erupt.
Fighting began early this morning after troops from a breakaway faction of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) yesterday took key administrative and military positions.
Since fighting peaked several hours ago it appears to have quietened, but residents of Myawaddy have reportedly been given an hour’s warning to evacuate the town before clashes resume.
The fighting has however spread south of Myawaddy to Payathonzu, across the border from Thailand’s Three Pagodas Pass. Major Mo Shae from the DKBA said that his troops there had captured nine soldiers from the junta’s Border Guard Force.
Nai Hongsa, general secretary of the New Mon State Party (NMSP), said that people were seen fleeing Payathonzu.
Additional reporting by Naw Noreen
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This is the new dawn of wide-spread crackdown by the military Junta. It has been predicted by experts and nomads having seen the controversial 2008 constitution which gave birth to equally dirty election convened yesterday. Burma will burn in flames. The military had already got the mandate to carry out onslaught on any opposition forces. Neighbouring countries who had cherished the military`s program must bear the brunt of resultant mess they could have prevented before.
DKBA is fighting with SPDC. What are the other AS groups’ leaders doing. Are they donkey or coward.
If they don’t fight through the country as much as they can, all of them should wear Hta Be (Lady longyi).
I am ASHAMED to call myself an American because the United States is sitting on it’s hands allowing this evil, corrupt junta dictate Burma.
Remember the dictator Saddam Hussein of Iraq? How is overthrowing him any different that overthrowing Than Shwe and CRUSHING the current regime of Burma?
Myself and many other westerners are not resting until our governments rise up against this evil dictator of Burma.
I urge the good people of Burma to unite and fight to crush the junta. When the violence outbreaks, the news is made and the UN and the United States MUST intervene.
MEDIA MUST BE ALLOWED IN TO REPORT. Sneak them in, shoot your own video and smuggle it out, do whatever is necessary. WE ARE WITH YOU IN THIS MISSION.
Be strong. Tyranny ALWAYS fails.
“Aid groups had predicted that the Burmese junta would step up attacks on rebel groups along the border, but it’s unlikely anyone had foreseen how quickly violence would erupt.” BUT THEN “Fighting began early this morning after troops from a breakaway faction of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) yesterday took key administrative and military positions.” A non sequitur, and very sloppy journalism – it’s the DKBA faction that started the fighting, not ‘the junta stepping up attacks’!
Don’t expect the help from UN.
UN means Useless Nation and UNSC means Useless Nation Soldier Club for countries which back by China and Russia. China tie the feet and Russia tie the hand, UN only left mouth to talk , not able to take any necessary action.
But if our people are unite we will definitely win.
There were be nothing left when the peoples come back home. Burmese military is criminal and they will take everything they found at deserted home. All Burmese armed opposition groups must show solidarity with breakaway Brig-Gen Saw Lah Pwe’s DKBA and go to fight Burmese army with DKBA. Also exile opposition need to work out how we can attract Burmese soldiers come to defect with weapons to opposition group. We do not have enough money to by arms and weapons as Junta. So we need Junta weapons to our weapon s and Junta soldiers to become our fighters. Without unity, foreign countries do not impress about ability of Burmese opposition armed groups. We have only one goal in our mind it’s we all want to throw out Junta from power. Without unity and support we can not do it. Complete control of Myawaddy under any opposition arm group will make encourage to any one and foreign countries will increase interesting in Burmese cause. We need to reinforce Brig-Gen Saw Lah Pwe’s DKBA troop and need to keep Myawaddy under opposition group. Myawaddy will be liberated land for all opposition groups if we take a chance seriously this time.
Yes we need to do something now .We can’t just let these bad guys run the country any more !