Thai authorities grant refuge to 110 Kawthaung Twsp residents displaced by fighting near border

By Admin 24 Feb 2023

DMG Newsroom
23 February 2023, Kawthaung, Tanintharyi Region

More than 100 local people who fled fighting between the Myanmar military and local anti-regime forces near Winedin Village on the Thailand-Myanmar border in Kawthaung Township, Tanintharyi Region, have been granted refuge by Thai authorities.

The Thai authorities have provided humanitarian assistance to 110 Myanmar nationals pushed across the border by the fighting near Winedin Village from February 13 to 15.

“The Thai authorities have accepted people displaced by fighting near Winedin Village on humanitarian grounds and provided them with food and shelter. The IDPs are supplied with shelter and food at the request of the Nadi IDP assistance group in Myanmar,” said an aid worker in the border area.

The Kra Buri District administration in Ranong Province, Thailand, has indicated that they will accept more refugees from Myanmar if they arrive.

The fighting near Winedin Village has ceased for the moment, but fearing further hostilities, at least 500 local residents have fled into the jungle near the Thai border.

“There is no fighting near the village and the situation is calm, but locals fled to safer locations due to the possibility of renewed clashes,” said a resident of Winedin Village. “Around 200 villagers including me hid in the jungle and the remaining people fled to the Thai border.”

The Border Refugee Assistance Group said that they welcome the assistance provided by Thai authorities to the local residents of Kawthaung.

“I thank the Thai authorities for helping Myanmar refugees on humanitarian grounds. There is also mutual cooperation between the two sides to help local residents displaced by fighting,” an aid worker said.

Military tensions are running high as junta soldiers from the Kawthaung-based No. 20 Military Operations Command headquarters and the military’s Light Infantry Battalion No. 528 have been stationed near Winedin Village.