Four evacuation centres ready for those fleeing fighting in Myanmar

Four evacuation shelters have been prepared to accommodate Thai villagers and people from Myanmar as fighting intensifies near the Thai border in Sob Moei district of Mae Hong Son province.

Pongpipat Mibenjamart, mayor of the Mae Sam Laeb sub-district administrative organization, said today that one shelter, at a school about seven kilometres from the border along the Salween River, which demarcates the border between Thailand and Myanmar.

Pongpipatsaid that the Myanmar junta’s air force has carried out daily air strikes on rebel forces near the Thai border. One hospital and 18 houses in Mae Sam Laeb have sustained minor damage from stray bomb shrapnel.

Thai security has been stepped up to prevent fighting from spilling over the border.

Pongpipatsaid that he has asked Thai prime minister to coordinate with the junta to stop air strikes and to create a 10-kilometre radius safe zone.

Border crossing points in Mae Sam Laeb remain open, but cross-border trade is quiet due to concerns over the escalating fighting in Myanmar.