Bangkok’s Foreign Minister, Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara on Tuesday announced that Thailand is ready to welcome 100,000 individuals escaping Myanmar, amidst ongoing clashes near a crucial border town.
Thailand shares a 2,400-kilometre, border with Myanmar, which has been embroiled in a civil war since the junta overthrew the democratically elected government in 2021.
In recent months, Myanmar’s army has faced its worst threat as fighting from anti-junta groups engulfs previously peaceful areas of the country.
“We have prepared for a while and we can accommodate about 100,000 people in Thailand’s safe area temporarily,” Parnpree said.
“Thailand is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention, and does not distinguish between refugees and other migrants.
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“Over the weekend there were local reports of intense clashes near Myawaddy town, across the border from the Thai town of Mae Sot.
“Periodic surges in fighting along the long Thai-Myanmar border see scores of people temporarily flee to the kingdom, before returning.
“While there was no mass evacuation, people were coming over the border,” he told reporters.
However, Parnpree emphasised that Thai-Myanmar border remained open, and that trade was still flowing through Mae Sot and into Myawaddy.
“No fighting, trade is still on, although it is decreasing,” he said, adding that trade had dropped by some 30 percent in the last year.
Myawaddy is Myanmar’s third busiest land crossing, according to the junta’s commerce ministry, with some $1.1 billion in goods passing through over the last 12 months.
Earlier on Tuesday Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and high-level Thai officials met to discuss the border issue.
“The prime minister is concerned if the situation gets worse,” Parnpree said.
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