Thousands Flee From Myanmar Into Thailand After Clashes Between Military, Rebels

Thousands of people have fled from eastern Myanmar into Thailand in recent days as fighting between Myanmar's army and armed resistance groups has intensified in the border area, Thai media and officials said Thursday. At least 5,428 civilians, including more than 800 children, crossed the border by Wednesday night from Myanmar's Myawaddy district to seek refuge in Thailand's Tak province, public broadcaster Thai PBS reported, citing an unidentified security official. It said they fled as ethnic rebels from the Karen minority, allied with guerrillas of the pro-democracy People's Defence Force, attacked two Myanmar government outposts near the border.