Stragglers From Myanmar Scam Center Raided by Army Cross Into Thailand as Buildings are Blown Up

Witnesses on the Thai side of the border reported explosions and smoke from the KK Park centre, which Myanmar’s military government and its Border Guard Force allies have been connected with, over the past several nights. According to Associated Press, the Thai army’s Naresuan Task Force said that parts of KK Park were demolished by explosives, causing debris to damage several houses on the Thai side.

The centre lies near Myawaddy, on the border opposite Mae Sot, and the area is described as only loosely controlled by Myanmar’s government. Maj. Gen. Maitree Chupreecha told the AP that 25 people from four nations crossed into Thailand on Tuesday as authorities processed potential human-trafficking victims. The Thai authorities report that those who fled Myanmar came from 28 countries, including Thailand, and are being assessed for possible repatriation.

A Thai regional army commander said that more than 1,500 people had left in the past week, with the number fleeing slowing to a trickle as cross-border operations continued.