BANGKOK - A stream of ethnic Karen refugees fled Burma into Thailand yesterday when advancing government forces were reported to be only one hour's march away, witnesses said. The refugees escaped the Karen village of Meh Pya Kee inside Burma early yesterday and crossed into Suan Phung district of Thailand's Ratchaburi province.
Witnesses estimated there were 2,000 refugees, mostly women, children and elderly people.
The Thai military said that, according to latest reports, between 2,000 and 3,000 Karen refugees had gathered at the border but had not yet crossed into Thailand.