Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will fly to the border district of Mae Sot in Tak province tomorrow, to follow up on operations after clashes in Myawaddy in Myanmar. 

His agenda includes meetings with relevant authorities working in the area, to receive updates on the latest situation, including aid plans for both Thais and Myanmar nationals who have been affected by the ongoing civil war in Myanmar.

Meanwhile, Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, stated that, as of yesterday, about 2,800 displaced persons had fled into Thailand, but 1,200 have already returned to Myanmar.

Parnpree will accompany PM Srettha to Mae Sot tomorrow.

Public Health Minister Chonlanan Srikaew visited Mae Sot hospital on April 20, to assess the situation and offer moral support to the hospital’s medical teams.

Mae Sot hospital has been designated as a medical centre for those Thai and Myanmar nationals who are affected by the fighting in Myanmar. The hospital declared an emergency situation after 22 injured people from Myanmar were brought to the hospital all at once, with seven of them severely injured.

Thailand maintains a neutral position over the strife in Myanmar, according to Parnpree.

Prommin Lertsuridej, secretary-general to the prime minister, said today that Thailand’s position regarding the fighting in Myanmar is to prevent the armed conflict from spilling over the border, to provide humanitarian assistance to displaced persons from Myanmar and to try all means possible to end the conflict without interfering in the internal affairs of Myanmar.

He said that this is not the first time that displaced people have fled into Thailand seeking temporary refuge following heavy fighting in Myanmar, adding that Thailand has previous experience in coping with the situation, but some measures have to be adjusted.

Another issue of importance, said Prommin, is the border trade through Myawaddy township, which has been affected by the recent escalating fighting. It is a major hub through which goods from Thailand are transported into Myanmar.

He said that Srettha has assigned the Commerce Ministry to look into the problem and to help Thai entrepreneurs affected by the fighting.