In a fresh exodus over 500 Karen from four villages in Myawaddy Township, Karen state fled to Mawlichai and Maw Kel Htar villages in Phokphra Townships in Thailand on July 25 apprehensive of gun battles in their area.

Locals from Wami Htar, Lay Wal, Sonesee Myaing and Thay Baw Bo village have fled to Thailand to avoid getting caught in the cross fire between the Burmese Army forces and DKBA Brigade 5, a local said.

"We fled our village into Thailand early this morning. The Burmese Army will attack DKBA because the Karen ceasefire group refuses to transform to the junta proposed Border Guard Force. Other DKBA forces have already agreed to change. Some fled because Col. Nauk Kham Mwe saw them escaping," Nan New Yin (37) a Sonesee Myaing villager said.

It's learnt that 218 people comprising 38 families, from Walmi Htar, Lay Wal and Sonesee Myaing village, have been staying in Maw Kel Htar village and about 200 people from 34 families, from Lay Wal and Thay Baw Bo village, are staying in a school in Mawlichai in Thailand. About 100 people have been staying in their relative's homes in Thai villages.

Besides villagers from Mae Kalar Htar, Htee Wamin Htar, and Po Del villages will leave for Thailand soon, a local close to DKBA said.

"I know more villagers will flee to Thailand. With Burmese Army's help, Col. Chit Thu has mobilized his troops to attack Col. Nauk Kham Mwe’s unit. It is learnt that if there is a gunfight, DKBA Brigade 5 soldiers will join KNU," he said.

Captain Saw Kyi from KNU battalion 201 said that "Bo Nauk Kham Mwe will fight the junta’s army. If there is a clash, we will help Bo Nauk Kham Mwe. But locals will escape to Thailand, he said.

Some villagers know why they fled to Thailand but some people followed the crowd, a Thay Baw Bo villager, who escaped to Mawlichai, said.

"I don't know why we fled. Our neighbours were fleeing in batches. We were the only ones being left behind, so we took our goods and fled. However, some villagers have stayed back in the village."

"Initially, I thought we would be used as porters but later I learnt that it's not so. I carried my wife, who is sick and bedridden," a Maw Kel Htar villager who stays in a school said.

Thai Army soldiers compiled the names of the villagers, who escaped from Wal Lay area to Mawlichai and Maw Kel Htar village in Thailand. Wal Lay is located 120 kilometres from Maesod town. Thai village authorities are feeding the refugees rice and curry and provide drinking water.

The latest information is that over 800 people have already arrived in Thailand.

Brigadier Gen. Than Soe, commander of MOC 8 bases in Kyar Inn Seik Gyi Township in Karen state, has ordered Col. Saw Lar Pwel, commander of DKBA Brigade 5, to accept transforming into BGF in totality by August 10.