Following skirmishes on election day, December 2010, a combined Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) along with a  splinter group of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) take control of the border town of Myawaddy. Shells and gunfire prevail and in a 12 hour period tens of thousands of residents flee across the border, heading towards Mae Sot. International Organisations go into overdrive, working through the night to provide emergency shelter, food, water, and sanitation. Contrary to the line pushed by much of the international media, Thai authorities are largely supportive and hundreds of Thai’s line streets giving out food and drink whilst Thai soldiers maintain order without unnecessary confrontation. 

Unable to holdl the town for any protracted period, within 36 hours Karen forces withdraw and residents begin to return, again very much supported in essential supplies by both International and Thai civilian communities.

Further along the border the Burmese military respond by attacking KNLA and DKBA controlled villages, leading to the flight of villagers into Thailand. Thai authorities try to stop this as well as repatriate those that do cross the border. As a  consequence, many Karen from Burma taking refuge hiding in schools, temples, or with relatives in Thai Karen villages as well as in makeshift temporary camps. Aid and support, sometimes covert,  is provided by both International Organisations and sympathetic Thai Community Based Organisations.