Since the 1990s, Thailand has seen a steady influx of Karen refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing conflict and persecution in Myanmar, particularly from Kayin State, the heartland of the Karen population. The Karen, one of Myanmar’s largest ethnic minorities, have faced systemic violence, forced displacement, and human rights abuses due to longstanding political and ethnic tensions with the central government and military.
The Karen insurgency, led by groups like the Karen National Union (KNU), has been met with brutal military campaigns, including scorched-earth tactics, landmines, and forced labor. These actions have driven tens of thousands of Karen across the border into Thailand, where they have sought refuge in camps along the border. Others have been displaced internally within Kayin State, often living in precarious conditions, hidden in forests or remote areas to avoid military raids.
The situation has worsened following Myanmar’s military coup in 2021, which reignited widespread violence and instability. Kayin State has seen a surge in military operations, airstrikes, and clashes between the junta and resistance forces, including the KNU. The increased militarization has intensified displacement, with thousands of Karen fleeing for safety, either within Myanmar or into Thailand.
Thailand has historically provided sanctuary to Karen refugees but under constrained conditions. Refugee camps are overcrowded, with limited access to education, healthcare, and employment. The Thai government’s reluctance to formalize asylum policies leaves many Karen vulnerable to deportation or exploitation.
For decades, the Karen people have been caught in a cycle of displacement, surviving on the margins of security and dignity. The ongoing conflict in Myanmar underscores the need for international intervention and sustainable solutions to protect the rights and lives of the Karen, ensuring they can live without fear of violence or displacement.
Lae Gho IDP camp recently established for persons of the Karen ethnic minority fleeing persecution and military attacks in their villages in Kayin State. Widwspread terror and attacks against civilians and ethnic minorities have substantially increased since the military coup in 2021, provocing large numbers of displaced persons and refugees. Lae Gho IDP Camp, Kayin, Myanmar, June 2022
Karen displaced mother and her newborn child in a camp near the Thai border in territory controlled by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). They have fled their village after repeated air attacks by the Myanmar military. Widwspread terror and attacks against civilians and ethnic minorities have substantially increased since the military coup in 2021, provoking large numbers of displaced persons and refugees. Kanele IDP camp, Way Lay, Kayin State, Myanmar. June 2022
Three year old child from the Karen ethnic minority living with her family in a rented house just accross the border in Thailand since January 2022. Their village in Myanmar, only 30 km away, was attacked and their house destroyed by air strikes. The Karen population has fled along the border with Thailand where they feel safer against attacks by the Myanmar military but where they live in a precarious situation with all but access to food and medical aid. Ban Pha Dee, Thailand, May 2022
Karen displaced persons in a camp near the Thai border in territory controlled by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). They have fled their villages after repeated air attacks by the Myanmar military. Widwspread terror and attacks against civilians and ethnic minorities have substantially increased since the military coup in 2021, provoking large numbers of displaced persons and refugees. Kanele IDP camp, Way Lay, Kayin State, Myanmar. June 2022
Karen displaced mother and her child in a camp near the Thai border in territory controlled by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). They have fled their village after repeated air attacks by the Myanmar military. Widwspread terror and attacks against civilians and ethnic minorities have substantially increased since the military coup in 2021, provoking large numbers of displaced persons and refugees. Kanele IDP camp, Way Lay, Kayin State, Myanmar. June 2022
A Karen internally displaced family in a camp near the Thai border in territory controlled by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). Kanele IDP camp, Way Lay, Kayin State, Myanmar. June 2022
Karen refugee living in Thailand visiting a camp near the Thai border in territory controlled by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). Widwspread terror and attacks against civilians and ethnic minorities have substantially increased since the military coup in 2021, provoking large numbers of displaced persons and refugees. Kanele IDP camp, Way Lay, Kayin State, Myanmar. June 2022
Ethnic Karen in Kayin State in Myanmar, Lae Gho village, June 2022
Karen displaced children in front of their recently built shelter near the Thai border. Thousands of civilians have fled since end 2021 the widespread terror and attacks orchestrated by the military junta that took over power in Myanmar. Lae Gho IDP Camp, Kayin State, Myanmar, June 2022
Great grand mother, 96 years old, from the Karen ethnic minority. Was born in Bago in central Myanmar from where she moved to Kayin State, A Karen majority State, but from where she had to flee after their village was attacked by the military junta and their house destroyed by shelling. Since January she has been living with her daughters and grand daughters in a rented house on the border with Thailand. Ban Pha Dee, Thailand, May 2022
Informal border crossing between Thailand and Myanmar in Kayin State. Lae Gho village, Myanmar, June 2022
Karen woman in a camp near the Thai border in territory controlled by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). They have fled their villages after repeated air attacks by the Myanmar military. Widwspread terror and attacks against civilians and ethnic minorities have substantially increased since the military coup in 2021, provoking large numbers of displaced persons and refugees. Kanele IDP camp, Way Lay, Kayin State, Myanmar. June 2022
Karen children in a camp near the Thai border in territory controlled by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). They have fled their villages after repeated air attacks by the Myanmar military. Widwspread terror and attacks against civilians and ethnic minorities have substantially increased since the military coup in 2021, provoking large numbers of displaced persons and refugees. Kanele IDP camp, Way Lay, Kayin State, Myanmar. June 2022
Karen displaced mother and her newborn child in a camp near the Thai border in territory controlled by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). They have fled their village after repeated air attacks by the Myanmar military. Widwspread terror and attacks against civilians and ethnic minorities have substantially increased since the military coup in 2021, provocing large numbers of displaced persons and refugees. Kanele IDP camp, Way Lay, Kayin State, Myanmar. June 2022
Lae Gho IDP camp recently established for persons of the Karen ethnic minority fleeing persecution and military attacks in their villages in Kayin State. Widwspread terror and attacks against civilians and ethnic minorities have substantially increased since the military coup in 2021, provocing large numbers of displaced persons and refugees. Lae Gho IDP Camp, Kayin, Myanmar, June 2022
Two and three year old cousins from the Karen ethnic minority living with her family in a rented house just accross the border in Thailand since January 2022. Their village in Myanmar, only 30 km away, was attacked and their house destroyed by air strikes. The Karen population has fled along the border with Thailand where they feel safer against attacks by the Myanmar military but where they live in a precarious situation with all but access to food and medical aid. Ban Pha Dee, Thailand, May 2022
Karen youth playing Chinlone, a Burmese traditional kick-volley played with a small rattan ball. Lae Gho IDP Camp, Kayin, Myanmar, June 2022
Karen displaced person in a camp near the Thai border in territory controlled by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). Kanele IDP camp, Way Lay, Kayin State, Myanmar. June 2022
