Temples no longer safe havens


Seeking sanctuary: Refugees, who fled a surge in violence as the military cracks down on rebel groups, walking across the river on the Thai border as pictured from Thailand’s Mae Sot district. — AFP

Hundreds of Buddhist monks fled two major towns in Myanmar, a witness said, among thousands recently displaced by intense fighting between the military and rebel groups opposed to last year’s coup.

A military power-grab 11 months ago expelled civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s government with mass protests and subsequent crackdowns killing more than 1,400 – as dozens of rebel groups sprang up to oppose the regime.

The Star Christmas Special Promo: Save 35% OFF Yearly. T&C applies.

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.02/month

Billed as RM 96.20 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Aseanplus News

Christmas greetings to all! - Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Thursday (Dec 25, 2025)
Five killed as rescue helicopter crashes on Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro
Don't embarrass Malaysia: Nga slams public littering in city centre
'Starting anew': Indonesians in disaster-struck Sumatra hold Christmas mass
Thai trade deficit widens as imports surge, baht strengthens
Pope Leo XIV urges the faithful on Christmas to shed indifference in the face of suffering
Philippines lifts restrictions on Russian pork, authorities say
Vietnam's Vingroup to withdraw bid for US$67bil North-South high-speed railway
Cambodian PM's wife attends funerals of soldiers killed in Thai border clashes
Thailand says Hindu statue removed to control border area

Others Also Read