Thai officials have built shelters for Burmese refugees fleeing from a fierce civil uprising in neighbouring Myanmar.

Authorities in Mae Hong Son province, northern Thailand, set up evacuation centres on July 16 to house hundreds of Burmese villagers escaping from the raging battle between the army and rebels.

Officials said heavy monsoon rains necessitated more shelters as more Burmese people were crossing the border.

Meanwhile, staff of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees have been speaking with the evacuees to gather more information about the recent fighting.

Burmese media reported that clashes between the military junta and resistance groups have flared up over the previous two weeks. There were casualties reported on both sides, though the exact numbers are still unclear.

Thai officials reported that as of July 15, there were around 8,983 Burmese people living in temporary shelters in Thailand.

The country has been locked in a civil war following the ousting of democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi by the army in February 2021.