Because of the threat of airstrikes, villagers who were driven back to the Burma side of the border by Thai authorities are now afraid to return to their homes in Ei Tu Hta and are finding shelter in temporary jungle hideouts.

According to Thai news outlets, the Thai government has confirmed that it would not intervene in Burma's internal politics.

Burmese military fighter jets bombed over 3,000 civilians in Mae Nu Hta, Kho Kay, and Ei Tu Hta on Saturday. Burmese military jets dropped nine bombs on Day Bu No village in Karen State's northern region, killing three civilians and injuring eight others.

The European Karen Network joined humanitarian organizations in urging Thailand's government to "avoid the forced expulsion of Karen refugees back to Burma." Returning people to a war zone forcibly is a type of refoulment and is illegal under international refugee law.

“Thai authorities blocked humanitarian aid to the newly arrived refugees and today began driving them back into Karen State, despite the threat of more bombings and jets continuing to fly over local Karen villages,” the European Karen Network said in a media statement released today. They have until 12 p.m. tomorrow (30 March) to depart.”

On February 1, 2021, the Burmese military launched a coup, arresting politicians like Aung San Suu Kyi just as the country's elected NLD government was about to begin a new term. As of 28 March, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) had reported 2559 people detained and 459 people killed by the army and police since the coup began on February 1.