Thais clash with Junta troops

Thais clash with Junta troops

Border watchers told S.H.A.N. today that Thai security forces clashed with junta troops pursuing Shan fighters yesterday at the border between Burma's Shan State and Chiangrai Province. 

The clash broke out after Burmese troops pursued Yawdserk's Shan State Army into Thai territory in Mae Faluang District, Chiangrai Province, following the latter's raid of Mahin Htoon Village in Tachilek Township, opposite Ban Pasang Nang-ngern in Mae Faluang District on Sunday, (19 November) netting 100,000 amphetamine pills and 13 drug runners, according to SSA sources. The fight left 2 Thai rangers and 3 Burmese soldiers wounded, said the border watchers.

Area Commander, Brig-Gen. Than Aung, called an emergency meeting with Thai officials headed by newly transferred District Officer, Decha (family name not yet available), on Monday at the Golden Triangle Resort Hotel of Tachilek, demanding Thais return vehicles and weapons seized by the Shans "who launched the attack from the Thai side". 

The SSA statement said the raid by Capt. Kham Khawng of the Kengtung Front resulted in the capture of 2 AK-assault rifles, 1 M16 assault rifle, 1 carbine, 2 pistols, 1 pickup truck and 5 motorcycles, among others. A Thai paper claims among those taken by the raiders were Manit Lodthong, 40, and Boontham Jaiboon, 47, both from Payao Province. It also reported that the pickup truck was a Mitsubishi, number plate Naw-7283 Payao. 

The border between Chiangrai and Tachilek is reported to be undergoing a tense calm, each side reinforcing its forces along the border. The Thais' 600-strong Third Calvary from Nan is taking positions on this side, while troops from Tachilek with civilian porters in both military and civilian trucks were also moving towards the disputed area, said the sources.