Thai army clashes with Wa

Thai army clashes with Wa

Thai military sources confirmed today that one of its patrols had a run-in with Wa troops yesterday. 

According to the sources, the 30-minute fire fight, 11:00-11:30, occurred along the mountainous border between Burma's Mongton Township and Thailand's Chiangdao District, 100 km north of Chiangmai. No casualties were reported. 

The clash coincided with the Thai Royal Army's massive military exercise, codenamed Surasi 1/3, that began on 6 May until 23 May, according to Bangkok Post report in its 4 May issue. 

Meanwhile, 8 fresh battalions were reported to have arrived in the Homong area, near the Shan State Army's Loi Taileng stronghold. The report, however, is yet to be confirmed by the SSA, though Maj Khurh-Piu, Commander of Loi Tai Leng's security unit, told S.H.A.N. yesterday some unidentified Burmese troops were sighted around Homong, opposite Maehongson Province. 

The Thais and Wa have clashed several times since the beginning of the year.