Community Gunfire Crosses into Thailand as Lao Military Base Attacked Near Chiang Rai Border

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Multiple explosions and bursts of gunfire were reported on the 3 May, near the Thai-Lao border in Chiang Rai province, following what appeared to be a coordinated attack on several positions of the Lao military directly across from Wiang Kaen district.

 

At approximately 22:30, residents of Ban Romfahphamon village in Moo 15, Por sub-district, reported a loud exchange of gunfire from across the Mekong River. Shortly afterwards, bullets reportedly pierced the roof of a local home. Fortunately, no injuries were sustained.

 

The origin of the attack is believed to be in the area of Ban Phu Pha Mon, located in Pak Tha District, Bokeo Province of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), just across the border from Thailand. The clash appeared to have initially occurred about two kilometres from the Thai border.

 

In response, Major General Kidakorn Chantra, Commander of the Pha Muang Task Force, instructed Colonel Pairat Srichaiwan, Commanding Officer of the 31st Ranger Regiment Task Force, to monitor the situation closely. Thai military personnel have since increased their presence along the border to prevent any potential spillover of violence.

 

In a formal communication, Major General Kidakorn also contacted his Lao counterpart, the head of the coordination team for the Lao-Thai border in Bokeo Province, expressing concern over the cross-border trajectory of the gunfire. He urged the Lao side to investigate the incident thoroughly and to take precautionary measures to prevent harm to Thai civilians and maintain peace in the border region.

 

The incident has raised concern among residents, especially given the proximity of the gunfire. Thai authorities continue to monitor the area with heightened vigilance and have requested timely updates from their Lao counterparts should any further military activity occur.

 

The situation remains under close observation by Thai security forces, with a continued emphasis on public safety and cross-border coordination.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-05.

 

 

 

[BritManToo]

Who was attacking the Lao military?

And why?

[fredwiggy]

10 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Who was attacking the Lao military?

And why?

Hmong rebels have been at it against the military for awhile, so likely them. Old school hatred still in some perhaps?

[Georgealbert]

6 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Hmong rebels have been at it against the military for awhile, so likely them. Old school hatred still in some perhaps?

Fully agree. No details released by the military, but attacks by small Hmong insurgency groups are not uncommon in certain parts of Loas.

[fredwiggy]

12 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Fully agree. No details released by the military, but attacks by small Hmong insurgency groups are not uncommon in certain parts of Loas.

A lot of people don't know this happens, just like it does in Myanmar but on a much smaller scale, with only a few involved.

[KhunLA]

Having a hard time believing this story.  If a FN FAL round even make it 2+ kms away, I doubt if it would penetrate a roof.

[Yagoda]

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

Having a hard time believing this story.  If a FN FAL round even make it 2+ kms away, I doubt if it would penetrate a roof.

50BMG or 338 Lapua or Norma Mag will hurt you.

[fredwiggy]

7 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Having a hard time believing this story.  If a FN FAL round even make it 2+ kms away, I doubt if it would penetrate a roof.

Rare though it might seem, some have been hit in the head and killed by New Year's revelers shooting guns in the air in the US, from over a mile away. A bullet from many rifles still carries a lot of punch and speed at that range, especially in a head shot.

[KhunLA]

4 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

50BMG or 338 Lapua or Norma Mag will hurt you.

Almost bought a 50 cal, but was a wee bit too much, to spend on my ego.  Damn 8mm rounds were expensive enough.  

[KhunLA]

Just now, fredwiggy said:

Rare though it might seem, some have been hit in the head and killed by New Year's revelers shooting guns in the air in the US, from over a mile away. A bullet from many rifles still carries a lot of punch and speed at that range, especially in a head shot.

That's BS, if talking about shooting a round straight up, and bullet simply falling back at gravity.   

 

 

[Yagoda]

23 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Damn 8mm rounds were expensive enough.  

yeah roll an MG08 with the boys at $1,25 a round, or a 303 Vickers.

 

Or an MG34 at 1200 rpm

 

No wonder the price of those machines has stayed steady, you have to be a millionaire to feed one.

[fredwiggy]

31 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

That's BS, if talking about shooting a round straight up, and bullet simply falling back at gravity.   

 

 

When someone, or more dies, it isn't BS.I'm a gun owner, hunter and sold guns for years, and was totally involved in the trade and stories about gun use. Shooting straight up a bullet does what the video says, but many shoot at an angle, which is deadly if it hits someone.

[Yagoda]

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

When someone, or more dies, it isn't BS.I'm a gun owner, hunter and sold guns for years, and was totally involved in the trade and stories about gun use. Shooting straight up a bullet does what the video does, but many shoot at an angle, which is deadly if it hits someone.

I wouldnt want to get hit by a 50 coming straight down.

 

They still put the 2 mile warning on boxes of .22lr?

[dddave]

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Fully agree. No details released by the military, but attacks by small Hmong insurgency groups are not uncommon in certain parts of Loas.

About 10 years ago, I was in Vientiane.  There is a large arch on a boulevard in the city and I sat down on a nearby bench to take a rest and people watch. Another man, middle aged was sitting on the same bench, his children playing nearby.  We began to chat; his English was perfect.  It turned out he was a Hmong and had lived in Michigan for nearly 20 years.  This was his first visit to Laos since departing as a refugee.  We had a pleasant conversation.  He did say he had to be careful as the Laotian authorities really don't like Hmong and persecute them.

His kids said they were hungry so he and his kids departed.   I was about to depart as well when three men in casual clothes approached me and flashed police badges.  They sat me back down on the bench and started interrogating me about "my friend". They wanted to know exactly what he had said to me. They really pressed me as to whether if I had ever seen him before or if anybody had arranged me to meet him.  It was really spooky.   They were finally satisfied it was a chance meeting and let me go but from that point, I always had the sense I was being watched.  I have no doubt this was because he was an visiting Hmong refugee. 

[fredwiggy]

2 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

I wouldnt want to get hit by a 50 coming straight down.

 

They still put the 2 mile warning on boxes of .22lr?

Tell the truth, I hadn't noticed while working at my store, as the people picked up their own ammo and went to the registers. I rarely used .22 magnum, which is one gun I had, mostly .270 and .243.

[KhunLA]

40 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

When someone, or more dies, it isn't BS.I'm a gun owner, hunter and sold guns for years, and was totally involved in the trade and stories about gun use. Shooting straight up a bullet does what the video says, but many shoot at an angle, which is deadly if it hits someone.

Agree, and yea, people need to act responsibly with all products; firearm, auto, scooter, bicycles.   So many things have a potential to injure or kill.

 

Drunks & firearms, what could go wrong 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Suspected Drug Traffickers Clash with Lao Soldiers Near Thai Border – Two Killed

 

Pictures courtesy of Matichon.

 

At least two Lao soldiers, including a senior officer, have been killed in a fierce armed clash with an unidentified group, believed to be drug traffickers, near the Phu Pha Mon military camp in Bokeo Province, opposite Wiang Kaen district in Chiang Rai.

 

The incident took place over two days, 3–4 May, in Pak Tha district, a border area near the Mekong River between Bokeo and Xayaburi provinces. Lao military forces were engaged in heavy combat with an armed group suspected of being part of a large-scale drug trafficking operation attempting to transit through the region.

 

Reports indicate that Lao authorities responded with reinforcements, including armoured vehicles and troop-transport helicopters. They were able to regain control of the area and reportedly detained several individuals from the armed group. However, there are no confirmed casualties among the traffickers.

 

On the Thai side, the Pha Muang Task Force, including units from the 31st Ranger Regiment and Chao Tak Task Force, has been placed on high alert. This comes after a bullet from the clash landed in Ban Romfah Phamon, Moo 15, Por subdistrict, damaging a roof but causing no injuries.

 

Thai authorities have issued a formal warning to their Lao counterparts in Bokeo regarding the cross-border danger. Security in the area remains tight, with ongoing surveillance and troop deployments.

 

Sources suggest that the clash began when the armed group encountered Lao military patrols while moving through the Pak Tha area, attempting to bypass Thai border defences. The route is known as a corridor frequently exploited by transnational narcotics networks.

 

This is the most serious armed confrontation in the region for some time, raising new concerns about the increasing militarisation of drug trafficking operations along the Thai-Lao border. Further developments are awaited as authorities continue their investigation and efforts to secure the area.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-05-05.

 

 

 

[simon43]

[quote]

...

That's BS, if talking about shooting a round straight up, and bullet simply falling back at gravity.   

'''

[/quote]

 

Thai gravity not same as farang gravity......