Bullet From Myanmar Clash Hits Thai School, Evacuation Ordered

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Intense fighting between Myanmar military forces and anti-government armed groups near the Thai border on 21 November 2025 led to a stray bullet landing inside a Thai school, forcing the urgent evacuation of 345 pupils. The clashes unfolded from around 13:00, opposite Mae Kon Kan village in Mae Sot district, Tak province, creating a tense atmosphere along the frontier. No injuries were reported in Thailand, but the incident caused panic among students during a sports event.

The confrontation began when troops from Myanmar’s 22nd Light Infantry Division launched an attack with full combat gear and heavy weapons on opposition fighters positioned at the Pa Sak base in Min La Pan village, Myawaddy township. Both sides exchanged continuous gunfire with military-grade weapons, while Myanmar support units deployed heavy artillery in arc-fire bombardments. Anti-government forces retaliated by using explosive-carrying drones in repeated aerial strikes.

As the fighting raged only a few hundred metres from the border, a single stray round crossed into Thailand and fell on the grounds of Ban Mae Kon Kan School. The school was hosting its annual sports day and the sound of nearby explosions and gunfire had already alarmed students. Acting swiftly, school director Lt Thawatchai Saengplaeng cancelled the event and instructed families to collect all 345 pupils for immediate evacuation.

The situation continued to escalate as gunfire and explosions were heard without pause, prompting authorities to assess safety conditions daily. Fighting in the area has persisted for more than a month, intensifying anxiety among border communities. Thai security forces maintained heightened alert status while monitoring risks to teachers and children.

More than 100 Myanmar nationals have already fled across the Moei River to escape the violence. Thai military units from Ratchamanu Task Force, local administrative officers, and Border Patrol Police Company 346 have been deployed to protect Thai territory and support displaced civilians. Officials warned Thai residents to avoid border areas due to the danger posed by stray rounds.

Amarin reported that authorities will continue evaluating the security situation as clashes show no sign of easing. The safety of local communities and cross-border refugees remains a priority while both sides in Myanmar’s conflict maintain active military operations near the frontier.

Key Takeaways

• A stray bullet from Myanmar border fighting landed in a Thai school during a sports event.

• All 345 pupils were urgently evacuated as clashes intensified only hundreds of metres away.

• Thai forces reinforced the border and warned residents to avoid high-risk areas.

 Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Amarin 2025-11-23