Myanmar Border Fighting Sends Shell Into Thailand

Heavy clashes between Myanmar’s military and ethnic armed groups near Myawaddy on 21 November spilled across the frontier, with a stray shell landing inside Thai territory and prompting a swift response from Thai forces.

According to reports from the Rachamanu Task Force, the fighting erupted late at night in Myawaddy district, opposite Thailand’s Mae Sot. At around 11 p.m., a single heavy round crossed the border and struck a vegetable plot in Ban Mae Kon Ken, Mahawan subdistrict. The blast damaged a vehicle and part of a house but caused no casualties.

The shell was believed to have come from exchanges between Myanmar government troops and ethnic fighters, who have been engaged in intense battles across Karen State. The conflict has escalated in recent weeks, with armed groups pressing offensives against military positions close to the Thai border.

In response to the stray round, Thai forces fired a single 120mm mortar into an open area on the Myanmar side at 11:05 p.m. Officials described the shot as a formal warning under the Rules of Engagement, intended to signal both sides to prevent further fire crossing into Thailand.

For Myanmar, the incident underscores the volatility of the border conflict and the risks of spillover into neighbouring countries. While no injuries were reported in Thailand, the clashes highlight the intensity of fighting in Myawaddy and the potential for regional repercussions.

The Royal Thai Army has assured residents of Mae Sot that its units remain on high alert. Meanwhile, Myanmar’s military continues operations against ethnic armed groups, with the situation along the frontier closely monitored by both sides.

-2025-11-24