Pictures courtesy of Matichon

A Thai woman was injured after being shot by Myanmar troops while illegally crossing back into Thailand through a disputed border area in Tak province, raising questions among local residents about the proportionality of the military response.

The incident involved Ms Chanthra, 37, a resident of Mae Pa subdistrict in Mae Sot district, Tak. She was shot in the left thigh and sustained injuries while attempting to re-enter Thailand from Myawaddy, Karen State, Myanmar. The shooting occurred as she crossed through a long-disputed 70-rai area near Ban Tha-at, Tha Sai Luat subdistrict, Mae Sot.

According to reports received on 5 February, Ms Chanthra had crossed into Myanmar to gamble at a casino in Myawaddy. While returning to Thailand, she avoided official checkpoints and instead used a route passing through the contested border zone opposite Tha Sai Luat. During the crossing, she was fired upon by armed forces on the Myanmar side.

The bullet passed through her wallet and damaged her Thai national identity card before striking her left thigh. The shooting occurred in the early evening of 3 February. Despite her injuries, Ms Chanthra managed to flee across the border into Thai territory in a serious condition.

Local administrative officials from Village 1, Tha Sai Luat subdistrict, were alerted and coordinated with the Ratchamanu Task Force in Mae Sot and officers from Mae Sot Police Station. Rescue workers from the Pitakarn Mae Sot Foundation transported her to Mae Sot Hospital for urgent treatment. Hospital officials later confirmed that her condition had stabilised and she is now safe.

Ms Chanthra admitted to authorities that she had travelled to Myanmar to gamble and knowingly crossed back into Thailand via the disputed area. The border zone, commonly referred to as the “disputed island area”, has been under the control of Myanmar troops since the territorial dispute emerged and remains occupied by them.

Residents on the Thai side, particularly those living opposite the incident site, have questioned whether the use of live ammunition against a civilian constituted excessive force. However, no official response or statement has yet been issued by Myanmar authorities regarding the shooting.

Matichon reported that Thai security officials have not indicated whether diplomatic representations will be made or whether the incident will prompt renewed discussions over safety in the contested zone. The area continues to be sensitive due to overlapping territorial claims and its frequent use by individuals attempting to avoid formal border crossings.

Key Takeaways

• A 37-year-old Thai woman was shot by Myanmar troops while crossing a disputed border area on 3 February.

• The woman admitted crossing illegally after gambling in Myawaddy, Myanmar.

• She survived the incident and is recovering after receiving treatment at Mae Sot Hospital.

Related Stories

Myanmar-gunfire-hits-thai-homes-near-mae-sot-border

Army-intercepts-18-Ethiopians-at-mae-sot-border

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Matichon 2026-02-07

 

 

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

and its frequent use by individuals attempting to avoid formal border crossings.

You would think Thai security forces would want to plug that hole then........

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Ms Chanthra admitted to authorities that she had travelled to Myanmar to gamble and knowingly crossed back into Thailand via the disputed area.

Typical Thai approach to life in general and to legal rules in particular: She'll be right & bugger the consequences.

Did she win any money and if she did, was there a hole in her winnings?

'The bullet passed through her wallet and damaged her Thai national identity card before striking her left thigh'. She'd crossed into Myanmar illegally to gamble at a casino in Myawaddy.

If this isn't Karma, I don't know what is.

And the moral of the story is:

Don't go to gambling casinos in Myanmar...

On 2/6/2026 at 9:34 PM, Georgealbert said:

Residents on the Thai side ..... have questioned whether the use of live ammunition against a civilian constituted excessive force.

Use of live ammunition by the Myanmar military against a (presumably unarmed) civilian?

There is apparently absolutely no truth in the rumors that such is an ordinary everyday occurrence in Myanmar.

22 hours ago, topt said:

You would think Thai security forces would want to plug that hole then........

By shooting her?

She gambled & loss ... wonder is she had better luck at the casino.

On 2/7/2026 at 4:35 PM, IsaanT said:

'The bullet passed through her wallet and damaged her Thai national identity card before striking her left thigh'. She'd crossed into Myanmar illegally to gamble at a casino in Myawaddy.

If this isn't Karma, I don't know what is.

Karma?

So in your opinion, a suitable punishment for gambling is to be shot?

Have a word with yourself